AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOL BUILDING REVIVAL
Lowery High School
Ascension Parish
Lowery High School once served the African American community in Donaldsonville, LA as their local high school. It was named in recognition of Dr. John Harvey Lowery, the first African American physician in Ascension Parish. Dr. Lowery was born in Plaquemine, in Iberville Parish, in 1860 and attended Straight University in New Orleans. After completing his university studies, he went on to study medicine at Flint Goodrich Hospital in New Orleans and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine Degree from New Orleans University in 1894. Dr. Lowery then established his medical practice in Donaldsonville and became a prominent member of the community. Dr. Lowery passed away in 1941, and his namesake high school opened in 1950. In the 1960s, many of the students from Lowery High School participated in the national “Project Talent” study, which, 58 years later in 2018, followed back up with the students to see how their lives unfolded. The last graduating class of Lowery High School was in 1969. With integration in the following year, students were sent to the formerly all-White Donaldsonville High School. Lowery High School property is now owned by a local church, but remains semi-vacant.
Lowery High School
OPENED: 1950
CLOSED: 1970
OTHER NAMES OF SCHOOL: Lowery Training School
OTHER USES/CURRENT USE: Vacant
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 95,000 sf
PROPERTY OWNER: The Church in Donaldsonville
