February 2006Volume V, No. 4

A Program of the Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

BUILT TO SEPARATE, STANDING UNIFIED:

THE GORDON CAMPUS OF THE GEORGIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

Tiffany Tolbert, African American Programs AssistantHistoric Preservation Division

Prior to the 1830s, the education of the deaf was overlooked inGeorgia. Since most of the African American population wasenslaved during this period, the opportunity for an education

was available to whites for many years before any education forGeorgia’s black deaf population was implemented. The earliesteffort to educate Georgia’s deaf was in 1834 when an act was passedthat appropriated funds for the education of Georgia’s deaf andblind. In 1847 this act was amended and called for the establishmentof a school and asylum for the deaf and dumb in Georgia. TheGeorgia School for the Deaf was established in 1848 by an act of theGeorgia General Assembly. The newly formed institution waslocated in Cave Spring (FloydCounty) and named theGeorgia Asylum for the Deafand Dumb.

Beginning in the1860s, some southern statesbegan establishing eitherseparate deaf schools or“colored” departments in thewhite schools. The first ofthese state schools wascreated in North Carolina in1869. In the following years,Georgia and other statesestablished African Americandeaf schools.

Near the end ofReconstruction era, Georgiabegan to address theeducation of deaf AfricanAmericans. On February 23,1876 the Georgia GeneralAssembly passed an act that

authorized the purchase of a buildingand ten acres of land for theestablishment of a school for AfricanAmerican deaf. The building that waschosen was located on a hill above thewhite campus in Cave Spring. Theschool for African American deafopened on March 15, 1882. Theschool’s first principal was F.M.Gordon. Gordon was born in 1853 andgraduated from Clark University. He

was a Methodist minister,and remained principal ofthe school until his death in1928. Mrs. Maria LucindaGordon served at the schoolin a dual role as both teacherand matron. During their timeas leaders of the school, theGordons became wellrespected in the communitydue to their commitment anddevotion to the AfricanAmerican deaf students.

With the creation ofan African American school,the education of Georgia’sblack and white deaf were

F.M. GordonPrincipal, 1882-1928

Photo courtesy ofGeorgia School for the Deaf

continued on page 2

The classroom building on the Gordon Campus at the Georgia School for theDeaf was constructed in 1939 and is still in use today. It is located in the centralpart of the campus, and was built as the academic building for African Americanson the segregated campus. Photo by Tiffany Tolbert

2

Tiffany Tolbert, continued from page 1

BUILT TO SEPARATE, STANDING UNIFIED:

THE GORDON CAMPUS OF THE GEORGIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

equal by law yet separate in many ways. The black deaf school wasnot adequately funded or maintained. For example, Georgia’s AfricanAmerican deaf school did not receive heat or electricity until 1913.

By the 1930s, building issues were problematic on boththe white and black campuses. After his appointment assuperintendent, Clayton Hollingsworth soon realized that thebuildings on these separate campuses were unsafe and in disrepair.In 1937 a campaign was started to upgrade the schools’ facilities.In that same year, the federal government implemented a repair/building program through the Public Works Administration andWorks Progress Administration. With these additional federalfunds, several new buildings were erected on the white campusand the black campus was relocated to the outskirts of Cave Spring.

A new dormitory and classroom building was constructedfor the black students by Robert and Company of Atlanta. A stonebarn, constructed circa 1892, already was located on the property,and the black students immediately used this building for farming.

The new dormitory, classroom building and Rock Barn officiallybecame known as the Gordon Campus of the Georgia School for theDeaf. It was named in honor of F.M. Gordon, the African Americanschool’s first principal.

The classroom building was the first building completedon the new campus. Designed similar to other educational structuresof the period, it is a single-story, red brick building with a centrallylocated doorway along it’s front façade. The building is still intactand has continuously been used as a classroom building since it’sconstruction. The dormitory was completed shortly after theclassroom building and soon became home to many African

This historic photo of the dormitory on the Gordon Campus was takenshortly after its construction in 1939.

