The original McBride Colored School stood at this site. It was erected in 1926 during the era of segregation in the rural South to educate African American children in grades 1-12. Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington envisioned better education for rural African American children, and between 1917-1937, 4,977 schools, 217 teachers' homes, and 163 shop buildings were built throughout the South. The school here later fell into disrepair and was torn down in 1996. At the same time, a group of local leaders secured funding and built the Rosenwald Community Center, continuing the work and vision of those early educators and leaders.