History of the Boys' High School

One of the most important resolutions ever introduced in the Council of the City of Atlanta was that of Alderman D. C. O'Keefe, on September 24, 1869 when he requested that the Mayor, two Councilmen and seven citizens investigate the needs of Public Schools in Atlanta.

This resolution was adopted and a committee appointed, consisting of Mayor W. H. Hulsey, E. R. Carr, Dr. D.C. O'Keefe of the Council., and J. P. Logan, S. H. Stout, W. M. Janes, J. H. Flynn, David Mayer, E. E. Rawson and L. J. Gartrell, on the part of Atlanta's citizens.

This committee met September 29, 1869, and appointed sub-committees. One of these was to investigate the Public Schools of Northern cities, and another to investigate the legality of taxation for the support of Public School.

On November 22, 1869, the Committee on investigation reported favorably for Public Schools, and recommended a Board of Education, and a Superintendent, to be elected by the Board. This recommendation was adopted; but from the citizens of Atlanta rose a storm of protest, for the Civil War was fresh in their minds and anything modeled after the North aroused their animosity. But the committee worked patiently against all criticism.

In accordance with the above recommendation, the Council, on Dec. 10, 1869, elected as members of the first Board of Education the following gentlemen: Joseph E. Brown, Joseph P. Logan, E. E. Rawson, L. E. Bleckley, J. H. Flynn, L. P. Grant, David Mayer, H. T. Phillips, Dr. S. H. Stout. W. A. Hemphill, M. C. Blanchard, and Dr. D. C. O'Keefe. Hon. Jos. E. Brown was elected President, J. P. Logan, Vice-President, and Dr. S. H. Stout, Secretary.

On September 2, 1871, the Board elected Mr. Bernard Mallon, Superintendent of Savannah schools, to the same position in Atlanta's schools, and on November 15, 1871, he assumed his duties.

On November 18, 1871, the Board of Education decided to separate the boys and girls in the High School, and the building committee was instructed to secure suitable buildings for the High Schools.

Atlanta opened the doors of her first school to the public on January 30, 1872, at Ivy Street School, and the Boys' High School opened Thursday, February 1, 1872, in a building which was then known as the James Building, at the corner of Whitehall and Hunter Streets, where High's Department store now stands. The teachers were Mr. W. M. Janes, principal, Mr. E. G. Moore, Second Grade, and our well-known and honored teacher, Mr. W. A. Bass, Third Grade. In this school the third grade was the lowest and the first the highest. The enrollment for the first year was 124. The course of study consisted of Algebra, Geometry, and Arithmetic, in Mathematics; in the Languages, Latin, Greek, and German ; in Science, Chemistry, Astronomy, Physical Geography, and Philosophy; in English, Rhetoric, Composition, and Grammar.

In 1873, the following year, Mr. D. Wills succeeded Mr. W. M. Janes as principal. It was during this year that the old Oglethorpe College building was leased and became the permanent home of the Girls' High School, and afterwards the temporary home of the Boys' High School. The enrollment of the school this year increased to 130, and on July 1, 1873, the first graduating classes of Atlanta's High Schools received their diplomas. There were five from the Boys' High School, as follows:

Marion Erwin, Gustavus Orr, Frank Harris, Stephen A. Ryan, Peter John Schumann.

The Girls' High School class consisted of eleven young ladies.

In 1874 the Boys' High School moved to a building on Ivy Street, just off of Edgewood Avenue, and the faculty was reduced to two members. Mr. W. F. Slaton succeeded Mr. Wills as principal, with Mr. W. A. Bass as his assistant. During this year the Alciphronian Literary and Debating Society was instituted by Major Slaton, and has been continued until this date, with excellent results. Many boys have been trained in public speaking and the society has cultivated some excellent orators and debaters during its existence. The name of the society is derived from a noted Greek rhetorician, Alciphron.

Seventeen young men graduated from this institution this year.

The succeeding year, 1875, the number of pupils decreased to 90, with only nine graduates.

For the third time since its foundation the school changed its locality, in 1876, to the basement of the Girls' High School building. This year there were 93 pupils and 15 graduates.

In 1877 the schools suffered from lack of appropriations, and although a tuition of $4.00 per month was charged the school was forced to suspend in December. The school this year reached the lowest tide of enrollment in its history, having only 75 pupils. By an effort the school was opened in January, and the term completed. The Alciphronian Literary and Debating Society on June 28, gave its closing exercises, a debate, "Resolved, that the education of the mind necessarily improves the morals," J. H. Bradley officiating as president. On the following day the fifth graduating class, consisting of fourteen members, received their diplomas.