Photo courtesy of Georgia School for the Deaf

American students as well as new teachers who moved to CaveSpring. It is a large, one-story, red brick building with separatewings for boys and girls. It also contains the former dining halland kitchen.

Beginning in the 1950s, another campus improvementprogram began and new buildings were added to the campus. Duringthis time, the dormitory and classroom buildings were renovatedand additions were added. Despite these changes, both buildings

The 1939 classroom building on the Gordon Campusis used for academic purposes and is the home of theschool store. Photo by Tiffany Tolbert

A circa 1892 granite and wood barn already existed on the farm when theAfrican American campus at the Georgia School for the Deaf was relocatedjust outside of the town of Cave Spring. Photo by Tiffany Tolbert

Today, a concrete walkway stands in front of the old dormitory on theGordon Campus and provides a shelter for students. It extends to thedormitories that were added for boys and girls in the 1960s.

Photo by Jeanne Cyriaque

3

still contain much of their historic integrity and are easilyrecognizable as they make up the core of the Gordon Campus.

As medical advancements controlled rubella and thepopulation of boarding students declined over the years, the needfor the dormitory ceased. Separate boys’ and girls’ dormitories

were constructed around thecampus quadrangle, and theold dormitory that is located inthe central part of the campusis presently in disrepair.Asbestos in the buildingpresents a health issue for itscontinued use. It has stoodvacant since the late 1980s,and due to its condition isslated for demolition.

The Georgia Schoolfor the Deaf has been anintegral part of the Cave Springcommunity throughout itshistory. Not only did theschool provide jobs for manyin the local community, it alsocaused a lasting connectionand devotion to the educationof deaf children. Many CaveSpring residents are members

of families who have long beenassociated with or worked atthe school. Katrina Jones isthe third generation of herfamily to work at the GeorgiaSchool for the Deaf. Hermother, Esther Neal, worked asa houseparent for 28 years andher grandmother, JuanitaBoone Neal, worked for theschool for approximately 20years. While coming to workwith her mother, Katrinalearned sign language, and ithelped her to communicatewith the students as well asher deaf sister.

The availability ofqualified teachers willing to teach African American deaf studentsremained a problem for many schools. States such as North Carolinaand Virginia tried to solve this problem by locating their schoolsnear black colleges in order to recruit graduating teachers. Otherstates allowed former students, both black and white, to work onthe black campus in order to fill vacant positions. This practice wascommon on both the black and white campuses of the GeorgiaSchool for the Deaf.

Gabe Sinclair was a student on the African Americancampus during the 1950s. He was born in Jeffersonville, and becamedeaf at the age of five after suffering from meningitis. To address

his illness, doctors removedpart of his ear and vocalchords, leaving him withlimited hearing and speech.For a few years he attendedthe local public school, wherea classmate taught him how toread lips. Since the teacherswere inexperienced withworking with the deaf, he wassent to the Georgia School forthe Deaf (GSD) at the age of15. Sinclair recalls that duringhis time at GSD, there were approximately 75 students on the AfricanAmerican campus. The campus was surrounded by land where thestudents raised their own food. There was also a dairy and theRock Barn was used as a cow barn. As a student, Gabe Sinclairlived in the old dormitory and was trained in brick laying. He playedbasketball for the school and became a barber while practicing theart of cutting hair on his fellow students.

Gabe Sinclair graduated from the Georgia School for theDeaf in 1957. In 1960, Gabe returned to Cave Spring where hebegan a 29-year career at the school. His first job was a houseparent in the old dormitory on the African American campus. Sinclairrecalls that during this time they were permitted to discipline thechildren, but he never needed to result to corporal punishment.“All I had to do was go up to them and look at them, and they wouldstop.” He attributes this to the fact that even though he had fun

continued on page 4

This historic photo illustrates an African American teacher instructingstudents on the Gordon Campus.

