Gilmer, Upshur County
The African American community of Bethlehem in Upshur County has long valued education, building schools soon after Emancipation. Assistance from the Rosenwald Fund resulted in a four-room schoolhouse in 1922 named Bethlehem Colored School. J.W. Sharp (1872-1960) and his daughter, Catha M. McDaniel (1918-2001), were longtime educators here. Teachers include Era Warren, Alma Ray-Batts Simon, Tommie Bozeman, Rodell Miller and Ira Mae Sparks. Students competed in academic and athletic activities and won many trophies. Consolidation with Union Hill ISD closed the school in 1968. Despite vast imbalances in resources due to segregation, the school benefited the students and the whole community through education and events. (2022)