In 1878 the school began to revive from the depression, 113 pupils being enrolled. The graduating class consisted of eighteen boys.

In 1879 Superintendent Mallon left Atlanta, and Major W. F. Slaton was elected to fill his place. Mr. James T. White succeeded Mr. Slaton as principal. The schools continued to grow this year, enrolling 133 pupils, and graduating 22 on June 24, 1879. In 1880 the number of graduates fell to 17.

In 1881 Professor W. A. Bass received his long deserved promotion to the office of principal: Mr. W. M. Slaton was elected as his assistant. The enrollment this year fell to one hundred boys and only 15 graduated On Julie 23.

In 1882 Superintendent Slaton recommended a new building for the Boys' High School. The attendance was seriously injured by the locality of the school, in the basement of the Girls' High School Building, and only eleven boys graduated, out of an enrollment of 111.

In 1883 the Boys' High School was again removed to the old City Hall, which was situated where the State Capitol now stands. A new school was urged by the Board of Education for the permanent location of the Boys' High School. Twenty-two boys graduated this year.

The next year, when the old City Hall was torn away to begin building the State House, the school was moved to a temporary building, on the Girls' High School lot. This building was sufficient in seating capacity but a building for the permanent location was again urged. Major Slaton says in his report, "The Boys' High School, under its efficient teachers has maintained its high standard, and is returning to the city, annually, many young men thoroughly trained for the work of life." Sixteen boys completed their course, and received their diplomas this year.

In the succeeding year, 1885 the grading of pupils was reversed. The first grade, which was formerly the highest became the lowest. Many boys were kept from school because of its crowded condition, and there were only 107 pupils and 12 graduates. This year President Joseph Brown recommended a proposition, "To connect with our system a School of Technology for the City of Atlanta."

The temporary building the next year was overcrowded, the enrollment being 154, seventeen boys were made alumni in 1886. This year Council appropriated $25,000 for a new building on Washington Street, but it was not completed for occupancy before 1888.

At the beginning of the scholastic year 1887 the attendance increased to 163, requiring the services of an extra teacher, Mr. M. L. Brittain. This was a prosperous year, and 22 young men completed their course.

At the beginning of the term of 1888 the school moved into its new home, which was located on Washington Street, near the Capitol. Its seating capacity was 200, but there were only 153 enrolled. This year the Superintendent recommended that a course of stenography, typewriting, and book-keeping, similar to that of the commercial course of the Girls' High School, be introduced into the Boys' High School. Thus we see that the importance of a manual and a business training was recognized, even in the early years of the school.

The next year the High School increased in attendance having an enrollment of 171 pupils. Mr. W. J. Noyes was added to the faculty. The school building was thoroughly overhauled and a modern equipment was installed. Twenty-two young Atlantians received their sheepskins this year.

During the next scholastic year, 1890, Mr. J. T. Daves was added to the High School faculty. The Girls' High School had out grown its building and the Board recommended moving the boys and annexing their building to the Girls' High School. This year out of an enrollment of 173 pupils, 23 boys received the coveted engraved parchment.

The High School continued to grow in the estimation of the citizens of Atlanta, and 224 boys were enrolled in 1891. The increased attendance necessitated the election of more teachers. Mr. Daves discontinued his connection, and Mr. Brittain and Mr. Noyes were re-elected members of the faculty. Twenty-three boys were graduated from the institution this year. In 1892 several important changes were made in the High School. Professor W. A. Bass, for many years principal, was elected Assistant Superintendent, and Professor W. M. Slaton succeeded him as principal. Mr. L. M. Landrum was elected to fill the vacancy, caused by Professor Bass's promotion. The school was moved to the old Medical College, corner Edgewood Avenue and Porter Street. 249 boys were enrolled. Superintendent Slaton says, "The Boys' High School is more prosperous than it has ever been in its history." The College was leased for three years and the Superintendent urged a new building readyfor occupancy at the expiration of the lease. The largest number of graduates since the foundation of the school graduated this year, there being a class of twenty-eight.

In 1893 Mr. Noyes resigned, and Mr. E. C. Merry, Mr. E. E. West, and Mr. C. W. Ottley, began teaching in the school. This addition to the faculty, was the result of the High School's growth, the enrollment this year reaching 268 pupils; 33 young men were added to the list of High School alumni.

