The Furlow Female College originally stood on this site and after being closed was used as the first public school in Americus, beginning in 1880. It was replaced by this structure, known as the Furlow Grammar School, in 1914.
My friend Joan Holloway shared this treasure and if I understand her correctly, this photograph is Mrs. Glenn’s First Grade class, dressed for what Joan called “Tacky Day”. She notes she was the girl standing in the front row, with white gloves. Joan notes: I attended first and second grades at Furlow. I started after my sister was born in Savannah in October 1944. Mrs. Glenn was my teacher. Then the next year 1944-45 I was in Miss Klebe Kemp’s second grade. The summer of 1945 we moved back to Savannah. Note all the open windows-air conditioning wasn’t known back then..
We were living in Americus in Sep 1943 but the school didn’t want me to be enrolled until I “grew some more.” The next school year my mom was expecting and we returned to Savannah in order for my grandmother to help my mom after she gave birth to my sister. (In those days women stayed in bed for about 30 days after they gave birth.)
I actually attended 38th Street School here in Savannah until mom and baby could safely ride the train home. Furlow School then let me transfer in when we returned to Americus.
Americus was a great little town. I have lots of fond memories of living there. We first lived at 201 East Hill Street. My favorite thing to do there was walk barefoot in the soft red clay after a summer rain. It would be so much fun to feel soft, cool clay squishing up between my toes again! The following day my brother and I would stand in our then hardened footprints.
I really enjoy your photos of Americus. The Lee Street House was the second House we lived in there. Did you know that house has 3 backyards! During the war four families lived in it. The Lees and Hendricks lived downstairs and my family (Thomas) and a young childless couple lived upstairs. I think their name was Hollis. They were crazy about my little sister and she called him “Holly.”
Two old aunts of a well-known war reporter lived next door (to your right as you look at the house). I remember he was married in their backyard and I watched the ceremony from a window. It was the first wedding I ever “attended.”
Americus Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
How do I delete my 2 posts from this page ? (Sandy Hyder)
I attended Furlow in 1954. My first grade teacher was Ms. Bynum, second grade teacher was Ms. Worthy, and third grade teacher was Ms. Hart.
I remember those big stairs and the extremely heavy door leading to the basement lunchroom. Ms. Walker was in charge of the lunchroom. On special soup or chili day we would find bowls of a peanut butter and honey mixture for our bread to make sandwiches. I always held up 2 fingers for 2 slices of bread on my tray. LOL
I also remember how very large the windows were and how the teacher had to use a hooked pole to pull down the shades. Do you remember how we all knew another class was having a film day? Every film started with the music “Dixie.” LOL
My favorite times were the days we went to the music room and daily recess. I don’t think I ever made it to the top of the old concrete well that looked like a pyramid.
So many wonderful memories. If anyone was in my classes during the years 1954 through 1957, I would love to hear from you.
I am now 75 and had a wonderful life of teaching. I wish I could walk into the school one more time. LawrenceFrost@aol.com
Sandy Hyder
February 15, 2023 at 1:44 PM
Does anyone know where I can get photos or names of the children that went to grammer school in Americus from 1914 to 1920- I’m searching for my great aunt, Seby M. Bass that lived in Americus with her grandparents who adopted her; Jacob Easterling & Ella Viola Fulford Bass. They later moved to Tifton, Ga. Please email me with information – sandyhyder@hotmail.com . I’ve been searching for years for Seby & I know that she’s listed in the 1910 census in Sumter County but other records show that she died in 1920 but I can’t find our anything more about her.
Does anyone know where I can get photos or names of the children that went to grammer school in Americus from 1914 to 1920- I’m searching for my great aunt, Seby M. Bass that lived in Americus with her grandparents who adopted her; Jacob Easterling & Ella Viola Fulford Bass. They later moved to Tifton, Ga. Please email me with information – sandyhyder@hotmail.com . I’ve been searching for years for Seby & I know that she’s listed in the 1910 census but other records show that she died in 1920 but I can’t find our anything more about her.
The little red school house behind Furlow Grammar was torn down years ago. Furlow Grammar now has a fence around it…sad to see! I go by when i go to Americus just to reflect on all the fond memories.