Photo courtesy of the Georgia School for the Deaf

A teacher poses for a class photo with herstudents in 1953. Photo courtesy of the GeorgiaSchool for the Deaf

The wooden doors and archedentrance to the main hallway of thedormitory are defining features of thebuilding. Photo by Jeanne Cyriaque

Katrina JonesPhoto by Jeanne Cyriaque

Gabe SinclairPhoto by Tiffany Tolbert

4

BUILT TO SEPARATE, STANDING UNIFIED...

Tiffany Tolbert, continued from page 3

and played with the children, they still respected him. Afterintegration, Gabe Sinclair became the home-life coordinator for thehigh school boys. This is a position that he held until 1989 when heretired from GSD. For the last 30 years, Sinclair has lived in nearbyCedartown, where he owned a barbershop. A father of four children,he presently spends his time fishing and periodically visits the campus.

Integration officially occurred at GSD during the 1960s.As early as the 1950s, children began going back and forth betweenthe white and black campuses in order to play on sports teams.Some of the white students voluntarily chose to live on the blackcampus, preferring it to the white campus. The process ofintegration had many effects on the Georgia School for the Deaf. Itnot only integrated the races, but it also integrated the teachingmethods of the white and black campuses.

In the 1970s, many of the operations of the Georgia Schoolfor the Deaf began to move to the Gordon Campus. By the 1980sthe historically white campus was used mainly for administrativepurposes and in 1985, the white campus officially closed.

All of the operations of the Georgia School for the Deafare now located on the Gordon Campus. Since the consolidation ofthe Georgia School for the Deaf onto the Gordon Campus, there hasbeen concern over its history. Unlike many African Americanresources that are endangered, it is not the buildings that are injeopardy but the history that is attached. John Johnston, a retiredart teacher from GSD, is leading the effort to document the historyof the Gordon Campus. Johnston is currently developing an oralhistory project focusing on recording the experiences of studentsand staff associated with the Gordon Campus. It is his hope thatthis project will aid in teaching future GSD students about thehistory of the school and foster a greater understanding of thesignificance of the Gordon Campus to the education of AfricanAmericans during the early 20th century.

Jeanne Cyriaque, African American Programs CoordinatorHistoric Preservation Division

RETURNING TO THE ANCESTRAL HOME:

THE DANIEL FAMILY REUNION

Since 1973, the Daniel family visits states where their familymigrated from Georgia during the 20th century to host a family

reunion. Like many African Americans, they are interested inseeking cultural heritage sites that reconnect them with places thatare significant to their family. In fact, this family is representative ofthe $90 billion minority travel market, as travelers combine a reunionwith the annual family vacation. In July 2005, six generations of theDaniel family attended their reunion in the hometown of theirancestors: Crawfordville, Georgia.

Crawfordville is the county seat of Taliaferro County ineast central Georgia. Crawfordville was an agricultural town whencotton was booming in Georgia. In the 1860s, the town’s populationwas about 2,900 and 1,200 residents were enslaved. Today,Crawfordville is home to approximately 542 residents, and it is theplace where the Daniel family called “home.”

The Daniel family progenitors are William “Billy” Danieland Adeline Gaines Daniel. Both William Daniel and Adeline GainesDaniel were born enslaved in Georgia in the 1850s. Billy was anentrepreneur in his time. He was a farmer, and after enslavementended, he acquired considerable land.

Billy Daniel was a lifelong member of the Level Hill BaptistChurch. He was a deacon at Level Hill from 1888, and used an oldgin house that he owned to operate the Level Hill Sunday School.In 1896, Billy Daniel was elected president of the Level Hill BuildersClub. As the church membership grew, Daniel was instrumental inthe construction of the present Level Hill Baptist Church.

John Johnston, Jeanne Cyriaque andGabe Sinclair have a laugh outsidethe old dormitory while Gabe tellsstories about some of the students wholived there while he was a houseparent.