Major Slaton says, "From garret to cellar the Boys' High School has been moved from year to year. It has never had a home of its own. The time has come to locate this school." In response to this urgent need Council appropriated enough money for a new school. This building started immediately and the corner stone was laid in 1894.

In 1894 Mr. Merry resigned, and our present principal, Mr. W. F. Dykes, began teaching in his place. This year the enrollment reached 301, with 24 graduates. The next year Mr. H. W. Jones was added to the faculty. The school continued its successful work and the result was a graduating class of 34 members out of all enrollment of 299 boys.

The beginning of the scholastic year 1896 marks a new era in the High School. In September the school moved to its permanent home, corner of Courtland and Gilmer Streets. The enrollment of the new school was 300, and the first graduating class consisted of 30 members.

In 1897 Mr. L. M. Landrum was elected Assistant Superintendent, and Mr. W. A. Bass was put back in the High School faculty. This year several important changes were made. Hitherto one teacher taught one class every subject, but the teachers were now given a specialty of certain subjects, and this system remains today. Another important change went into effect with this year. Corporal punishment was abolished and the demerit and suspension system was adopted. This system still survives, to the sorrow of many a student. Semi-annual promotions were also instituted, but they did not meet with favor. In June thirty-two boys were rewarded with diplomas for their work in this institution.

The school continued to grow and in 1898 the enrollment reached 306, and Mr. George LeFevre was added to the faculty. There were 36 graduates in the class of '98.

The next year another member of the present faculty, Mr. Eugene Ragland, was added as instructor in science to succeed Mr. LeFevre. Major Slaton said in his report, "We need a business department. A majority of our boys enter upon a business career after graduation." The Superintendent again pointed out the value of a business and technical training, besides classical, for in the same report he says "Manual training would meet a growing demand. I desire to see it adopted in our schools." The enrollment was 290 and the graduates numbered 44.

In the year 1900 Mr. W. M. Greenlee, teacher of Languages, and Mr. Walker White, teacher of the newly established business course, were added to the faculty. Rooms of the High School Building were in this same year fitted up for a manual training shop, for the grammar schools, with Mr. E. E.Utterbach as teacher. Principal Slaton said, "The Boys' High School has had a very prosperous year, and is not surpassed by any in the state." The enrollment was 265 and 33 were added to the growing list of High School alumni.

In 1901 Mr. A. H. Foster succeeded Mr. White as instructor of the business course. Thirty-four were graduated, out of an enrollment of 207.

In 1902 R. B. Dixon was added to the faculty as all associate teacher of English. In December he resigned, and Mr. W. W. Tindall was elected to succeed him. This year the Technological Department was added to the School, and Mr. H. S. Paschall was engaged as instructor.

In 1903 the faculty consisted of nine gentlemen: Professors Slaton, Dykes, Bass, Greenlee, Ragland, and Tindall, instructors of the Classical Department, Professors Parks and Paschall, of the Technological, and Prof. Smith and Mr. Ansted of the Business. These gentlemen, with the exception of Mr. Ansted, Mr. Parks and Mr. Paschall, are members of the present faculty.

In the past six years the school has grown to such proportions that several teachers were added, namely Professors C. S. Culver and H. S. Printup, to succeed Professors Parks and Paschall, in 1904; Professors R. C. Little, W. C. Lowe, and T. B. Armstrong, in 1905 ; Professors C. H. Dean and J. V. Hodges, in 1906. At the end of the 1906 term Prof. Printup resigned, and Mr. M. Trapnell succeeded him, but resigned after teaching about five months, Mr. E. S. Maclin succeeding him. Prof. J. F. Johnston was also added in this year. Mr. G. H. Gillon, a High School alumnus and Mr. W. R. Snyder were the latest recruits, being added at the beginning of 1908.

In 1907 Prof. W. M. Slaton was made Superintendent, and Prof. W. F. Dykes succeeded him as principal.

1909 has been the banner year for the High School. There has been a marked improvement in the school during the year. The 1908 graduating class, in loyalty to the school, formed the "Five Hundred Club," the object of which was to raise the number of High School students to 500. The boys entered so enthusiastically into this club that the result, was an increase of from 319 to 394 in the enrollment of the school, the increase being greater than for any preceding year in the history of the school.

The class of '09 numbers 64, this being the largest class ever graduated from the Boys' High School.

The Boys' High School has been unusually successful in the past, and has an even brighter future. May it continue its good work for generations, and remain as one of Atlanta's foremost educational institutions.

ROY D. McGAUGHEY, Historian.