Dr. Fears poses before Carver School
“As the great Dr. King said, ‘Education is the Equalizer,’ and there’s no future without Education,” is what Dr. Fears told us recently regarding the commemorative monument dedicated to Carver High (Elementary, Middle) School.
George W. Carver High School Alumni and Alumni Project Chairman, Dr. Gordon R. Fears, along with Mayor Kenneth E. Gulley, Councilman Jarvis Collier, and other city officials, thought it necessary to memorialize the site where Carver School once stood with a historical marker during an unveiling ceremony in May 2025.
The corner of 600 2nd Ave. North (originally 4th Ave. & 10th Street) now holds a distinguishable small gazebo-like structure with small plants and a bench, along with bronze plaques and small artifacts that commemorate the memory of a place that provided educational services to many in Bessemer.
Named after the famous agricultural scientist and inventor, George Washington Carver, the school served Bessemer’s Jonesboro community from 1917–1970 during the days of segregation and Jim Crow laws that prevented African-American students from access to other schools, institutions, and opportunities.
Carver, along with Dunbar-Abrams, were staples within the African-American communities of Bessemer during these times and opened doors of opportunity and possibilities for students when the masses refused.
A retired educator and school principal, Dr. Fears believes in remembering a time that many know nothing about or have forgotten, yet one that can provide historical lessons so the next generations will not repeat the flaws and negative attitudes that contributed to the setbacks that plagued so many during those times.
“The Bessemer of today is what it is because of educators that understood the importance of education. We wanted to remember the efforts of those that gave us the chance to know that we are somebody in this world and to become successful and come back and give back to our communities.
It’s important that we have a place to point back to because we want others to know that we did and do exist and want to emphasize the importance of education, and we want to make sure our history isn’t erased nor compromised so our youth can benefit from such knowledge.”
We honor the George Washington Carver Bulldogs and Carver staff members:
Principals:
Mr. James I. Cobb
Mr. W.B. Taylor
Mr. William Murray
Mr. John E. Dawson
Ms. Corrie Sherrell
Mr. E. Paul Jones
Mrs. Rosland Marcus
Mr. A.D. Saunders
We also recognize current Bessemer City officials for acknowledging the efforts of the George W. Carver National Alumni Association.
Don’t miss visiting this historical site, right around the corner from many of us, that shares knowledge of the past — knowledge that can open doors to a greater future and tomorrow for all.