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The Ville, Northside, Riverview
James Milton Turner home
1516 Annie Malone Drive
Open to public / Not Open to public
Not open to public (currently used for administrative purposes)
James Milton Turner (1839–1915) was a prominent African American educator, diplomat, and civil rights advocate from St. Louis, Missouri. Born into slavery, he was freed in 1843 and pursued education despite restrictive laws. Turner attended clandestine schools in St. Louis and later Oberlin College in Ohio. He played a significant role in establishing schools for African Americans in Missouri and was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant as the first African American U.S. minister to Liberia in 1871.
The James Milton Turner School (238 Meacham Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122), originally known as the Meacham Park School, was established in 1925 to serve African American students in the segregated Meacham Park neighborhood of Kirkwood, Missouri. Named in honor of James Milton Turner, the school symbolizes the community's commitment to education amidst the challenges of segregation. The building, recognized for its historical significance, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While no longer functioning as a school, it currently houses administrative offices and is not open to the public.
SOURCE: The historical information presented on this page is adapted with permission from Discovering African American St. Louis: A Guide to Historic Sites by Dr. John A. Wright, Sr. We are honored to share his invaluable research and historical insights, made available through the generous consent of Dr. Wright and the Missouri Historical Society Press. Their dedication to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of Black St. Louis is a gift to our community—a testament to those who came before us and a guide for those who walk the path forward.
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1516 Annie Malone Drive
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Photo Credit: Lincoln University
James Milton Turner Bio - National Parks Service
James Milton Turner and the Promise of America - University of Missouri Press
