Leon Quincy Jackson

Leon Quincy Jackson (January 9, 1926,[1] or 1927–July 21, 1995),[2] was an American architect and professor. He was known for his modernist building designs. He is thought to be the first black architect in Oklahoma,[3] however he faced discrimination and was not able to take the state licensing exam. His architecture firm was named L. Quincy Jackson & Associates.[4]

Leon Quincy Jackson
Born(1927-01-09)January 9, 1927, or alternatively (1926-01-09)January 9, 1926
Wewoka, Oklahoma, U.S.[1]
Died(1995-07-21)July 21, 1995
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Burial placeGreenwood Cemetery
Other namesL. Quincy Jackson
EducationWilberforce University,
Iowa State University
Alma materKansas State University,
University of Oklahoma
Occupation(s)Architect, professor
MovementModernism
Children1

Early life and education

Leon Quincy Jackson was born on January 9th on either 1926 or 1927 in Wewoka, Oklahoma.[1][2] He was raised by his mother Roxie Ann Jackson, a high school principal and his stepfather Lonnie Galimore, a pharmacist.[1][5] His mother was one-half Seminole and owned a large farm with oil reserves and a handful of active oil derricks.[1]

He had studied at Wilberforce University and Iowa State University.[6] Jackson received a B.A. degree in architecture (1950) from Kansas State University; and received a M.S. degree (1954) in planning from the University of Oklahoma (OU).[7][8][6] Jackson was a student of Bruce Goff.[7] He was the third black student to receive a masters degree in planning from OU.[6]

Career

In 1950, Jackson was the first African-American architect to open an office in the state of Oklahoma.[2] He was hampered in taking his Oklahoma state licensing exam because of his race.[2]

Before receiving his master's degree, Jackson taught architectural engineering at Prairie View A&M University.[6] In 1954, Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, visited Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in Stillwater, Oklahoma and Jackson attended the event.[9]

In 1954, Jackson moved to Nashville.[7] He taught at Tennessee State University (TSU) from 1954 until ?.[7] Jackson had established the architectural engineering program at TSU.[7] He was an influence on many students, including architect Bob Wesley.[10][11]

From 1966 until 1975, Jackson was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).[12]

Death and legacy

Jackson died on July 21, 1995, and was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville.[10] Some of his buildings have been lost to fire or demolition but others remain standing.[10]

His son, Leon Jackson (1969–2016) also trained as an architect, and worked as a promoter of electronic music in Nashville, Tennessee.[13]

List of buildings

References
  1. Wilson, Dreck Spurlock, ed. (2004). African American Architects (First ed.). Routledge. p. 8. doi:10.4324/9780203493120. ISBN 9780203493120. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  2. "L. Quincy Jackson - Architect". Docomomo-us.org. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  3. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Edwards Heights Historic District". National Park Service. September 7, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  4. Directory, African American Architects. Center for the Study of the Practice of Architecture, College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, University of Cincinnati. 1995. p. 57.
  5. "Roxie Gallimore". The Daily Oklahoman. January 21, 1978. p. 23. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  6. "Receives Masters in Architecture". The Black Dispatch. September 11, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  7. "Pagoda of Medicine". Historic Nashville, Inc. July 7, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  8. "Black History Month Feature: L. Quincy Jackson". Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, University of Oklahoma. February 9, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  9. "They Touched The Hem of His Garment". The Black Dispatch. June 26, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  10. "Historical structure destroyed in early morning fire". KFOR. August 23, 2013.
  11. Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Black Lives. Hearst Home & Hearst Home Kids. April 26, 2022. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-950785-61-2.
  12. "L[eon] Quincy Jackson architect". Archinform.net.
  13. Maloney, Sean L (November 29, 2016). "Leon Jackson, 1969-2016: Local Electronic Music Community Remembers a Pioneer". Nashville Scene. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  14. Meyer, Holly. "Historic Nashville lists nine threatened properties". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
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