Prairie Mission

 school, place with historical importance, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic landmark, vernacular (architecture)

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Historic African American school complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Built: 1895 (school); 1937 (church)
Architectural style: Vernacular
Area: 5.27 acres
Also known as: Prairie Mission School; Prairie Institute
Date added to NRHP: 10/29/2001
Other designations: Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage
Notes: The Prairie Mission was built for the education of black children, grades 1 through 9. The school is one of six missions in Wilcox County established by the United Presbyterians of North America (UPNA), a northern educational reform group that advocated for the education of black children. This is the only school of the six that still exists. The school ceased operations in 1958 and today, the only three structures on the site are the school, the church and a modern house. During the time the school operated, there also existed two dormitories (one for girls, one for boys) and a principal's residence, though these are all now gone. There is also a cemetery at the northern end of the site, with grave markers ranging in age from 1908 through the mid 1950s.