National Register Listing

Mount Sinai School

1820 Cty. Rd. 57, Prattville, AL

The Mount Sinai School was built in 1919 with funds provided by the Julius Rosenwald School Building Fund program and public and private monies.

The Mount Sinai School was constructed in 1919 utilizing funds provided by the Julius Rosenwald School Building Fund program in combination with public and private monies. According to the records in the Rosenwald School Building Fund papers at Fisk University, the school cost $1325.00 to build. The Rosenwald Fund provided $500, while the state contributed $300.00. African Americans raised the remaining $525.00. The school traces its origins to circa 1891, when a one teacher program was instituted in the nearby Mount Sinai church. According to local tradition, a one room frame building was eventually constructed in another location and utilized by students until it was destroyed in a storm, after which time the classes moved back into the church. When the new Mount Sinai building opened in 1919, the teaching staff increased to three. In 1949 a fourth teacher was added, and the following year the Parent-Teachers Association raised $500.00 to match county funds to complete the construction of the north classroom. With the school consolidation of the late 1960s, Mount Sinai was shut down in 1967 when the students were transferred to the Autauga County Training School at Autaugaville. That same year the Mount Sinai Community Association purchased the building for $800.00. Incorporated in 1973, the Mount Sinai Community Center continues to maintain ownership of the building.
Local significance of the building:
Education; Black; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

education ethnic heritage black architecture
The city of Tuskegee, Alabama is the birthplace of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military pilots. During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were trained at the Tuskegee Institute and went on to fly over 1,500 missions in the war.
Alabama random facts
Autauga County, located in central Alabama, has a rich and diverse history. The area was inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The region's first major European settlement was established in 1817 when Benjamin Fitzpatrick and his brother-in-law, William Wythe, built several cabins along the Autauga Creek. The county was named in honor of the Autauga Tribe, who once lived in the area.

During the early 19th century, Autauga County witnessed rapid growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1830s led to increased agricultural production, particularly in cotton. The county quickly became a hub for cotton plantations, attracting settlers and enslaved African Americans who worked in the cotton fields. In 1860, Autauga County was one of the top cotton-producing counties in Alabama.

The Civil War had a profound impact on Autauga County, as it did on the rest of the South. Many men from the county enlisted in the Confederate Army, with some joining famous units like the 20th Alabama Infantry Regiment. The war resulted in significant loss of life and property damage, disrupting the region's socio-economic fabric.

After the war, Autauga County faced the challenges of Reconstruction. The county's economy gradually shifted from agriculture to industry, with the establishment of mills and factories. The arrival of the timber industry in the late 19th century also contributed to the county's economic growth. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that Autauga County experienced significant industrial and population growth. Today, it is a thriving county with a blend of historical charm and modern amenities.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Autauga County, Alabama.

  • 1818: Autauga County was established on November 21, 1818, as a county in the Alabama Territory.
  • 1820: The county seat was established in the town of Washington.
  • 1830: Autauga County experienced significant population growth with an increase in cotton production.
  • 1861-1865: Autauga County residents participated in the American Civil War, with many serving in the Confederate Army.
  • 1866: The county seat was moved to Prattville, which became a thriving industrial town.
  • 1930s: Autauga County faced economic challenges during the Great Depression.
  • 1950s-1960s: The Civil Rights Movement brought significant changes and challenges to Autauga County.
  • 1970s-1990s: The county experienced steady growth and development in various sectors, including industry and education.
  • 2000s: Autauga County continued to grow as a commuter community for nearby Montgomery.