The Dawson legacy has had a profound and lasting impact on the development of West Feliciana Parish Schools, elevating them to among the most distinguished in Louisiana and even the nation. In the years following segregation, it was through the unwavering dedication of these Dawson men: John Sterling, John Morris and Thomas James, that generations of African-American children—and their families—came to recognize the transformative power of education.
The Dawson Legacy
In 1890, 19-year-old John Sterling Dawson was brought to Laurel Hill in West Feliciana Parish to teach Black children reading, writing, and math. Starting with over 100 students at Rosemond Baptist Church, he trained the more advanced ones to teach others and later sent many to McKinley High School and Southern University in Baton Rouge.
By 1930, Dawson had moved his classes to Raspberry Baptist Church in St. Francisville. After his death in 1950, John S. Dawson High School opened in 1951, with his children and former students serving as teachers. His sons served as principals until the school closed in 1969 due to integration. Over its two decades, Dawson High produced hundreds of graduates, many of whom pursued college and successful careers.