COLUMBUS, Miss. (CMSD) – Robert Smith and James Richardson still have vivid memories of walking the halls of Hunt school. Now, as members of the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees, they are leading Hunt through its next historical chapter.
On October 30, 2025, at 5 PM, the next phase in Hunt’s history will be written.
A monument to the school’s historic mission of educating young minds will be unveiled, along with a historical marker from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Hunt Intermediate School is more than just a place where children get an education, it’s an iconic and sentimental building for many people that have walked past her doors in North Columbus.
“It was the cultural hub of the black community. In other words, if you were an African American from 1954 to 1970 and lived in Lowndes County or the city of Columbus, you attended high school here,” said Smith.
“I received inspirational instruction, as far as what type of student I wanted to be and how to become a young man,” recalled Richardson
Smith, the CMSD Board of Trustees President and the former mayor of Columbus, played football at Hunt for three years (1968-1970) and would walk to school or catch a ride, as there was no transportation for students that lived in the city limits.
Richardson arrived at Hunt in the seventh grade. However, he had been attending football and basketball games for years.
Later in his schooling he would return to Hunt.
“There was an auto mechanic shop where the current parking lot sits. Where the museum is located there was industrial arts. I got auto mechanic’s certification here at Hunt while in high school. We would also still eat in the cafeteria, and ate better than my classmates, and when class was over, we’d go back to our regular school,” remembered Richardson.
The now retired Richardson would later work for the school district as transportation director, thanks to his certification at Hunt. Richardson’s work as a pastor was also born inside the walls of Hunt.
The men could also recall football and basketball coaches, along with the marching band, that led the Hornets to many victories.
Those stories are all too familiar to the thousands of students that walked the hallways of Hunt, whether it was before or after integration.
It’s one reason so many Hunt High Hornet alumni return each year to reminisce about their time at the school and academic achievements.
“As I travel the state of Mississippi, traditionally black high schools, in the black community, no longer exist,” recalled Smith and Richardson.
Reunions were paused after the school was battered by an EF-3 tornado in 2019.
From February 23, 2019 until now the Columbus Municipal School District has paid out more than $20 million. Insurance, along with FEMA and MEMA funds helped with the restoration. Hunt reopened this past July.
Now, those tours are starting back.
“The class of 1969 recently toured the building, as part of its class reunion. They have already started planning to rent the facility for a couple of days next year for their reunion. So, I can pretty much assure you that this facility will be used quite a bit in the future.” said Smith.
The ceremony, which will be held in the gymnasium, on October 30th is open to the public. Once the event inside has concluded, the unveiling of the monument and historical marker will take place in front of the school.
In addition to the marker unveiling, refreshments will be served. Attendees can tour the school and the R.E. Hunt Museum and Cultural Center.
“This is a great achievement, and I am elated for the community,” said Smith.
What to know:
Hunt memorial monument and historical marker unveiling
Where:
Hunt Intermediate School gymnasium – 924 20th Street North, Columbus, MS 39701
Date:
October 30, 2025
Time:
5 PM
