Lincoln Academy (Kings Mountain, North Carolina) facts for kids
Lincoln Academy was a special school in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, for African-American children. It taught students from elementary grades all the way through high school. Some students even lived at the school in dorms. Miss E. C. Prudden started the school in 1886.
In 1888, a group called the American Missionary Association (AMA) took over running the school. The next year, in 1889, Lincoln Academy became a co-educational school, meaning both boys and girls could attend.
Where Was Lincoln Academy Located?
The school was built on 50 acres of land near a place called All Healing Springs. It was at the bottom of Crowders Mountain. The school was about 4 miles southeast of Kings Mountain and 4 miles west of Gastonia. It was also located on a main highway that connected New York City and Atlanta.
A Look Back at Lincoln Academy's History
Lincoln Academy first opened in 1866, after the American Civil War. It was started by E. C. Pruden, a young missionary from Massachusetts, as a school for African-American girls. In 1888, the American Missionary Association (AMA) began to manage the school. The AMA had already opened many schools in the Southern states for formerly enslaved people, known as freedmen, and their children.
The AMA ran Lincoln Academy for over 20 years. In 1889, boys were also allowed to attend, making it a school for both genders. During this time, there were very few schools for African-American children in the rural South because of segregation. Lincoln Academy aimed to give these children a strong education.
Over the next ten years, more students enrolled. New buildings were constructed, and dormitories were added for students who lived there. Cathcart Memorial Hall was built in 1900, and more buildings followed over the next two decades.
By 1916, Lincoln Academy had 12 teachers and more than 200 students. About 68 of these students lived at the school, while others came from nearby areas for the day. The academy had 11 buildings. Teachers also held weekly meetings for mothers and led reading groups. The pastor of the Lincoln Academy Church also played a role in guiding the school's lessons.
Principal I. Alva Hart once explained the challenges and goals of teaching at Lincoln Academy. He said that teachers didn't just teach subjects. They also taught students how to think for themselves. He noted that many students had a small vocabulary and struggled with understanding complex ideas. Teachers had to be creative to keep students' attention and help them learn. He also mentioned that students sometimes used informal language from home. Despite these challenges, he was happy to see most students working hard to prepare for their future lives.
In 1922, the state of North Carolina began to change Lincoln Academy into a public school. The school added an eighth-grade program in 1938–39. At that time, it also received official approval from the North Carolina State Board of Education. In 1943, the AMA tried to get the local community more involved in the school. The next year, Edgar D. Wilson was appointed as the new director.
In 1947, Gaston County took over running the school. However, the AMA continued to support the boarding students. Lincoln Academy finally closed in 1955. This happened when the state and county opened new public schools specifically for African-American students.
Famous Students Who Attended Lincoln Academy
- John T. Biggers: A famous muralist (a painter of large wall paintings). He became well-known after World War II and started the art department at Texas Southern University.
- Otto Briggs: A baseball outfielder who played in the Negro leagues. He played from 1915 to 1934, mostly for the Hilldale Club and the Bacharach Giants teams.
- Ivan Dixon: An actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his role in the 1960s TV show Hogan's Heroes.
