DEAR OLE TALLASSEE HIGH

Faithful, loyal, firm and true, A Tallassee High School Tribute

STORY BY MICHAEL BIRD & PHOTOS BY CARMEN RODGERS & KYLE THORNTON

Tallassee High School has stood in nearly the same location on Barnett Boulevard since 1916; in its most recent incarnation, the same building has been there since 1929.

No more.

On the last day of school in May, Agriscience teacher Dr. Daniel Free presented the Class of 2021 and the faculty of Tallassee High School with pieces of the original wood from his classroom floor, room 221. Free cut sections of the floor for the faculty and seniors as a parting gift and emblazoned each piece with “THS 1929-2021.” As the most challenging school year to date because of COVID-19 came to a close, it was difficult not to note the history passing before their eyes. They weren’t only saying farewell to a class, a teacher and administrators; this time, they were saying goodbye to a treasured landmark.

Local historian Bill Goss noted that the original Tallassee School for grades first through 12th was constructed from 1915 to 1916. It was located on King Street, where Stumberg Gym sits today. The original building

was very modern for the time and even included indoor restrooms. Unfortunately, the original school, built by Mount Vernon Mills, burned on Nov. 11, 1928.

The THS Tallassee has come to know and love opened its doors on Nov. 13, 1929. Tallassee Mount Vernon Mills built the new school in one year and two days.

In that one year and two days, architects and designers sought to imitate the construction of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery. Keep in mind, in those days, Lanier was downtown on McDonough Street, the school now known as Baldwin Middle School, which opened in 1910.

Just two days before the dedication service of the new building in 1929, the doors were opened for the Tallassee community to visit and tour the new facility.

The school was constructed for approximately $125,000 and contained 25 classrooms, several science laboratory classrooms, a library and an auditorium with a seating capacity of around 800. Then, the school housed the elementary school students in a separate wing as well.

Tallassee High School has created a great and rich history through the years. Its patrons will not easily forget; however, as the community looks toward the future, this fall will be the beginning of an exciting adventure. As the faculty and students await the construction of a new Tallassee High School, classes will be held in trailers on the band field. While there are bound to be challenges, the school is coming off the cusp of the most challenging year in education: the year of COVID-19. Yet, they survived, and if they could do that, then holding classes in mobile learning units will be okay, too. At least they will be faceto-face in classrooms with the students.

And then, next year, we will begin the 2022-2023 school year in the finest and most up-to-date academic facility in the River Region.

Say Goodbye

Previous Pages: The exterior of THS from 1929-2021; Above: Classrooms and offices had to be completely cleared out, but memorbilia will find its place in the new school.

~Michael Bird teaches music at Tallassee High School and frequently writes for the Tallassee Tribune.

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READERS’ CHOICE

Art & Photography Contest 2021

ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24!

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Lake Martin Living magazine will host a juried art show from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the arts and entertainment alley of Alexander City, with an awards reception at 8 p.m. Event will include outdoor music and door prizes. Face masks and social distancing will be encouraged. An indoor location will be available in case of inclement weather. Tickets are $5 each and include one vote for People’s Choice Award.

ENTRY DETAILS

➡ Entries must reflect local area or its lifestyle. ➡ Two divisions: hanging art and hanging photography. ➡ $15 per entry fee submission (Each entry includes one admission ticket; one

People’s Choice vote; and one entry for door prizes). ➡ Limit five entries per person; entries that were submitted to previous Lake

Martin Living Art & Photography Contest will not be accepted. ➡ Entry deadline is Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. Artwork must delivered to the TPI office, 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City. ➡ Each entry must be clearly labeled on the back with artist’s name and contact information. ➡ Submissions must be ready to hang. ➡ Pick up submissions on site following the awards presentation or artists must pick up works at TPI before 5 p.m. on Oct. 22.

➡ Three winners in each category: First Place - $200; Second Place - $150; Third

Place - $100; People’s Choice Award - $100. ➡ Each submitting artist will be featured inside the October issue of Lake Martin

Living magazine, and one of the first place award pieces will be featured on the cover. ➡ Winners will be recognized in The Alexander City Outlook and The Wetumpka

Herald.

SPONSORSHIPS

Award sponsorships available: Art - $500; Photography - $500; People’s Choice - $125. If you would like to be an award sponsor please contact Brittany Smith at brittany.smith@alexcityoutlook.com or Betsy Iler at betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com

ART labor day weekend n the SATURDAY, 9AMTO 5PM - SUNDAY, 9AMTO 2PM SEPTEMBER 4-5, 2021 CANCELLED lake 1 OUR CHILDREN ’ S HWY, ALEXANDER CITY, AL 35010 AT CHILDREN’S HARBOR