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In 1906 the Pickett family sold the Figh-Pickett house and
adjacent property to Professor Elly R. Barnes for the new home of
his Barnes School for Boys. Huggar Brothers Construction Company
was engaged as the contractor to convert the residence into a
school.
Alterations and drastic changes were made, including removal of
the walls in the parlors on the main floor to create one large
open space (the "Big Room" as it was called by students)for a
classroom with steel columns installed to support the second
floor. The four bedrooms on the second floor were converted to
individual classrooms.
The school served a great need in Montgomery by providing a fine
education for young men in this community. Many went on to
accomplish great things for their state and country.
When World War II began in December, 1941, it robbed the school
of all the young male teachers. Since Mr. Barnes and Mr.
Timmerman were along in years, it was decided to close the school
following the graduation in 1942.