Oakridge
Oakridge, the only black settlement in Macon County, was founded by Peter and Mary Jackson in 1874. It was located about eight miles southeast of Macon. A ridge runs from Macon to the point where the Salt River and Narrows Creek meet,
and the settlement was located on top of the ridge, thus the name of Oakridge. The Jacksons moved there with their three boys, Clayton, Charles and Colonel, and built their two-room log cabin on top of the ridge. Mr. Jackson donated the
land for two schools and the Methodist Church. Tabernacle meetings were held every summer and blacks from all over the community, including Macon, would go to the meetings to worship and sing.
Oakridge became home to a dozen or so families, and most of them owned their own homes while many of the white folks did not. This was uncommon for the times. Other family names included Wrights, Benders, Gooddings and Grants. They
were honest, hard-working farmers, and Oakridge became a prosperous community. They were respected by everyone and were extended social privileges not commonly seen between races at that time.
Oakridge School for the blacks was well-attended, and the students received a good education. However, the county could only afford to support one school, and since Oakridge had a lower attendance, it was closed. Students then were forced
to walk or get a ride in to Macon to go to Dumas School. The last two teachers at Oakridge were Mr. Will Grant and Mrs. Jane Hicks. The school building was moved from the Jackson farm and relocated on the Albert Binder farm. The
schoolhouse remained in that location until 1975 when a tornado came through and destroyed most of it.
and the settlement was located on top of the ridge, thus the name of Oakridge. The Jacksons moved there with their three boys, Clayton, Charles and Colonel, and built their two-room log cabin on top of the ridge. Mr. Jackson donated the
land for two schools and the Methodist Church. Tabernacle meetings were held every summer and blacks from all over the community, including Macon, would go to the meetings to worship and sing.
Oakridge became home to a dozen or so families, and most of them owned their own homes while many of the white folks did not. This was uncommon for the times. Other family names included Wrights, Benders, Gooddings and Grants. They
were honest, hard-working farmers, and Oakridge became a prosperous community. They were respected by everyone and were extended social privileges not commonly seen between races at that time.
Oakridge School for the blacks was well-attended, and the students received a good education. However, the county could only afford to support one school, and since Oakridge had a lower attendance, it was closed. Students then were forced
to walk or get a ride in to Macon to go to Dumas School. The last two teachers at Oakridge were Mr. Will Grant and Mrs. Jane Hicks. The school building was moved from the Jackson farm and relocated on the Albert Binder farm. The
schoolhouse remained in that location until 1975 when a tornado came through and destroyed most of it.
