Ringgold dedicates memorial plaque to historic Wilson School

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Ringgold High School and the greater Ringgold community came together on Tuesday to honor an overlooked piece of its past. 

The City of Ringgold dedicated the former Wilson School with a memorial plaque.

From 1949 to 1966, the school served African American students in the community during segregation. 

A crowd gathered outside of Ringgold High dedicating a memorial plaque to the historic Wilson School.

While the building has since become the J-ROTC building for Ringgold High School, many of the alumni who were on hand today say this dedication means a lot for their community who in the past have felt discriminated against.

A former alum of the Wilson School, Robert Harris said, “It’s a good feeling you know. It’s not a question of black or white anymore. It’s Ringgold. You know, it doesn’t even come up, ‘Are you going to the black neighborhood or the white neighborhood?’ It’s just Ringgold, and that’s a good thing.”

The Ringgold High School choir did perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the ceremony.

The plaque is located next to that J-ROTC building’s entrance and has a QR code on the sign where you can learn more about the Wilson School’s history.