Photo by Cherie Bennett

Photo courtesy of the Daniel family

While William Daniel was president of the Level Hill Baptist Church BuildersClub, the church was constructed in 1906 that still stands today.

Photo by Jeanne Cyriaque

55

Adeline Gaines married Billy Daniel in 1875. They weremarried for 56 years and raised 13 children. Adeline Daniel was alocal midwife and active member of the Level Hill Baptist Church,where she was a founding president of the “Willing Workers Club.”

Llewellyn “Lew” Daniel is the oldest direct descendant ofWilliam and Adeline Daniel. He is now 92, and was born inCrawfordville. He lived in Crawfordville as a child, where he attendedLevel Hill Baptist Church and School. He still remembers WilliamDaniel’s house as the finest one owned by an African American inthe region. William Daniel was his grandfather.

Lew Daniel’s fathermoved his family to Springfield,Ohio when cotton pricesplummeted, and eventuallythey migrated to Chicago. In1942, he was drafted for servicein the U.S. Army. He served inthe Pacific in World War II, andpublished a weekly newsletterfor the segregated AfricanAmerican 93rd Division. Hereceived the Bronze Star in1947, but did not actually getthe medal until years laterwhen it was presented to himby then U.S. President RichardM. Nixon.

Inspired by BillyDaniel’s business savvy, LewDaniel saved his military payto fulfill his dream of opening a restaurant in Chicago. After hismilitary career ended, he opened a chain of diners known as the“Hamburger Hub” and successfully operated these and otherbusinesses in Chicago until he retired in his mid-seventies.

Samuel “Sam” Daniel is a member of the second generationof the Daniel clan. He was born in Crawfordville in 1923. SamDaniel is a graduate of Atlanta’s historic Booker T. WashingtonHigh School. In 1941, Sam Daniel entered the Merchant Marines,and served until the 1960s. Sam Daniel was an instructor at theNational Maritime School in New York during his career with theMerchant Marines. He was featured in a Public Broadcasting Systemdocumentary that featured Georgians who served in the ArmedForces during World War II.

Sam Daniel maintainsa second res idence inCrawfordville. He hosted afamily fish fry during thereunion. After his militarycareer, Sam Daniel worked inAtlanta at the Sheridan Hotelas an air conditioning engineerand eventually retired fromFort McPherson, where he wasa boiler engineer. He taught aprogram in air conditioning atthe Atlanta Technical College.

The Daniel FamilyReunion was held at theAlexander H. Stephens StateHistoric Park. The park is named in honor of Alexander H. Stephens,who was born near Crawfordville in 1812. Stephens practiced lawin Crawfordville and served six consecutive terms in the GeorgiaHouse of Representatives. In 1843, Stephens was elected to theU.S. House of Representatives, and served through 1859. Stephenswas a leading southern statesman. He opposed Georgia’s secessionin 1861, but was chosen as vice president of the Confederacy thatsame year. After the war, Stephens was elected to the U.S. Houseof Representatives in 1873, and held this post until he was electedgovernor of Georgia in 1882. He died in March 1883.

The park was constructed in the 1930s through landacquisitions and New Deal programs including the CivilianConservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. Itfeatures tours of Stephens’ home, Liberty Hall, cottages andrecreational facilities dispersed throughout the 1,177-acre site. TheState Parks & Historic Sites Division of the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources manages the park.

William and Adeline Daniel are buried in the Level Hill Baptist ChurchCemetery. The church purchased four acres of land in the 1870s. TheDaniel ancestors’ graves lie east of the church in the oldest section ofthe cemetery. Photo by Jeanne Cyriaque

Llewellyn “Lew” DanielPhoto by Jeanne Cyriaque

Samuel “Sam” DanielPhoto by Jeanne Cyriaque

The Daniel Family Reunion concluded with a barbeque as descendantscelebrated their Crawfordville past at the Alexander H. Stephens StateHistoric Park. Photo by Jeanne Cyriaque

The Daniel Family Reunion represents a growing trendin African American heritage tourism in Georgia. For moreinformation on hosting your family reunion at a Georgia statepark, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275 foran information guide.

