Until 1857, Iowa law did not allow African Americans to attend public school. The second constitution ratified that year allowed African Americans to attend public school. After the approval of the 1857 constitution, some communities, including Keokuk, established separate schools for African Americans. This practice continued until a decision by the Iowa Supreme Court in 1867 declared that it violated Iowa law.

Keokuk established a separate school for African Americans in 1860. This school had two different sites before a school was built on Concert Street at the cost of $6,614 in 1869. Keokuk operated two elementary schools until 1874 when the Rev. Charles Dove sued to have his young son attend the Torrance Street School which was nearer to his home than the “colored school.” The following year, the Iowa Supreme Court ordered Keokuk schools to integrate.

Photo of Concert Street site circa 1890 ~Courtesy of Lee County Historical Society