Discover a significant piece of Huntsville, Alabama's history at William Hooper Councill Memorial Park, located at 620 St. Clair Avenue right next to the Huntsville Madison County Public Library. This historic site honors William Hooper Councill High School, which originally opened in 1867 as Huntsville's first public school for African American students. Founded in honor of William Hooper Councill—an enslaved man before the American Civil War who became a teacher, Reconstruction-era official, and founder of what grew into Alabama A&M University—the school served generations of local youth until closing during school desegregation.
When you visit today, you will experience a thoughtfully redeveloped park designed to mirror the original school’s floor plan. Walk along pathways and rest on benches built incorporating bricks saved from the original school structure. Among the park's key features, you can see a bronze statue dedicated to William Hooper Councill, alongside planned sculptures celebrating the school's students. Listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, the site celebrates the rich legacy of Councill High School, its undefeated 1965 football team, and distinguished alumni like civil rights leaders Joseph Lowery and Dr.
Sonnie Hereford. It offers a reflective space celebrating community perseverance and educational progress.
What to see at William Hooper Councill High School
- Explore a park layout designed to mirror the original school building's floor plan.
- See paths and benches built using bricks saved from the former school building.
- View the bronze statue erected in honor of William Hooper Councill.
- Learn about notable alumni, including civil rights leaders Joseph Lowery and Dr. Sonnie Hereford.
- Visit the historical site of Huntsville's first public school for African American students.
Visiting tips
You can easily locate the park right next door to the Huntsville Madison County Public Library on St. Clair Avenue.
How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
William Hooper Councill High School is easy to reach on Huntsville’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Episcopal Church of the Nativity and Big Spring Park. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Huntsville travel guide.
See the full Huntsville travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.