6

THE L. AND M. KINDER FARM: AN AFRICAN AMERICAN CENTENNIAL FAMILY FARM

Jeanne Cyriaque, African American Programs CoordinatorHistoric Preservation Division

Each fall, Georgia recognizes historic farms that remain in familiesand have been continuously farmed for 100 years or more.

These farms contribute to the state’s agricultural heritage, and arerecognized each year at a luncheon on the opening day of the statefair. In October 2005 the L. and M. Kinder Farm near Colquitt inMiller County received a Centennial Family Farm Award. The KinderFarm is the seventh African American-owned farm to receive this award.

The Kinder farm had its beginnings with Littleton Kinder.He was born enslaved in Decatur County around 1853. Afteremancipation, Littleton Kinder began to purchase a series of landtracts from A.L. Bowen. By 1890, he acquired 249 acres, and thisfarm is still owned by Kinder’s descendants. The elder Kinder paidfor his farm by selling turpentine sap from the abundant pine treesthat grew on his land. Kinder cultivated his own crops and laboredin the turpentine industry that flourished in southwest Georgia andnorthern Florida. Because he was literate, he aided numerousAfrican American farmers to protect their farms in the Jim Crow era.

The Kinder farm crops include cotton, corn, sugar caneand peanuts. A large garden provides fresh vegetables for thefamily. The Kinder farm livestock includes chickens, cows, hogs,goats, guineas and turkeys. Some of the livestock and honeybeesare sold.

LittletonKinder died in 1937,and by the onset ofWorld War II, hischildren continuedfarm operations witheconomic challengesthat impacted allfarmers during thattime. Many of theKinder descendantsmigrated during thisperiod, especially theyoung males, whowere subjected todeath threats byhostile white farmerswho wanted theirland. The elderKinder males andfemales persevered,and continue to raiselivestock and farm.Uncle “Boss” Kinderdied in 1997, andtoday the oldest Kinder, Martha, who is now 97, is the last survivingchild of Littleton Kinder. In 1952, a fire razed all the original farmbuildings except Rosie Kinder’s house that was built with timberfrom the farm about 65 years ago.

With the approvalof Martha Kinder Payne,the Kinder heirs decided toensure the continuation ofthis African American farmfor another 100 years byforming the L. and M.Kinder Farm Corporation.Only heirs of Littleton andMillie Burke Kinder, thefamily ancestors, can ownshares in the corporation.Thirty heirs made thiscommitment to protecttheir ancestors’ farm.Today, the Kinder farm setsaside 120-140 acres in pineand hardwood trees for areforestation program,while maintaining at least120 acres for livestock andvegetable production.

W. Ray Luce, Historic Preservation Division director,presents the Centennial Family Farm Award to descendantsof Littleton and Millie Kinder. Photo by Jenny Freemyer

Rosie Kinder shows off her collard greens thatare almost as tall as she is. Photo courtesy of the L. and M. Kinder Farm

Willie Kinder, Martha Kinder Payne, DavidPayne and Janice Kinder stand underpecan trees on the farm.Photo courtesy of the L. and M. Kinder Farm

Karl Webster BarnesAtlanta, 404/758-4891

C. Donald BeallColumbus, 706/569-4344

Corinne BlencoeLaGrange, 706/884-8950

Linda WilkesAtlanta, 678/686-6243

Thomas WilliamsKennesaw, 678/445-5124

Isaac JohnsonAugusta, Chair706/738-1901

Beth ShorthouseAtlanta, Vice-Chair

404/253-1488Jeanne Mills

Atlanta, Secretary/Treasurer404/753-6265

THE CENTENNIAL FARM PROGRAM

Isaac JohnsonChairman

In 1992, Georgia joined several states in establishing a program torecognize historic farms. The purpose of the program is to honor

Georgia’s farmers for their contributions to the state’s agriculturalheritage and to encourage preservation of agricultural resourcesfor future generations. To qualify, the working farm must remain inthe same family for over 100 years or the farm must be at least 100years old and be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.Each farm must be a working farm with a minimum of ten acres or$1,000 annual income. Recognition is given to farms through oneof three distinguishing awards:Centennial Heritage Farm Award – This award honors farms ownedby members of the same family for 100 years or more that are listedin the National Register of Historic Places.Centennial Farm Award – This category does not require continualfamily ownership, but the farm must be at least 100 years old andmust be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.Centennial Family Farm Award – this category honors farms thatwere owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more.

