The School Just Across the Street
- Angela Hall
- 6 hours ago
- 11 min read
by Angela Hall
Shortly after I was born, my family moved to another home in Ensley. This time, our home was just across the street from a huge school that rose up like a fortress stretching across the horizon. The building provided quite a backdrop for family photos taken in our yard. Additionally, for anyone needing directions to our home, the beautiful structure was a familiar landmark. My parents met when they attended Councill School and several of my nine siblings went there as well throughout their elementary years. I attended for one summer when beginning band classes were taught. Since community children could join the summer classes, my mom signed me up to participate and play the cherished “family” clarinet. By summer’s end, I was playing well enough to occupy the “first chair” in the woodwind section and this talent continued through my next two or three years at my own school. Somehow, this instrument had been passed down to several family members—even cousins—and survived. For my family, Councill School was simply woven into the very fabric of our lives. The school became a descriptor for who we were. So many neighbors often referred to us as that big family just across from the tip end of Councill’s school ground. For me, Councill was just the name on the building, and I never gave much thought to who the school was named for and why. What’s more, I have no memory of the school’s name being discussed in our home—it was just “Councill.”
My Assignment: Councill School—But Why?
When I was asked to draft a story about Councill School for this issue of The Birmingham Market, several questions came to mind right away—the first being, why? The school was set to close in 2012, and it did close its doors at the end of the school year in May of 2013. Students living in the area were then assigned to Bush Hills Academy.
About ten years ago, which was shortly after the school’s closing, this same magazine had an article about the school. When the publisher made me aware of this, and not wanting to be influenced by anything already written in that issue, I chose to forego seeking out that issue and reading it. Additionally, during my research for this story, I found that a weekly paper in Birmingham published a piece about the school and the individual it was named for in February 2025—just one year ago. Further digging revealed that in 2023, there was interest in the vacant school building and its location. Investors had a vision for revamping the structure and creating a resource facility for the Ensley community. With this specific piece of information, I felt the rationale for my assignment was becoming clearer. There was a renewed interest now in Councill School. This assignment gave me the opportunity to learn more about the neighborhood where I grew up and about the person for which the school was named. I also learned the school’s name was spelled differently from what I had always written as “Council.” It is my sincere hope that readers will review this article and leave with a new
From Davis School to Councill “Negro” Elementary School
In 1898, the Birmingham City Schools System constructed the original Davis School building on the corner of 20th Street and Avenue L (now Avenue P). The school was named for Alfred Davis. My search through several references did not reveal who Davis was or how he was connected to Birmingham or Alabama. After reviewing documents in the Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections, I found an item titled “Names of Birmingham Public Schools and Why So Named.” There were two lists—one for “White Schools” and one for “Negro Schools.” On the list for “Negro” schools (and from this point forward, I will refer to them as Black schools), all the school names were listed and then a reference given regarding why or for whom they were named. Many of the schools were named based on their location while others were named for notable individuals in the history of our country, state, and city. A few were named for outstanding Blacks in our state and city’s history. For example, Tuggle School was named for Carrie A. Tuggle a “well-known Negro social and church worker” and Washington School was named for Booker T. Washington a “famous Negro educator.” The listing on this document for Councill School indicates it was named for William Hooper Councill, “founder of A.&M. College at Normal, Alabama.” No other descriptors for Councill were given.
Davis School sat on property in Ensley which at the time was a large and thriving neighborhood in Jefferson County. On February 12, 1899, Ensley was formally incorporated as a city all to itself. It was later annexed into Birmingham on January 1, 1910, under what was called the “Greater Birmingham” campaign. This movement was intended to truly make Birmingham the “Magic City” and the “Pittsburg of the South” by increasing its population as it annexed several surrounding municipalities into Birmingham’s corporate limits. These surrounding municipalities included Pratt City, Avondale, Woodlawn, East Lake, Ensley, West End, Wylam, North Birmingham, and Kingston to name a few. Even before Ensley’s annexation into Birmingham, the Birmingham City Schools System served Davis School. A 1924 article in the Birmingham Post-Herald featured a chart listing a total of 22 Black high schools and elementary schools in Birmingham. The table indicates “Councill No. 1 and No. 2” was erected in 1903. This is possibly the year when Davis School officially became Councill Negro Elementary School when an addition was added to the structure. The chart indicates the building was about 20 years old when the new part was added in 1922. The enrollment for grades 1-7 was a total of 1,418 students.
With the city needing more space for Black students in Ensley, a triangular piece of property was purchased at 1400 Avenue M for what would become the new home for Councill School. The triangular shape was evident with three “possibly” equal sides running along Avenue M (where the school building filled practically the entire width of the block) and along 15th and 14th Streets (where the playground filled the remainder of the block). The very end of the school’s playground came to a rounded curve where the two streets came together and formed a “fork in the road.” My family home was located right across the street from where that curve was formed.
