Central High School - Red and Black Yearbook (Phenix City, AL)

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Central High School Central High School Annex Central Elementary Gymnasium and Administration Building 'W F'7 fl7f1f 1--. I: ww! 20 Ai N iQ.,g 52 12 19ln.,,,.,,'L.. 'H 4 -, 11.5 -Qi --11,5

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p el'llX bus Georgia and at the country to the east tor many miles The present city comprises the older tofvn of Girard and Phenix City which were combined in 1923 Russell County extends farther east than any other county in Alabama Phenix City was originally part of Girard but when Lee County was created in 1866 the town was in both Lee and Russell Counties The northern section in Lee was given the name Lively and then Browneville Later it was called Knights Station and tinally with the establishment ot a post oftlce in 1890 it was named Phenix City after the old Phoenix Mills of Columbus The concrete 14th Street bridge across the Chattahoochee 'River between Phenix City and Columbus Georgia bears a bronz tabl t with the information that on April 16 1865 the last battle of the War Between the States was fought here General Wilson s campaign through Alabama in the spring ot 1865 marked the close ofthe War Wilson s raiders had Girard and Columbus as their oblective A battle was fought on lngersolls Hill and preparation was made to destroy the bridge over the Chattahoochee in the event of an attempt by the enemy to torce its passage. When the Union Army made a dash at the bridge the order was given to tire the bridge and Captain C. C. lvlcGehee in execution of the order thus preventing the capture of Columbus, QFLU' Girard was named for Stephen Girard phiianthropist and slave dealer who settled in the region with other prominent Philadelphia families, while the Creek Indians were still roaming the land. The town was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1832 and designated as the temporary seat of Russell County. Pending the erection of a court house, the first term ot circuit court convened on October 14, 1833, at the Girard residence of John Godwin, a contractor. A1 34 C r K- A ' i Phenix City is situated on the west bonlc of the Chattahoochee River, commanding a view of Colum-

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FcE cE fK 'cE rQD'l CK' its slim! 5,,t,,,,, . .. At the close of the Civil War fbefore Phenix City was establishedi there were no public schools in Girard. The first public school was built about T867 on the site where the Girard Elementary School now stands, Here, seventy-five to eighty pupils assembled, of all ages, from tiny tots to grown boys and girls, Greek and Latin being included among the subjects taught. The school equipment was of the crudest type. The desks were long with seats of split logs and puncheon legs. No backs were provided tor the comfort of the student, A large heater in the center of a room furnished inadequate heat for the building.