Tech High School - Tehisean Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

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Q-3 TEHISE' History of Tech High School ECH HIGH SCHOOL was organized as a separate department of Boys' High School in 1903. Some of the students in the Boys' High School wanted a course that would give them technical training, as well as ek literary. This band of fellows increased until they were given a sep- A ' arate room in the basement, this marked the beginning of the present Tech High School. From year to year the technical department increased amazingly and finally reached such proportions as to warrant the building of a separate school, which was located near the site of the Million-Dollar Annex. Many boys were at- tracted to the new school and it was put into operation largely through the efforts of Superintendent John M. Slaton and Professor C. S. Culver. The two-story frame building was a very crude affair, which was crowded to capacity, had very poor equipment and bad lighting and heating facilities. But in spite of these conditions, the students received good training and the school came to be recognized among the foremost of the state. Six men composed the first faculty: Mr. C. S. Culver, Principal, Mr, VV. O. Cheney, Mr. C. A. Dean, Mr. E. S. Maclin, Mr. Kemp Malone, and Mr. W. R. Sny- der. In the year 1909, when the school was removed to its present location, the building contained four recitation rooms, one wood shop, one forge shop and a draw- ing department. Tech High has been extremely fortunate in the men who have served as prin- cipals. Mr. Culver, the first principal, organized the school and headed it for seven years. During that time the remarkable growth of the school was due largely to his efforts. He fostered athletics, started the lunch stand and put Tech High on the prep school map of the South, known for its wonderful spirit and excellent courses. Mr. Gilmer Siler, former head of the science, was principal during 1917. He kept up Mr. Culveris splendid work and, due to his resourcefulness, many debts were paid off. Mr. W. A. Sutton succeeded Mr. Siler and was principal until 1921. He made an excellent principal and was found to be especially fitted for the position. He did as much to encourage athletics as man possibly could, and under his direction the school grew wonderfully. VVhen Mr. Sutton was made Superintendent of Schools. Mr. W. O. Cheney, head of the mathematics department, became principal. Under Mr, Cheney's skillful guidance the enrollment has reached the 1662 mark. We have turned out several championship teams and have produced this volume of the TEHISEAN. Mr. Cheney is generally recognized throughout the city as one of the finest disciplinarians and executives in the Atlanta system. We thank him for his efforts for the upbuilding of the school and wish him many more years of successful work with tl1e school. Mr. Cheney has the most capable assistance of Mr. J. H. Smith, assistant principal, who is deservedly popular with the boys and has shown decided aptitude for his present executive position in the school. After the building on Marietta Street was erected, the growth of Tech High has been nothing short of phenomenal. Some years later a two-story shop building .Bile naman .M I - ....,L. ,

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129 TEHISE' 'SIE' and a one-story brick annex were built to meet the needs of the ever-increasing attendance. In 1915 the main two-story building containing class rooms, a science laboratory, and the oflice, were erected. In 1920 a third floor was added which contains the drawing rooms and one very large room that is used as an auditorium and literary hall. The latest additions to the building are: the auto shop, Simpson Street Annex and the Uptown Annex . The following figures show the growth in attendance from year to year: Freshman Enrollment 1913 . . . 130 Freshman Enrollment 1914 . . . 160 Freshman Enrollment 1915 . . . 280 Freshman Enrollment 1916 . . . 225 Freshman Enrollment 1917 . . . 290 Freshman Enrollment 1918 . . . 4-20 Freshman Enrollment 1919 . . . 4150 Freshman Enrollment 1920 . .' . 500 Freshman Enrollment 1921 .............. 650 The faculty has increased from six to over sixty-five. No other male high school in the city can show these remarkable figures. Tech High has long been prominent on the athletic field. Numerous cups and trophies attest to this fact. Back in the early days, our athletes had the same desires as those today, namely, to defeat Boys' High in every undertaking. An ancient, honorable and an everlasting rivalry exists between these two schools. Formerly the rivalry was tinged with a keenness that bordered on bitterness, but in recent years the relations between these two schools is tl1e friendliest in their history, due, in large measure, to their present management. Our first great achievement in athletics came in 1912 when W. E. M'cLarty had charge of the basketball team. When everything looked dark for Tech High, victory was snatched from Boys' High. thus starting the Purple and Gold on to a line of victories that have continued up to the present time. These figures show the results of our teams: 1912-13-State Champions in Football, Basketball, Pennant. 1913-14-Football Champions. 1914-15-Football and Basketball Champions. 1915-16-Basketball and Track Champions. 1916-17-Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track Champions. 1917-18-Football Champions. 1918-19-Basketball and Tennis Champions. 1919-20-State Champions Football, Swimming, Track, and Tennisl 1920-21-Field City Champions Football, Track, Tennis, Swimming. 1921-22-Southeastern Basketball, Tennis, Track, and Baseball Champions. We have always been noted for our splendid spirit, and we have taken defeat as gamely as victory. It is our desire that this spirit will be continued, and because for much more glory, and this responsibility, underclassmen, we transmit to you and beg of you to lend your hearty support. , n:'T F' 'C -A Q 0