Councill School opened in 1926. It was named in memory of William Hooper Councill who was the founder and first president of Alabama A&M College in Normal, Alabama. The document mentioned previously from the Birmingham City Schools System on the names of schools and why they were so named confirms this. While Councill’s role in founding what is now Alabama A&M University is significant, the story of his own life is something everyone throughout our country and state should know and remember. The quote inserted below is from Booker T. Washington’s autobiography Up from Slavery. As I think of the obstacles Councill had to overcome to simply live, I am truly inspired by his life and the fact that the only major obstacle in his way was slavery.
From Enslavement to Ph.D. : The Life and Genius of William Hooper Councill
The quote above by Booker T. Washington speaks to understanding the true measure of success—understanding what an individual has actually “gone through” to reach his/her status in life. Until researching information for this article, I had no idea of who William Hooper Councill was. Neither did I know what he had gone through to become the man who would be a catalyst for higher education among Blacks in the state. My research for this story has clearly shown that Dr. Councill is someone who was able to escape the bonds of slavery, get an education, and then begin the process of educating others. In 2013, Eddie E. Davis, Jr. authored a book titled William Hooper Councill: The Greatest Negro the Race Ever Produced. The first paragraph in a promotional piece for the book reads as follows:
The J.F. Drake Memorial Learning Resources Center (LRC) at Alabama A&M University has several resources available on the life and work of Dr. Councill. Basic information on his life, as well as important dates in his life, can be found on the college’s website and online resources. Rather than rewrite the overall history of Councill’s phenomenal lifetime, I have listed some achievements and events—but certainly not all—in a bulleted format.
Councill was born into slavery in Fayetteville, North Carolina on July 12, 1849.
Both of his parents were slaves on the Councill Plantation.
His father escaped to Canada from the plantation in 1854 when William was five years old and after his escape, Councill’s father tried on several occasions to free his family but to no avail.
In 1857, William, his mother, and brothers were sold at the Richmond slave market to a trader who later transported the family to Huntsville, Alabama.
His family was then sold from the auction block at Green Bottom Inn in 1857 to Judge David Campbell Humphreys. At this auction, William saw two of his brothers sold and he never heard from them again.
Along with his mother and brother Cicero, William escaped to the North when Union troops occupied Chattanooga, Tennessee during the Civil War.
In 1865, William returned to Alabama to attend a school started by the Quaker missionary Wilmer Walton in Jackson County. He attended this school for three years and graduated in 1867.
Councill High School, named for Dr. William Hooper Councill, opened in 1867 as Huntsville’s first public school for African Americans. The school closed in 1966.
In 1868, William married Elizabeth Bettie Hunt McFarland whom he later divorced and he then moved to Huntsville.
Councill worked as a teacher in Black public schools in Alabama and in 1869, at the age of twenty-two, he opened Lincoln School in Huntsville for black children in the region.
While teaching, William attended night school where he studied chemistry, law, math, and Latin.
He was admitted to the Alabama Bar but never practiced law in the state.
Councill got involved in politics and became the Chief Enrolling Clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives between 1872 and 1874.
He served as secretary for the Washington, D.C. based National Civil Rights Convention in 1873.
In 1874, Councill ran without success for a seat in the state legislature.
In 1875, the Alabama legislature appointed Councill, then 26 years old, as the first principal of the State Colored Normal School at Huntsville and the school opened on May 1st of the same year—it is known today as Alabama A&M University.
Councill founded and operated the Huntsville Herald from 1877 through 1884 serving as both publisher and editor.
In 1885, Councill established the St. John African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Huntsville.
Councill married Maria Weeden in 1885 and to this union three sons and one daughter were born.
In 1887, Councill filed a lawsuit with the Interstate Commerce Commission when he was ejected from a first-class coach as he traveled on an Alabama railroad. Although he won the suit, he temporarily lost his job as principal of the State Colored Normal School.
William Hooper Councill died April 9, 1909, and is buried on the campus of Alabama A&M University where he served as president for 32 years.
In 2025, the William Hooper Councill Park opened in Huntsville, Alabama on the former site of Councill High School. Located at 620 St. Clair Avenue SW, the park is a space dedicated to reflection, remembrance, and inspiration.
And finally, Councill’s life and accomplishments are celebrated every May at Alabama A&M University on Founder’s Day which includes events honoring his contributions to the university and African American education.
Upon the completion of Councill Park in Huntsville, the Director of Alabama A&M University’s Community Development Corporation had this to say about Councill . . .
"He Asked God to help him to become a man so that he could come back and do something for his people."
