Dunbar School (Fairmont, West Virginia)

Dunbar School was a segregated public school located in Fairmont, West Virginia, primarily serving the African American community. Operating during the era of racial segregation in the United States, it provided elementary and secondary education to Black students in Marion County. The school was named in honor of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a prominent African American poet. Like many segregated schools, Dunbar often faced challenges in terms of resources and facilities compared to schools designated for white students. Following the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional, Dunbar School eventually integrated into the broader Marion County school system. The building itself later served various purposes, including community programs, before eventually being repurposed or demolished. Details regarding the exact years of operation and specific programs offered may vary depending on archival sources and historical records.