Spencer High School - Spencerian Yearbook (Columbus, GA)

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Board Education Muscogee COUHQ' MUSCOGEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE Mr. John R. Kinnett, Sr., President Mr. T. Hiram Stanley, First Vice-President Mr. Joe W. Blackman, Dr. William H. Shaw, Mr. C. Nathan Hunter, Mrs. Frank David Mr. Elmer D. F inch: Mr. W. E. Harrell Mr. B. H. Hardaway, III Dr. S. A. Roddenberry Mr. David Rothschild, II Second Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Mr. I. W. F eighner Dr. James M. Grant Mr. Louis C. Kunze Dr. John T. Miller Mrs. Joseph. J. Spano Mr. J. Ellis Swint Mr. I. Madden Hatcher, Attorney THE CLASS OF 1968 Salutes MR. LOUIS C. KUNZE, SR. Mr. Kunze was born in Baltimore, Maryland and at the age of 17 was sent to Georgia to represent the company for which he worked. At the age of 21 he organized his present company. He was elected to the school board in 1936 and is still serving as a member of this dedicated group of citizens. He has been chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee for many years and has willingly donated many hours of his time for the benefit of local youth. In the past years he has taken great pride in the presentation of diplomas to the graduating classes of Spencer High School as well as other schools. He has shown by his example his belief in equal rights for everyone. Although he has now reached an advanced age and has spent many years in the service of his com- munity he is still actively engaged in the promotion of progress for the Muscogee County School District.

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HIS TOPICAL DA TA On November 19, 1866 - The Columbus Public School System was provided for in a resolution introduced by Alderman John Mcllhenny and adopted by the City Council of Columbus, Georgia. On December 28, 1866 - The Public School System was authorized in Col- umbus in a bill passed by the General Assembly of Georgia. On March 12, 1867 - The first public school in Columbus was opened in the old Presbyterian Church on the corner of Tenth Street and Second Avenue. The first Public School for colored children was established in 1872. It first operated in rented quarters .... Temperance Hall, located on Eleventh Street. Blind Tom, famed Negro musical genius had given concerts at Temperance Hall. John Wilkes Booth also had appeared there a few months before he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. In June, 1875, the Board of Education bought the African Methodist Church Building on Mercer Street Cnow Sixth AvenueD for 3800.00. With the purchase went title to one acre from the Commons Commissioners. The building, a brick structure, was converted for school purposes and there was also built on the site a two story frame school building containing four rooms. SPRINGER OPERA HOUSE Springer Opera House, once the scene of yearly graduations has recently been restored and is one of Columbus' most famous landmarks. X In 1898, the late Booker T. W ashington, famed Educator, Founder and Presi- dent of Tuskegee Institute delivered the Commencement address at the Springer. 'Y E' 3.3. 1 1 'EP 12 :gig '!'IiVf'

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ADMINISYRA T I ON Muscogee County School District Dr. William Henry Shaw Dr. Fred Kirby Superintendent of Education Asst. Supt. in charge of Instruction Mr. R. Brice Carson Mr. Nathan M. Patterson Mr. G. Nathan Hunter Asst. Supt. in charge of Asst. Supt. in charge of TreaSufeI' Personnel Special Services The first Superintendent of the Columbus Public Schools was Mr. George Dews, A .M.