Joseph Lee, Director, Community Development Corporation. Alabama A&M University
After researching information for this story, I fully understand why Councill School was named for Dr. William Hooper Councill and why this gentleman is one we should all know. My examination of available information did not allow me to identify the individual from the Birmingham City Schools System who proposed the name. This information would have allowed us to acknowledge the board member and pass along accolades for the selection of Councill’s name.
The verso of an item titled Prof. W.H. Councill in the collection of the New York Public Library and labeled as Image ID 1237976 is inserted next to the photo of Dr. Councill. This written piece states that William Hooper Councill received a Ph.D. from Morris Brown College. It has surfaced as the only document, based on my findings, to indicate that achievement. On this verso, or page, we also find that Dr. Councill travelled abroad and worked to provide religious education to the people of Africa. I challenge all readers of this article, and especially alumni from Councill School, to look for books and articles on the contributions of Dr. William Hooper Councill.
New Interest in Councill School?
Even though Councill School has been vacant since closing in 2013, there may be new interest in the structure. My research did find that in recent years, investors have purchased the Councill School building from the Birmingham Board of Education. In a news story on WVTM13 on March 6, 2023, the lead story indicated the former elementary school in Ensley would be getting “a second chance at life.” As I watched the video recording of the newscast, I recognized the spokesperson and principal investor. He grew up just around the corner from me and attended Councill School. His plan involves turning the unused building into a facility where families in the community, young and old, can get the training and resources needed to build a better future for themselves and the Ensley neighborhood. Additionally, the team of investors have acquired Whatley Elementary School in Avondale for part two of their plan where the focus will be on life skills and professional development. If this effort is realized, it could certainly mean “new life for these buildings and the surrounding communities.” When funded and fully realized, this vision will have a third component which will be a general health center.
What About Alumni Reunions to Keep Councill’s Dream Alive?
Finally, as I mentioned earlier in this piece, my parents met while attending Councill School. They became the best of friends at Councill and from there, the two walked the 3.5 miles daily to Industrial High School (now A.H. Parker High School). When money was available, they rode the streetcar. Eventually, the two married and started what became my family. As Councill School Alumni, they would also be among the more than five hundred people from throughout the United States who returned to the school in 1978 for the very first reunion. Meeting every two years, the reunions included a full weekend of activities including registration and opening sessions at the school, keynote speakers, recognition of retired teachers, outstanding alumni, an all-day picnic, and a reunion dance. On at least one occasion, the reunion took place in New York City where one of my uncles served as president of the reunion committee. My parents took a long train ride to New York for that event.
When the reunions took place, program booklets were printed along with T-shirts, name badges, and registration packets. Unfortunately, I could not locate any copies of the program booklets from these exciting times. It’s possible that information on the legacy of William Hooper Councill was printed in those publications. Had I only paid more attention during that time, it is possible that I would have learned more about this beautiful school just across the street. Perhaps I would have learned something about the man for whom this great school was named.
Little did I know that this assignment would give me the opportunity to learn something new about a place so close to me and my family. I hope the article shares added information with others who grew up in Ensley and attended Councill School. The most significant purpose of this assignment was made clear as I researched material for this article. Growing up just across the street from Councill did not reveal this awe-inspiring legacy to me. I’m thankful for this assignment and for the many lessons I learned. To our readers, I am hopeful that you will appreciate this piece on Ensley, Councill School’s history, and the many contributions of Dr. William Hooper Councill.
REFERENCES
(1924, January 27). School System Needs Outlined Through Survey. The Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 19-27.
(1982, July 6). Around Your Corner. Councill Elementary to hold third reunion. The Birmingham News, p. 17A.
Birmingham Activist Moves Forward with Plan to Help Misguided Youth. (2023). WVTM 13 News.
Davis, Eddie E, Jr. (2013) William Hooper Councill: The Greatest Negro the Race Ever Produced. Presh4word Publishing
Company.
Drew, Samuetta. (2025, February 13). Black History Moment: William H. Councill, founder Alabama A&M.
The Birmingham Times.
Ensley (Birmingham). (2025, December 15). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensley_(Birmingham)
Former Elementary School in Ensley is Getting a Second Chance at Life. (2023). WVTM 13 News.
Leech, Marie. (2013, March 8). Officials meet with public over school closings proposals. The Birmingham News. p. A6.
Leech, Marie. (2013, March 13). Birmingham board adopts plan to realign schools. The Birmingham News, p. A1.
Legacy of Huntsville’s first Black public school lives on at William Hooper Councill Park. (2025). WAAY31ABC News.
The Life and Legacy of William Hooper Councill. (2020). WAFF.
Washington, Booker T. (1995). Up From Slavery. Dover Publications.
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