The Opelousas high school that bore the name of the late educator J.S. Clark, founder of Southern University in Baton Rouge, lasted for only 15 years, but it made a lasting mark on its city inspiring current charter school J.S. Clark Christian Academy and will forever be remembered by the J.S. Clark Memorial Walkway, located at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park. From 1954 to 1969, in the days before school desegregation, J.S. Clark served the needs of black high school students in and around Opelousas.
The memorial walkway was officially dedicated on October 18, 2014, during a special ceremony. It features bricks and monuments that pay tribute to many of the school’s former teachers, staff and students. It also honors outstanding people connected with J.S. Clark: football standout Preston Fontenot, 1972 Olympic track and field gold medalist Rodney Milburn, and Rosa B. Scott Anderson, a former lead majorette who became a nurse and helped casualties during a firearm assault on Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State 20 years ago.
828 East Landry Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
337-948-6263
