Columbus Honors Black History with New Historic Markers

Markers commemorate pioneering historian Henry Edwin Baker Jr. and the first Black public school in the city

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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On a warm February afternoon, community members in Columbus, Mississippi gathered to dedicate two new historic markers honoring pivotal figures in the city's Black history - Henry Edwin Baker Jr., a pioneering historian and inventor, and Union Academy, the first public school for African Americans in the city founded in 1865 after the Civil War.

Why it matters

The dedication of these markers underscores the importance of actively preserving and celebrating the contributions of African Americans, particularly in the face of historical erasure and systemic barriers. Recognizing these achievements is vital for a complete and accurate understanding of the community's shared history.

The details

The marker for Henry Edwin Baker Jr. commemorates his work as a scholar and advocate who documented the achievements of Black inventors, while the marker for Union Academy honors the school's role in providing educational opportunities for newly freed people during Reconstruction despite facing threats and violence. The markers were sponsored by the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau as part of an expanding African American Cultural Trail.

  • The ceremony took place on an unusually warm February afternoon in 2026.
  • Union Academy was founded in 1865 after the Civil War.

The players

Henry Edwin Baker Jr.

A pioneering historian, inventor, and the third African American admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1874, where he faced severe harassment and isolation. He later graduated from Howard University School of Law and became the highest-ranking Black employee at the U.S. Patent office, launching a nationwide effort to document the achievements of African American inventors.

Union Academy

The first public school for African Americans in Columbus, founded in 1865 to educate newly freed people. The school faced threats, violence, and arson during Reconstruction but endured through community support, producing educators, business leaders, pastors, and elected officials who shaped Columbus and northeast Mississippi.

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What they’re saying

“We are standing on the shoulders of giants who made this city what it is today. A city that forgets its past has no way to find its future.”

— Stephen Jones, Mayor (newsy-today.com)

“My Henry stood for what was right. He provided a spotlight for those who could not stand for themselves.”

— Violette Clark Baker, Wife of Henry Edwin Baker Jr. (newsy-today.com)

“Education wasn't even a concept for most Black children during slavery. But that changed right here on this very spot.”

— William Isaac Mitchell, Longtime principal of Union Academy (newsy-today.com)

The takeaway

The dedication of these historic markers in Columbus underscores the importance of actively preserving and celebrating the contributions of African Americans, which are vital for a complete and accurate understanding of the community's shared history. By honoring pioneers like Henry Edwin Baker Jr. and institutions like Union Academy, the city is taking steps to ensure these pivotal stories are not forgotten.