Ouachita County Training School, An All-Black School During Segregation, Is Listed On The National Register of Historic Places

Bearden, AR (September 12, 2023) – The Ouachita Country Training School (OCTS) has been selected for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. OCTS served as the educational hub for hundreds of African American students in Bearden, Arkansas, from 1949-1971 during an era of segregation that ended with the Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education.

“We started this process with a goal to preserve a key part of America’s commitment to educating its youth,” said OCTS president, Virginia Ashley. “Before integration, there were schools devoted to making sure Black children had a solid academic foundation. OCTS was one of those schools that graduated students who became successful adults.”

When OCTS closed in 1971, a group of Baptist pastors and civic leaders purchased the property. The former school campus became the headquarters for the Greater Bradley District Association (GBDA). Over the 50 years, GBDA has hosted church services for its membership, sponsored charitable events, and opened its doors for community-wide workshops.

GBDA Moderator Verna Thompson said, “Our Christian faith teaches us to place a premium on service. We have utilized the campus as a way to minister and engage with the community-at-large, regardless of race, age, or creed.”

The National Register of Historic Places is the country’s official list of historic buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects worthy of preservation. It was established in 1966 and is overseen by the National Park Service. The National Register recognizes more than 90,000 properties for their significance in American history.