Langston High, an Anchor for Black Community in Tennessee

The school served as a hub for education, culture, and community from 1925 to 1965 during segregation.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 3:15am

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Langston High School was a vital institution for the Black community in Washington County, Tennessee from 1925 to 1965, during the era of segregation. The school provided educational opportunities, a sense of community, and a space for students to thrive despite the daily obstacles they faced. Even after desegregation led to Langston's closure in 1965, the school's legacy and impact on generations of students and the broader community lives on.

Why it matters

Langston High School served as an anchor institution for the local Black community, offering a safe and supportive environment for students during a time of widespread racial segregation and inequality. The school's closure in 1965 following desegregation was a traumatic experience for many, highlighting the complex legacy of integration efforts and the importance of preserving spaces that fostered community identity and pride.

The details

Langston High School was founded in 1925, replacing an earlier "normal" school that had trained Black teachers since 1893. Before Langston, the Thankful Baptist Church served as the main educational hub for the local Black community. The school was known for its strong sports teams and prideful marching band, which drew crowds of all races to Thursday night games. Despite the daily challenges of segregation, students thrived in Langston's supportive environment and felt a deep sense of belonging.

  • Langston High School operated from 1925 to 1965.
  • Desegregation efforts in Johnson City began in 1965, 11 years after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
  • Langston High School was shut down and its students were integrated into Science Hill High School in 1965.

The players

Hezekiah B. Hankal

One of the founding fathers of Johnson City, Hankal was a preacher, teacher, and skilled physician who opened the first African American school in the city in the late 1860s.

Adam Dickson

The Multicultural Engagement Manager at Johnson City's Parks and Recreations Department, Dickson has been working to preserve the history of Langston High School for six years.

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What they’re saying

“We wouldn't dare say we had fun going to school, but a lot of Langston alumni, they seem to have (had) a lot of fun coming to school.”

— Adam Dickson, Multicultural Engagement Manager

“When you think about the period of 1893 to 1965 … society would say a lot about people and there were these spaces where people would be encouraged and challenged and really molded to be their best and to really persevere despite (society).”

— Adam Dickson, Multicultural Engagement Manager

What’s next

The Langston Centre, which now occupies the remaining parts of the former Langston High School building, continues to work on preserving the school's history and legacy, with the help of community donations and engagement.

The takeaway

Langston High School served as a vital anchor institution for the local Black community during segregation, providing educational opportunities, a sense of community, and a space for students to thrive despite the daily obstacles they faced. Its closure in 1965 following desegregation was a traumatic experience, highlighting the complex legacy of integration efforts and the importance of preserving spaces that fostered community identity and pride.