GADSDEN, AL – The Eugene N. Prater Administration Building, a longstanding centerpiece of Gadsden State Community College’s Valley Street Campus, has been officially listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage by the Alabama Historical Commission. The historic designation, granted on November 19, 2024, highlights the building’s significance to education and the local community.
Constructed in 1965, the building has played a pivotal role in shaping academic and vocational education in the region for nearly six decades. Its groundbreaking ceremony in 1964 was a momentous occasion, drawing faculty, staff, students, civic leaders, and dignitaries, including former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace.
Originally, the building was designed to support a wide range of academic programs. The first floor housed administrative offices, while the second floor was home to programs in general clerical work, barbering, tailoring and sewing, and Practical Nursing—services that met the needs of a growing and evolving student population.
Today, the Eugene N. Prater Administration Building remains a vital educational resource on the Valley Street Campus. The first floor serves as the campus lobby and houses the HBCU Administrative Office. The second floor continues to support hands-on learning and academic development with programs such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Practical Nursing, in addition to a campus computer lab, faculty offices, a student break room, and the campus library.
The building’s inclusion on the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage not only recognizes its architectural and cultural relevance but also honors its ongoing contribution to education in Alabama. Gadsden State Community College has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving this legacy as it continues to serve students with quality academic programs and community resources.