I would really like to know who the little girl is in this photo she is second on the left back row with flowers on her hair. There is a family resemblance.
Sara, it has been a long time. I’m sorry I can’t remember the girl’s name, but I thought for years that she may be my close friend (Mary Faye Thomas) who lived down the street from me. Her dad and my dad worked for the Seaboard Air Line RR. Her parents were Mable and Woodrow Thomas. We told everyone we were sisters since we shared the same surname, but we were not related. At the time I had a brother but she was an only child.
If that name fits, ask Brian to privately send you my email address.
I went to Furlow in 3rd-5th grades, 1963-66. Mrs. Morgan was the principal. She retired at the end of my 5th grade year, along with Mrs. Keaton and Mrs. McKlesky. My family lived on Forrest St. behind the school; us kids spent many many hours playing on the playground. It breaks my heart to see this beautiful building in such disrepair.
We opened the windows, too. I don’t think the building was ever air conditioned.
I went to furlow in the 60s….do they have pictures of the inside what it looks like now?..
Beth, I’d love to help with the marker you think that should be there, and still have local contacts. I’m sure there must be a local historical society there. Please contact me if you’re still interested and I’ll see what my classmates can do. We were the class of ‘60 who started at Furlow, and I feel sure we can get this to happen! Call my cell 786-205-4439 or email suemac@earthlink.net if you like. Thanks!
Good luck with your efforts. Please let us know when you get the marker placed.
I swear there was a marker in front of the school when I was growing up. Anyway, I found a picture of a marker downtown that references it. I don’t remember seeing it, though. https://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/sumter/confederate-hospitals4
Some great, old, and neat finds in Americus..and lots of interesting, local history to accompany. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald’s own old high school and hospital landmarks are no longer around.
Furlow College was also used as a Confederate Hospital during the war Between the States, Braggs Hospital
I’ve been trying to get someone to put a brown Ga history marker there. I have a write up I sent to Atlanta but the person I was corresponding with said she could not help me. This was a female college, the first public school in Americus and the building standing there as seen many of us going to school there. I’m 83 and went there first and second grade and 4 of my children went to school there. There should be a history marker there.
Americus sounds like a community that cares about their history and
preservation of their historic buildings.
I went to school at Furlow from first grade through grade 6 back in the 40’s and it was wonderful. I still keep track of classmates there and shared this, along with all the great photos of the lovely Victorian homes in Americus you posted. I lived in one of them on Rees Park, which I believe was built by same architect or family as the historic Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus. Thanks for these great photos!
Sue McGowan Lewis
Sue, I also attended Furlow. I was in Mrs Glenn’s first grade in 1944-45 and in Miss Cleve Kemp’s second grade, 1945-46. My dad was employed by the Seaboard Airline Railroad. My family returned to Savannah the Summer of 1946. I still have a cardboard elf that someone made for the students (can’t remember which year). He wears a little red hat and vest made of a cotton material. I honor it with a place on my tree every year since. I tell by grandchildren he was the first generation Elf on the Shelf! Do you remember Tacky Day and buying War Bonds and Stamps?
Brian, I always enjoy your photos. I thank God for your talents and time.
Brian, please correct the spelling of Miss Clebe’s name. Spell checking changed the “b” to a “v.” Thanks
Hi Joan, and sorry we missed each other at Furlow! I started first grade in ‘48 or ‘49, so I missed the war bonds and stamps but do remember being talked about and seeing the leftover ones in the house back then from earlier years, before I started to school. My first grade teacher was Miss Snyder, and she was wonderful and patient. In second grade I had a Mrs. Lewis, and older lady, and after that the names are lost to me. I have family in Savannah historically and even some now, my oldest, her husband and two daughters, near Armstrong College in Windsor Forrest area. Like you I’m grateful for this site and alway eager to see the pictures as I have history in so many areas of Georgia, a wonderful state indeed. We were, and still are, blessed! Happy New Year!
Mrs. Glenn was my first grade teacher also! Such fond, warm memories at Furlow Grammar!