Evolving from the tradition of one of the South's greatest orators and statesmen,
Henry Grady High School has occupied its present site since 1923 when the
architectural firm of Hentz, Reid, and Adler first conceived of this building.
Finished in 1924, and originally christened the Henry W. Grady High School
for Boys, Grady has remained stable, although many additions have been made.
Housing two schools in a dwelling meant for one could prove disastrous for
almost any structure, but Grady somehow survived the Boys' High-Tech High
onslaught until 1947 when the Atlanta schools made the "big" jump
to go co-ed.
MANY ADDITIONS
In 1937, at almost the height of the depression, the Works Projects Administration
(WPA) began construction on the boys' gym and finished this masterpiece
in 1938. Built to replace the hastily built. girls' gym, which amazingly
enough is still standing, the Grady gym has a heritage no other city gym
can touch. It has been the host to many athletic events and the State Class
AAA Basketball Tournament was held there in 1943 with Jordon providing superior.
In Grady's second year as a girls and boys high school (1948) the Grady Stadium was built at the cost of $100,000. This made Grady the only school in the city to have its own stadium, a distinction which it still holds.
A new section was added to the building in 1949-1950. This section comprises the three floor area from the rampway through the office. An easier way to distinguish these rooms is to remember the rooms with green blackboards and tile floors make up this addition. The exception to this rule is room one, which was the library until 1949. The office was also moved to its present location from the Orator room at that time.
PRINCIPALS AND CHANGES
Grady High School's first principal was Miss Rosa Fletcher, who retired
shortly afterwards. Mr. E. L. Floyd stepped in and continued at this post
until 1950.
Dr. R. W. Stephens became Grady's third principal and installed the public address system at a cost of $4,200. In 1952, the 60x7 foot mural in the cafeteria was painted by Mr. Leroy Jackson.
A Senior Patio was built in 1955 and abolished in 1959. It occupied the territory which is now the eighth street teacher's parking lot.
Present Principal Roger H. Derthick came to Grady in 1956. One of the greatest changes he brought (besides a lot of spirit) were the new science labs which were built in the summer of 1960. Since then the three practice fields have become one big one; movable chair type desks have been provided for all rooms; and the language labs have been constructed.
All of these changes and the character of our building has given its a heritage that no other school in the state can touch. Be proud of it.