This gymnasium, built as a part of the Washington Street High School in 1954 during the era of Equalization Schools, is all that remains of Quitman’s Black high school from the last years of segregation. Washington Street, which also included an elementary school, was open from 1955-1970 and replaced Brooks High School, which was deemed substandard. According to the Georgia High School Football Association, the Washington Street football team held the Georgia Interscholastic Association record for most points scored in a game, defeating Washington High School of Blakely 126-14 on 10 October 1969. After integration, the school became Brooks County Middle School.
There is now an effort to save the gymnasium. One of its big backers is Brooks County commissioner James Maxwell, a Washington Street alumnus, who over thirty years ago was the first Black man elected to the county commission. Other alumni, including Dr. Rose Marie Horne, the first female physician in Brooks County, are passionate about preserving the gymnasium and assigning it landmark status.
In 1970, Washington Street High School, located just southeast of the remaining gym, became Brooks County Junior High School, where 8th and 9th graders attended. The elementary school, located on the northeast side of the gym served as Quitman Elementary School held class for 4th through 7th graders. The schools were in service at least until 1982. I went to elementary school and Jr High at these schools. In fact, my class, the class of 1982 was the first class to go from first grade to graduation with everyone learning together, regardless of race. Now that the buildings on South Washington are gone, and the old Quitman High School (which in 1970 (?) became Primary II, for 2nd and 3rd graders ) burned down many years ago, and most recently Walker Street Elementary (Primary I for 1st graders and ‘high 1st) having burned down, none of the historic schools in Quitman remain.