By David Abruzzi, Cacapon Preservation Solutions
The school in 1928
As Jamila Jones wrote about in her November 2024 essay "J.R. Clifford: A Pioneer of Equality and Democracy in Appalachia" the history of African-American education in WV, and the fight for equality is deeply tied to Paw Paw. In 1910, the Board of Cacapon Education District – comprised of prominent Paw Paw citizens like Lewis Largent, the President of the Board, and C. E. Wentling, the first mayor of Paw Paw – had purchased two parcels of land adjacent to the existing school properties in order to expand the school grounds for both Black and White students. Yet, by 1913 a new grade and high school for only White students was constructed. Unfortunately, it would be another 15 years before a new two-room brick school for Black students on the adjacent property on Amelia Street would be built. The lag between the purchase of the property in 1910 and the construction of the new schools was likely at least partially due to the limited amount of funds that could be raised via levies for constructing new school buildings throughout Morgan County. The new two-room modern brick schoolhouse for Black students in Paw Paw opened in 1928 with Carroll Dennis being promoted from teacher to principal.
Mr. Dennis taught at the Paw Paw Black School from 1913 to 1918 and again from 1921 to 1936. The break from 1918 to 1921 was due to his service in the Army. As an educator in Paw Paw, Mr. Dennis was respected by both the black and white communities. He was active in the Black Methodist Church as organist for the church choir (despite himself being a Baptist) and was part of the community marching band. Mr. Dennis remained at the school until his resignation in 1936. After Mr. Dennis’s resignation F.D. Graves served as principal from 1936 to 1938. He in turn was succeeded by Dr. Randolph Spencer who had been a pupil under Mr. Dennis. Dr. Spencer remained as the school’s principal until the end of the 1953-54 school year when the school closed following the Supreme Court’s ruling on desegregation.
Dr. Spencer was a vocal advocate on the importance of an education and held multiple degrees, culminating with a Ph.D in biology and two honorary doctorates. Dr. Spencer authored three books and strongly believed music enhanced the educational experience. Due to this he was active in establishing a robust musical program for the Paw Paw Black community.
Since there was no option for students to continue their education beyond the 8th grade without traveling a great distance, Dr. Spencer added a ninth-grade curriculum to the eighth-grade coursework with the following elevated courses being taught: Algebra; Biology; English; and Social Studies. This allowed those students who did decide to travel by train to larger municipalities with Black high schools to complete their four years of high school in just three years. The quality of the education provided by Dr. Spencer, and the building itself, led a Morgan County superintendent to report that when one of the WV State Supervisors for Negro Schools visited Paw Paw the supervisor was driven to tears because of what he observed was far superior to what was offered to other Black students across the state.
Although integration at Paw Paw went smoothly and was completed in 1954, which was not often the case in other areas of West Virginia, it appears there was some confusion over whether or not integration would occur right away. As late as August 5, 1954 the Morgan Messenger listed a teaching vacancy at the “Paw Paw Negro School” for the soon to begin school year. This likely contributed to the 1954-55 school year for Black students beginning cautiously. One former student shared how his first day at the newly integrated Paw Paw elementary school in the fall of 1954 was actually the second day of the school year because Black families in Paw Paw did not know if their children would be welcomed and admitted to their classes. However, in the September 16, 1954 edition of the Morgan Messenger a short article stated the newcomers were warmly welcomed. Former pupils of the Paw Paw Black School went on to be teachers, counselors, military officers, Federal employees, and professional musicians. One former pupil, James E. ‘Schooner’ Spencer, was recognized as “most distinguished West Virginian” in December 1980.
Like other schools during the period of segregation, the Paw Paw Black School also served as the social and civic center for the small African American community. The school hosted a variety of activities and programs for both children and adults. Dr. Spencer established a community band organization called “The Paw Paw School Band and Society”. This band presented concerts throughout the Eastern Panhandle. The school was used for plays, concerts, and even athletic events. These events were often so well attended by community members it required the wall between the two classrooms to be opened to accommodate the large number of attendees.
The school in 2024
After nearly 100 years since its construction, the former Paw Paw Black School continues to convey its historic association with the Town of Paw Paw's education and social history. For more than 25 years the building served to educate Black students, and as a place of social gathering for the small number of Black families in Paw Paw who had chosen to live primarily in the immediate vicinity of the school. The building remains largely unchanged since that time. The important role the school played in Black education and the Black community led to the building being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.
Further Reading
Abruzzi, David. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Paw Paw Black School" (PDF). State of West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Historic Preservation.
https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/WV_MorganCo_PawPawBlackSchool_form.pdf
Evans, Kate. “Paw Paw Black School was a Historic School of Excellence”. The Morgan Messenger, 13 August 2014, pg. 14. http://mgm.stparchive.com/page_image.php?paper=MGM&year=2014&month=8&day=13&page=14&mode=F&base=MGM08132014P14&title=The%20Morgan%20Messenger.
Spencer, Randolph E. Paw Paw to PhD. ESPress, January 1, 1977.
Spencer, Randolph E. Reflections of Scenes, Sounds, and Emotions of the Distant Past. McClain Printing Company, 1991.
Spencer, Randolph E. A West Virginian's view of musical life yesterday and today: With successful techniques for teaching band instruments. Exposition Press; First Edition, January 1, 1982.
