Alfred E Beach High School - Golden Bulldog Yearbook (Savannah, GA)

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Alfred Ely Beach The history of the present Alfred E. Beach High School dates back to a period closely related to the history of Negro education in Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia. The individual responsible for helping to begin this his- tory was Colonel Alfred Ely Beach. Colonel Beach was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in the year of 1826. He was educated at Monson Academy in Monson, Mas- sachusetts. When very young. Colonel Beach became a mechanical genius and was also noted as an inventor. His inventions included the first successful typewriter with radial swinging arms. He was responsible for the begin- ning of the elaborate pneumatic tube system much used in New York to transport mail and telegrams. Colonel Beach was concerned with the welfare and education of Negroes in Chatham County. The American Missionary Association with the aid of a substantial contribution from Colonel Beach, opened a school for Negroes in Savannah, Georgia, in 1864. This educational unit was located at Harris and Price Streets and named Beach Insti- tute. Negro education between 1911-1950 reached its peak on the eighth grade level, but in 1915 Cuyler Junior High School was erected and the ninth grade was added. This level was maintained through 1922. In 1922 one teacher was employed and one class on the tenth grade level operated in the stone building at Cuyler Junior High School. The period of operation was brief. The first Congregational Church then decided to re-open the old Beach Institute and the school bore the name Beach Continuation School. In 1924, The Chatham County Board of Education was requested to include the continuation school as a part of the Savannah-Chatham County School System. This was granted and the school was renamed Beach High School. Louis Callen became the first principal. During the period of 1924-1929, the old Beach Building failed to accomodate the growing student body and was also in need of extensive repairs. At the invitation of John Wesley Hubert, Principal of Cuyler Junior High School, the Chatham County Board of Education was asked to move the school to the west wing of the Cuyler Junior High School. Mr. Haynes became the principal of the combined schools, serving until his retirement. At the retirement of Principal Hubert in 1940, Martin G. Haynes, Principal of the West Board Street Elementary School was named principal. Mr. Haynes passed away in 1948. He was succeeded in that same year by Otha L. Douglass. Beach and Cuyler as combined schools were separated on January 26, 1950, and the senior High School moved to the newly built Alfred E. Beach Senior High School on January 30, 1950. In 1965, Mr. Douglas was transferred to Scott Junior High School, and Mr. Joseph Green, then principal of Beach Junior High School, was named principal. Mr. Green served until his retirement in 1970, at which time Mr. Otis J. Brock was named principal. During the administration of Mr. Brock, intergration was accomplished, the curriculum was expanded and the school community greatly enlarged. In 1976, Mr. Richard Mole, a loyal, dedicated alumnus of A.E. Beach took the reins as principal. Under Mr. Mole's tutelage the school has made great strides academically and has taken on a new sense of pride demonstrated by the students, the parents, and the community at large. He has impressed upon the student that all things, regardless of their level of difficulty, can be achieved if there is unity. With this philosophy and Mr. Mole's guidance, the school will continue to perpetuate the name: Alfred Ely Beach.

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1982 Golden Bulldog A.E. Beach High School Savannah, Georgia

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Beach High Alma Mater BEACH HIGH ALMA MATER Beach High Alma Mater fairest Dearest school so true Faith and loyalty we cherish Praise we sing to you Truth and love and honor right, Make us strong and bold. Hail thy loving colors bright. Hail the blue and gold. God protect dear A.E. Beach High May she firmly stand Through the years before her lying. Guided by thy hand. Beach High! Beach High! Alma Mater Voices loud we raise. For our school, we sons and daughters Sing thy glorious praise. CHORUS