Commemorating the Old School for the Blind and Deaf at Southern University

A new State of Louisiana Historical Marker is now located on the Southern University and A&M College campus at the corner of Swan Street and Henry Cobb Street for the Old School for the Blind and the Old School for the Deaf. The Louisiana State School for the Blind Negroes was started in October 1922, and the Louisiana State School for the Deaf Negroes started in October 1938.
Lynne M. Coxwell, director of Research at the Louisiana Office of Tourism spoke briefly at the dedication ceremony. “The Old School for the Blind and Deaf is one of 882 Louisiana State Historical Markers to date that have been produced since 1950. These schools are examples of perseverance and fulfilling a need in the community,” Coxwell stated.
According to The Archives, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department at John B. Cade Library, the State School for Blind Negroes opened with 16 students under the management of the State Board of Education at the beginning of the school. By 1945, the school had four buildings on the campus of SUBR, 13 instructors and 55 students. The Deaf School added years later had 44 students with 7 instructors. For 40 years the Louisiana State School for Deaf Negroes operated as a predominantly segregated institution. It was the last black deaf school to close its doors.
In 1978, the Louisiana School for the Negro Blind and the Louisiana State School for the Blind merged and became the Louisiana State School for the Visually Impaired. Likewise, the Louisiana State School for Deaf Negroes merged with the Louisiana State School for the Deaf and became the Louisiana School for the Deaf. Both schools are now located on Brightside Lane, south of downtown Baton Rouge on a 116-acre campus.
Alvin Daniels, alumnus of the Old School for the Blind discussed on his personal experience.
“As time progressed, it taught us to be with our peers and people like us. We drew a bond here,” he continued, “It taught us to be someone, to be a man…If it had not been for that, I wouldn’t be standing here today.” Daniels stated that certain family members were blind, so not only did he attend the Old School for the Blind, but other family members as well.
Joseph Sarpy, Alumnus of the Old School for the Deaf described his experiences with fond memories of the faculty. “It was a brand-new school for me and that was where I was going to learn. At first it was difficult, as time went on, I made it through,” Sarpy communicated.
His favorite teacher was Louise Smith. Smith was a teacher at the Old School for the Deaf. One of her instructors at Alabama State encouraged her to work at the Old School for the Deaf. “That’s what I did, once I graduated, I came to Southern University to teach,” Smith said.
Amina Mitchell, junior Disability Services major from Dallas, TX stated how she felt about the ceremony. “I love seeing the alumni of the Old School of the Deaf and Blind coming together as a current student at Southern University who is hard of hearing,” she detailed. “Seeing how people who have similar disabilities as me and hearing what they have accomplished since graduating is amazing to witness.” Mitchell then stated how she hopes to bring awareness concerning the hard of hearing and deaf community to SU’s campus.
Senior political science major Clifford Choates from San Jose, CA stated his views at the dedication ceremony. “It makes me proud to see the support for the deaf and blind members of our SU community. The history our school has, is amazing,” he exclaimed.