Alexander City High School - Echo Yearbook (Alexander City, AL)

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HISTORY OF ALEXANDER CITY SCHOOLS In 1874 Youngville ceased to exist and Alexander City began to live. Prior to that time but little attention had been paid to the cause of education. There had been a few schools considered good then, and there were some private schools in which children might learn to spell, read, and write a little, but there had been no united effort to build a good school which all children might attend. At the time there were 3 private schools around the court square and at recess and during the lunch hour the children met there and played together. This example was used in a speech made by Mr. A. G. Holloway trying to unite the town under one school system. A program was given sponsoring this cause, and as a result a one-story building was erected on the hill where the present high school now stands. The hill at that time was rocky and covered with low bushes and brush. Often when it rained, there was so much mud and mire that it was difficult for the children to climb the hill. In 1887 J. D. Dickson and J. M. Pearson assumed control of the school. Dickson taught in the east end of the building and Pearson in the west end with no partition between them. There were about 75 or 80 children in the school. There were no uniform books, and as the books were donated, often there weren’t enough to go around. They had no patent desks to write on, and the majority of the class used slates and slate pencils. The ceiling was high and the room was heated with the open grates and stoves. At first the water was carried from a spring in the hollow back of the present Grammar School building. Later, after striking rock in many attempts, a well was dug on the end of the present football field. This school also was supported by means of tuition, paid according to the advancement of the pupil. The school was not graded until 1901. At that time only ten grades were offered, but some of the pupils did work far beyond that limit as there were no graduations then. In 1908 the corner stone was laid for the present high school building. Soon after this, the eleventh grade was added, and in 1910 the school was placed in the list of accredited schools. In 1913 the school began to give diplomas to its graduates, the first class consisting of four girls. In 192 5 the present grammar school was erected, and in 1930 the audi- torium was added. There are 4 schools under the present school system.

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1 First Graduates—1913 CLASSES

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Si NioR Class Oj i-ici rs—1944 JULIA SMITH . JAMES EARNHARDT . MARIE LILES . MARY E. ADCOCK . Social Committee Harold Forbus, Chairman Rebecca Brown Kathleen Abrams Jimmy Thomas James Earnhardt . . . . . President . . . . Vice President Secretary . . . . . Treasurer Finance Committee John Duncan, Chairman Jean Williams Julianne Ballard Euline Turner Lynn Tate James Thomas