T. J. Roulhac High School was a public secondary school in Chipley, Florida. It served as the high school for black students until the public schools were integrated in 1968.
| Roulhac High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
101 N Pecan Street , | |
| Coordinates | 30°46′57″N 85°32′00″W / 30.782549°N 85.5333404°W |
| Information | |
| Former name | Chipley Colored School, Washington County Colored School |
| Type | Public, segregated |
| Established | 1938 |
| Founder | T. J Roulhac |
| Closed | 1968 |
| School board | Washington County School Board |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Schools and Colleges |
History edit
Chipley Colored School was founded in 1938. It was for a short time known as Washington County Colored School. Two thirds of the funding came from the Jeanes Foundation program known as the Negro Rural School Fund, and one third from the Washington County School Board. It was housed in various churches.
In 1941, the school was renamed for its founder and first principal T.J. Roulhac.[1]
The existing buildings were constructed starting in 1950.
In 1968 with desegregation, grades nine through twelve were discontinued and the school renamed Roulhac Middle School.[2] Roulhac students were transferred to Chipley High School, and some to Vernon High School[3] At that time, graduating classes consisted of approximately 10 students.[4]
In 2000, Roulhac Middle School moved to a new campus on Brickyard Road.[5]
Founder and namesake edit
In 1913 T.J. Roulhac, a man with no formal training, became the supervisor of Washington County's black schools. In 1938, the school expanded to include high school, and Roulhac became the principal.
Notable people edit
Artis Gilmore attended Roulhac before transferring to Chipley High School for one week, then went to George Washington Carver High School in Dothan, Alabama his senior year.[6][4]
References edit
- ^ Nelson, Malcom (February 14, 2018). "Community to commemorate 50th anniversary of T.J. Roulhac High closure". Washington County News. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ "THOMAS JOSEPH ROULHAC". Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Maldon Sr, Charles (2010). In the Shadow of Angels. pp. 47–53. ISBN 978-1440197901. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ a b Frenette, Gene (10 August 2011). "After 17 years of waiting, Jacksonville's Artis Gilmore is finally entering the Basketball Hall of Fame". Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Washington County Roulhac Middle & Chipley High Schools". Ajax Building Corp. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ "Bio". NBA.com. Retrieved 27 November 2018.