Tag Archives: Georgia Gymnasiums

Fitzgerald High School Gymnasium, 1950s

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This rather plain mid-century gymnasium stands behind the site of the old Fitzgerald High School, whose loss is still a great pain to the community. After World War II, when the high school outgrew its original building, newer structures were added to the campus, including the gymnasium*. It replaced the much older wooden gym at Blue & Gray Park, known far and wide as “The Shell”. Basketball was at peak popularity in Fitzgerald in the 1950s, so this was a regular gathering place not just for students but for the community as a whole. The amateur wrestling circuit made many stops here over the decades, as well.

I began high school in the 8th grade and well remember Coach Gibbs’s p.e. classes meeting here, playing dodge ball and other intramural sports. I also remember the wooden bleachers that could be pushed in accordion fashion to the walls. The building seemed ancient and derelict to me then, but it was so well-built that it’s still around. I’m unsure of its present use but am hopeful it is protected.

*- I haven’t tracked down a specific date for construction of the gymnasium, but my best guess is between 1949-1958. My father graduated in 1959 and recalls attending basketball games at the old shell and in the new gym. I’ll update when I learn more.

Washington Street High School Gymnasium, 1954, Quitman

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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.

Air Line School & Gym, Hart County

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According to Aubrey Sims, via Facebook, there have been four school buildings at Air Line. He states that two burned to the ground and this is the only one still standing. Air Line Academy was the first, and built circa 1889 near this location. In 1925, a new school was built, which consolidated Union Hill (Bethany) and Cross Roads and was renamed Air Line Consolidated School. It was destroyed by fire in November 1938. A new school, thanks to the New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) agency, was completed and opened in 1940. It originally housed all grades but after another round of consolidation, was reduced to grades 1-8. An arson fire claimed the school in 1968, and the present structure was built in 1969. It remained in use until at least the 1990s. I believe the gymnasium also dates to 1969.

Porter Memorial Gym, 1938, Porterdale

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Built as a gift to the people of Porterdale by James H. Porter in memory of his father and Porterdale founder Oliver Saffold Porter (1836-1914), the Porter Memorial Gym was one of the main gathering places in the community until the decline of the mills. It was designed by one of Georgia’s first female architects, Ellamae Ellis League.

Though a 2005 fire destroyed much of the structure and collapsed the roof, the foundation and walls remain were re-enforced and the site is occasionally used for gatherings and community events.


Porterdale Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

High School Gymnasium, 1936, Buena Vista

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As the date plate indicates, this gymnasium was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Numerous structures of this type were constructed by the New Deal agency to not only provide jobs but to improve the cultural and recreational opportunities for communities all over the nation. In small towns like Buena Vista, such facilities often served a broader purpose, hosting musical acts, dances, dramatic endeavors, and charity events. Basketball was the central focus, however, and it was more popular than football in most communities until at least the 1960s.

The building is in a state of serious disrepair and has likely been unused for many years.

Hubbard Elementary and High School, 1955, Forsyth

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The campus of the old Hubbard Elementary and High School, with modern structures built during the era of Equalization Schools, is now a public facility and park known as the W. M. Hubbard Complex. After desegregation, the school became Hubbard Middle School, but like most mid-century school buildings, mold, asbestos, and related issues likely led to its eventual abandonment.


Some buildings have been razed and those remaining, including the gymnasium, have been restored and are now used by groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Patterson Gymnasium, Pierce County

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This is the old Patterson High School gymnasium. It’s in better shape than most of the surviving wooden gymnasiums built before World War II. Basketball was usually the biggest sport in rural communities in the first half of the 20th century and this was the home of the Patterson High Eagles. I believe it was built in the 1930s [early 1940s at the latest].

Danburg School Gymnasium, Circa 1920s

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The old Danburg School is standing, but not accessible as it is on private property. The gymnasium is visible from the road. The school was built in 1926 and this structure is typical of gymnasiums built between circa 1920s-1940s. Football wasn’t nearly as dominant in the first half of the 20th century as it is today and basketball reigned supreme in smaller communities. This would have been a busy place in its day, though by 1944 the school was consolidated with Tignall.

Warwick Gymnasium, Worth County

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This gymnasium [photographed in 2010] was part of the Warwick Consolidated School, which was built in 1923.

Oconee High School, 1952, Dublin

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Oconee High School Gymnasium, Circa 1952

Oconee High School was the black high school in Dublin from 1952 until its closure in 1972. Like most equalization schools, it had a relatively short history, but an active national alumni association keeps its memory alive. The gymnasium, football field, and one other building [which I haven’t identified] survive, but the school itself is long gone.

Oconee High School, Unidentified Building

A marker placed by the alumni association gives a brief overview of the school’s history: In 1952, land was purchased from W. H. Lovett to build a new high school for African “colored” American students replacing Washington Street High. The school was named by Marine C. Bacote after the Oconee River nearby. It was the home of the “Mighty Trojans”, the “Blue and Gold” our sons shall ever defend. Lucius T. Bacote served as the first principal (1952-1959); he was succeeded by Charles W. Manning, Sr. (1959-1970). The school’s spirit of excellence, pride, and philosophy were the foundation for the success of African-American students during segregation.

The gymnasium and football field are still used as community resources today, as the Oconee Community Center, administrated by the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority.