File:Lincoln High School in Frederick, 1923.jpg

Summary

Lincoln High School in Frederick, 1923.

Prior to 1920, there was no high school for African-American students in Frederick County. After the seventh grade, they had three options: 1) Seek jobs in community as farm hands, janitors, domestics, waiters or bellhops. 2) Seek better employment outside of Frederick. 3) Continue education outside of Frederick.

Prior to the 1960s, the Frederick County public schools were segregated. In Frederick City, there were two elementary schools for black students. The West Seventh Street School located 16 W. 7th St. (once the Odd Fellows Hall, later the home of the Fraternal Order of Police). The South Bentz Street School was located where the present Lincoln Apartments are now, just to the west end of W. All Saints St.

In 1920, Mr. John Bruner, a Frederick County native and supervisor of “Colored” Schools, petitioned the local BOE and State superintendent to build a high school “for blacks” and on Sept. 5th 1920, 28 students enrolled in the first high school. The “Colored High School” was located at 170 W. All Saints St. (now the parking lot for the Elks Lodge). Mr. Maurice Reid served as principal and teacher. As enrollment increased the BOE had to find a larger facility. The property on Madison St. was purchased to build the Lincoln High School.

In 1923, students enrolled in the new Lincoln High. The following year, in June 1924, Lincoln held its first graduation. 12 of the 28 from the West All Saints High received their diplomas. In 1939, again due to increased enrollment the two elementary schools were combined into the All Saints school building.

Students from all over the county, including Brunswick, were bussed here to attend high school. if they chose to do so..

On May 17th, 1954, in the case Brown v. Board of Education segregation was ruled unconstitutional. Frederick County BOE set about the integration of their school. The BOE decided to start with the elementary schools. Under the guidance of Mr. Eugene Pruitt, Superintendent of Schools and Mr. Charles E. Henson, Supervisor of Colored Schools the plan was worked out. In 1956 Brunswick Elementary became the first school. The Black Elementary school having been destroyed by fire was not rebuilt and those students were integrated into Brunswick’s White Elementary school.

Between 1956 and 1960, students from Lincoln were “given permission” to attend Frederick High to pursue curricula not offered at Lincoln. West Frederick Jr, High was opened for classes in Sept. 1958. Black seventh graders and White seventh graders were integrated in the new school.

By the end of 1961-62 school year, only the eleventh and twelfth grades were still attending Lincoln High. Beginning in the 1962-63 school year the classes at Lincoln were integrated with Frederick High.

Later, Frederick County was recognized by the state for the smooth and orderly manner in which the school system was integrated.

(Photo courtesy of to You're Probably From Frederick, Md, If You Remember...; information from Black Education 1920-1960 via John Wayne Droneburg)

Smoketown History (Brunswick, Md.) Kudos to Brunswick natives Superintendent Eugene Pruitt and Principal E. Virginia Wenner for pioneering desegregation at Brunswick Elementary School in 1956.