To receive an award, an application with supportingdocumentation must be completed. Applicants must submitphotocopies of supporting documents showing original familypurchase, proof of 100 years of continual family ownership, and abrief description of the history of the farm.

Applications are approved and selected by the CentennialFarm Program Committee. Applications are accepted throughoutthe year, but must be received by April 15, 2006 to qualify for thenext award cycle.

GAAHPN STEERING COMMITTEE

Gretchen Brock, National Register CoordinatorHistoric Preservation Division

Jeanne CyriaqueAfrican American

Programs CoordinatorReflections EditorVoice 404/656-4768Fax 404/657-1040

jeanne_cyriaque@dnr.state.ga.us

STAFF

Tiffany TolbertAfrican American

Programs AssistantVoice 404/657-1054Fax 404/657-1040

tiffany_tolbert@dnr.state.ga.us

7

African AmericanCentennial Family Farms

1994John and Emma Jane Rountree Farm

Brooks County1995

Carranza Morgan FarmSumter County

1996Lewis Clark EstateThomas County

2000James Fowler Farm

Worth County2001

Dave Toomer EstateHouston County

2002Zack Hubert FarmHancock County

2005L. and M. Kinder Farm

Miller County

African AmericanCentennial Heritage Farms

2001Carranza Morgan Farm

Sumter County2003

Zack Hubert FarmHancock County

For more information or an application, contact GretchenBrock, National Register Coordinator, at 404/651-6782 or email herat: gretchen_brock@dnr.state.ga.us.

The Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network (GAAHPN)was established in January 1989. It is composed of representatives fromneighborhood organizations and preservation groups. GAAHPN was formed

in response to a growing interest in preserving the cultural and ethnic diversity ofGeorgia’s African American heritage. This interest has translated into a number ofefforts which emphasize greater recognition of African American culture andcontributions to Georgia’s history. The GAAHPN Steering Committee meets regularlyto plan and implement ways to develop programs that will foster heritage education,neighborhood revitalization, and support community and economic development.

The Network is an informal group of over 2,075 people who have an interest inpreservation. Members are briefed on the status of current and planned projects and areencouraged to offer ideas, comments and suggestions. The meetings provide anopportunity to share and learn from the preservation experience of others and to receivetechnical information through workshops. Members receive a newsletter, Reflections,produced by the Network. Visit the Historic Preservation Division website atwww.gashpo.org. Preservation information and previous issues of Reflections areavailable online. Membership in the Network is free and open to all.

ABOUT GAAHPN

This publication has been financed in part with federalfunds from the National Park Service, Department of theInterior, through the Historic Preservation Division,Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The contentsand opinions do not necessarily reflect the views orpolicies of the Department of the Interior, nor does themention of trade names, commercial products orconsultants constitute endorsement or recommendationby the Department of the Interior or the GeorgiaDepartment of Natural Resources. The Departmentof the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basisof race, color, national origin, or disability in itsfederally assisted programs. If you believe you havebeen discriminated against in any program, activity, orfacility, or if you desire more information, write to: Officefor Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C

Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Published quarterly by theHistoric Preservation Division

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

W. Ray Luce, Division Director &Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer

Jeanne Cyriaque, Editor

A Program of theHistoric Preservation DivisionGeorgia Department of Natural Resources47 Trinity Avenue, S.W.Suite 414-HAtlanta, GA 30334-9006