Recalling Golden Days at West Side School

Composers Will Cobb and Gus Edwards wrote "School Days" in 1907, the same year that West End School (later renamed West Side School) opened along what was then the west section of town.

West Side School Memories Shared by Reader

Harriet Barkei, formerly of Johnson City, wrote me sharing additional memories of West Side School. We attended separate classes there during the 1949-1950 school year.

Junior High School - Purportedly Held Together By Chewing Gum

It was known as the school held together by chewing gum, but on March 4, 1974, all the chicle in the world could not have saved it. The massive three-story brick edifice at Roan Street and Fairview Avenue fell victim to a huge wrecking ball.

SHHS Yearbook Portal to School Life in 1925

I purchased a 1925 Science Hill High School yearbook, The Wataugan, having belonged to Billy Joe Crouch, a senior with impressive student credits. I find it heartrending that what was once a priceless possession of Ethie, as he was called, became an object of financial gain eighty-one years later.

Princeton Arts Center; Former City Schoolhouse, Named Wisely

Few things are more nostalgic than the thought of an old schoolhouse with its resounding bell, tin ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors, black potbellied stove, desks with inkwells and slate blackboards. The rope or hand-operated bell’s toll echoed across the vast countryside each weekday, beckoning youngsters to and from school.

Blue Horse Products were Once All the Rage in School

From my five years at Henry Johnson School during the early 1950s, I recall an unusual steed that “galloped” through school bookstores all across this country. The animal was the famous Blue Horse trademark of Atlanta’s Montag Brothers' Paper Company, a 40-year enterprise established soon after the Great Depression.

West Side: Two City Schools Shared a Name

I received a handwritten letter from Geneva Feathers, offering some largely forgotten memories of West Side School in 1930. In her letter, she mentioned two West Side Schools, one having been located at 812 W. Market Street and the other at 349 W. Main Street, the one she attended. Why would Johnson City have two grammar schools with identical names?

Junior High Alumnus Recalls Bygone Era

It is a joy to receive correspondence from those who bring to mind long-deceased unique individuals from yesteryear. Stan Barlow sent me a note responding to my previous Junior High School column, sharing cherished memories of an era long since passed.

1934 Civics Class Learned to Know Their City

The 53 seniors in Junior High School’s 1934 Civics class provided the information used in today’s column. The source is an impressive 25-page typewritten student project, “Know Our City.”

Teacher Stamps Student's Life With Pleasant Memories

Miss Gordon Grubbs, my sixth grade teacher, devised an ingenious scheme for getting her students to better appreciate the class. She announced the formation of the Super Sticker Stamp Club, a weekly voluntary gathering that met after school in her classroom.

1966 Computer Didn't Quite Yield Perfect Valentine

In 1966, I was a senior at the University of Tennessee in the era of slide rules, large heavy simplistic desktop calculators and no PCs. Computers were relatively slow oversized machines, driven by stacks of labor consuming keypunched cards.

Memories of Cave Spring School from Two Former Students

Kate Watson and Mack Houston have warm feelings for Cave Springs School that stood near Milligan College between 1909 and 1955.

Underground Publication The Trumpet Made Short Lived Noise

John Anderson, a former student at Training School (now called University High), mailed me a copy of The Trumpet, a 1959 underground publication that he and other students produced.

First Volume of "Wataugan" Time Capsule of 1921 Science Hill High School

Richard Jackson, a 1958 Science Hill High School graduate, permitted me to examine a 1921 Wataugan that he purchased from an antique store. It was a jewel.

1949-1952 Junior High Recollections Include "Coin Toss, " Paddling

My two columns on Johnson City's Junior High School brought back treasured memories to an area resident. Dr. Jim Bowman, retired ETSU professor, provided me with an assortment of written reminisces covering his attendance at the school between 1949 and 1952.

For Science Hill Hight School Class of '61, It Was Out With the Old, In With the New

In March 1961, my fellow Science Hill High School students and I began an orderly transfer to a new spacious modern school building located on John Exum Parkway. We hardly glanced back to the top of Roan Hill where students, dating back to 1864, had received an education.

Clipping in Scrapbook Details Martha Wilder School Entertainment

My grandmother Cox’s scrapbook contains an undated newspaper clipping with the heading “Martha Wilder Entertains.” The article deals with students giving “one of the most delightful and successful entertainments of all the spring festivities.”

McGuffey's Reader Was Once Important Tool In Local Schoolrooms

Imagine looking in on a one-room school in 1880 infant Johnson City with one teacher instructing six grades. Miss Stern, a strict, priggish schoolmarm is sitting at her desk with a shiny red apple positioned to her right.

1938 High School Annual Offers Vignettes, "Sings A Song of Science Hill"

One year ago yesterday, Johnson City lost one of its crown jewels. Mrs. Ida Miller Cowell, widow of former city commissioner and radio and television legend Eddie Cowell passed away after a lingering illness. Today’s column is a brief review of her school annual as a tribute to this fine lady.

