FIRST CLASSES ESTABLISHED IN 1934 FOR SIXTEEN STUDENTS. ELLA D. SALES TAUGHT GRADES 1-7 IN ONE ROOM BUILDING AT S. MUSKINGUM, MYRTLE STREETS. ENROLLMENT GREW RAPIDLY TO 93 STUDENTS BY 1939 WHEN FRANK EVERETT WAS PRINCIPAL. UPPER GRADES, FOUR NEW CLASSROOMS ADDED BY 1948. STUDENTS EXCELLED IN ACADEMIC, SPORTS COMPETITIONS. GRADES SPLIT NOVEMBER 15, 1948 WHEN MODERN BLACKSHEAR HIGH WAS BUILT ON 20.7 ACRES BETWEEN E. MURPHY, MIDWAY AND MORNINGNSIDE STREETS. R.W. WHITE BECAME FIRST PRINCIPAL. FRED DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY AND COUNTY LIBRARY FOR NEGROES REMAINED IN ORIGINAL BUILDING WITH EDWARD K. DOWNING AS PRINCIPAL. EARLY SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED PROUD EDUCATIONAL LEGACY FOR ODESSA'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN CITIZENS.

NO. 13         HERITAGE OF ODESSA FOUNDATION         1990