County Training School
The County Training School was a secondary school for African-American students in Rocky Mount. It consisted of three buildings: a four-room high school, a two-room elementary school, and a dormitory for students who traveled in from the county. These buildings were constructed on concrete foundations. Because of its proximity to Rocky Mount’s first power dam, the County Training School was one of the first schools in the county to have electricity. Cullen Atkins was one of the teachers. If you have any additional details, please let us know and we’ll update this page accordingly.

Meeting of county educators, 1926
The Animo (FCHS yearbook, 1986)
William Bond, Martha Bolling, Ethel Walker, Pearl Walker, Duck Wilder, Elmer Patterson, Willie B. Helms, Gertrude Preston, Clair Saunders, Martha Brown, Mrs. Shelton, Mr. Terry, Irene Preston, Lucy Hick, Martha Goode, Mannie Holland, Josephine Wade, Hazel Tinsley, and Tabitha Dudley

Faculty of County Training School, 1933-34
The Animo (FCHS yearbook, 1986)
Charles Scruggs (principal), Jean Jackson, Mattie Eggleston, Mamie Holland, Artie Gwaultney, and Claudius Toles

County Training School, 1935
Archie G. Richardson papers, Special Collections
Virginia State University

County Training School, 1935-1936
Archie G. Richardson papers, Special Collections
Virginia State University

County Training School, c. 1930s
Archie G. Richardson papers, Special Collections
Virginia State University

County Training School, 1931-32
Archie G. Richardson papers, Special Collections
Virginia State University

Blueprints for addition to County Training School, 1947
Smithey-Boynton papers, Special Collections
Virginia Tech

Blueprints for addition to County Training School, 1947
Smithey-Boynton papers, Special Collections
Virginia Tech

Blueprints for addition to County Training School, 1947
Smithey-Boynton papers, Special Collections
Virginia Tech

County Training School (circled),
schoolhouse map of Franklin County,
Virginia State Planning Board, 1935