The community of Arkadelphia was formed near the City of Maud in Bowie County in the mid to late 1800’s to serve the African American community following the Civil War. As it grew, the need for a school became a reality.
Built in the 1920s, the Arkadelphia School was part of a program established by Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington to build African American schools across the South. The program provided a matching grant to communities, which meant that the community had to organize cash, material, and labor donations. The community successfully rallied, and a three room schoolhouse was constructed. The school taught stu- through 12th grade until the late 1940s, when the high school students were consolidated into Central High School in New Boston. The school continued operating until 1956-66, when remaining students were integrated into the Maud school system. The Rosenwald School in Arkadelphia became a community center until 1993 when the school was demolished for a new church.
To commemorate and honor the history of the community and the school, the Bowie County Historical Commission, with much help from members of the church and community, sought to have an official historical marker from the State of Texas placed at the site. This past Saturday, their efforts became a reality as a Texas Historical Commission marker was dedicated.