Readers Share Memories of Old West Side School, City Landmark Until 1961

I received correspondence from seven readers over the past several months whose cherished recollections of West Side School just keep flowing from their memories.

"Bar Tracks" Gives Look At Boones Creek High School Student Life in 1960

A yellowed-with-age April 15, 1960 12-page Boones Creek High School publication, “Bar Tracks,” offers an interesting peek into student life of almost a half century ago.

Birds, Recreation Clubs on List of Activities at City Junior High in 1940

The May 24, 1940 student publication, “Junior High News,” offered a synopsis of 16 school sponsored clubs that included each one’s purpose, faculty sponsor, president, vice-president (vp) and secretary.

Junior High Teacher of Tennessee History Made Impact on Subject, Student

Miss Dora Huddle, my “Tennessee History” teacher in Junior High School,was a highly knowledgeable and dedicated instructor who made a giant educational mark on my life by spurring my interest in local history.

Former Colleague Recalls Dedication, Kindness of Teacher

My recent column concerning Miss Dora Huddle, former Tennessee History teacher at Junior High School, prompted a note from Betty Durman, saying the article brought back many memories of her first years in Johnson City.

Commercial Publication of 1939 Was Compiled by Business Students at SHHS

On Feb. 27, 1939, the Commercial Club of Science Hill High School issued a 4-page publication titled, “Commercial News,” a periodical originated in the previous year.

"Closing Exercises" A Window to Past of Science Hill Institute

Sue Carr Eckstein recently shared with me a highly interesting document,: a two-page program, “Science Hill Male and Female Institute, Johnson City, Tenn., May 26, 1871, Closing Exercises.”

Booklet Encapulates Period Nine Years before City Was a City

An impressive booklet titled “Annual Catalogue of Boon’s Creek Male and Female Institute for 1860 and 1861” embodies a time in history nine years before Johnson’s Depot (Johnson City) was incorporated.

1940 Barlow School Editorial Brings Back Great Memories

While examining a May 24, 1940 student newspaper, “Junior High News - Graduation Edition,” I spotted a name in the “Guest Editorial” section that I recognized - Stan Barlow, an occasional contributor to my column.

"The Argonaut" - Publication Was One of Many Yearbook Names Used at SHHS

Louise Bond Alley provided me with copies of three old Science Hill High School annuals for years 1915, 1916 and 1917. They once belonged to her mother, Edith Bond.

School Building Programs Nothing New, City Undertook Big School Growth Project in Late 1920s

The September 1932 “School Board Journal” titled, “The Johnson City, Tennessee, Building Program,” spoke of an ambitious school enhancement project that began in the city on March 6, 1929.

Life Was Good At Old West Side School

Terry Parsons, who attended old West Side School between 1951 and 1957, offered his personal reflections.

SHHS Annual Was "Green and Gold" For A Year

Science Hill High School’s 1916 annual, titled “Green and Gold,” measured approximately 6 by 8.5 inches. The cover was appropriated adorned in green with gold letters.

Cedar Creek Academy Served Educational Needs of Gray Students

The start of a new school year is a time of moaning for some students and one of rejoicing for others. It also allows those of us who have long left the hallowed halls and ivy-covered walls to reflect on our favorite nostalgic memories.

"Plowboy" Farmer Achieved Fame at Roosevelt Stadium

Recent issues concerning Memorial (initially called Roosevelt) Stadium at 540 E. Main Street evoke cherished memories from many older residents who attended SHHS football games and other sporting events there.

Proud Daughter Recalls Remarkable Father, Doc. Simmons

William Warren “Doc” Simmons played a significant role in creating Johnson City’s Vocational Training program.

1939 Science Hill Publication Announces Opening of New Gym

I fondly recall going to basketball games in the old Science Hill High School gymnasium that stood atop “The Hill” in downtown Johnson City.

Hoover's 1928 Visit Here Hugh Event for SHHS Orchestra

In 1928, President Herbert Hoover delivered an address at National Soldiers Home in the afternoon and then attended a banquet at the John Sevier Hotel.

SHHS Key Club Had Long History of Student Services

On July 19, 1959, I received a letter from the president of the Science Hill High School Key Club, a student all male organization sponsored by the city’s Kiwanis Club, inviting me to join this group.

Key Club Member Shares 1940s Memories of Student Groups

Glenn Stroup commented on my Science Hill High School Key Club article. He was a charter member when the club reorganized in 1949 after a hiatus during the World War II years.

SHHS Student Newspapers, "The Hilltop," Offer Look at Classes from 1959-60-61

Science Hill High School’s classes of 1959-60-61 will celebrate a joint 49-50-51- year reunion on July 9-10, 2010.

A 1960 Memory Stroll Down the Hallowed Halls of Old Science Hill High School

Let's take a memory stroll down the hallowed halls of old Science Hill. The year is 1960.

Mrs. Alf Taylor, Jr. Was Huge Fan of Uncle Wiggily Longears

During 1952-53, I was in Mrs. Fannie Taylor’s fourth grade class at Henry Johnson School. She was the wife of Alf Taylor, whose father, Alf, was a former Tennessee Governor.