When county schools Superintendent W.S. Neal proposed building Escambia County High School more than a century ago, the idea cost him his job.

But decades later, the county’s Historical Society have recognized how forward-thinking Neal’s idea was.

Alabama’s oldest county high school received some long-awaited recognition Tuesday morning as the Escambia County Historical Society dedicated a historical monument at the site of the original Escambia County High School.

Now serving as the Atmore Area YMCA, the building was Escambia County High School from 1909 until 1960 when the new high school opened on South Presley Street. Two different buildings sat on the site with one being destroyed in a fire in 1923 and the other holding classes from 1924 until the move to the new site.

Several county and city residents gathered for the dedication on Tuesday including members of the city council as well as the Escambia County Historical Society and the Atmore Historical Society.

The history behind the school goes back more than 100 years, said Tom McMillan, Escambia County Historical Society president.

“In 1896, the idea was started and it was 13 years until it was completed in 1909,” he said. “Superintendent Neal actually lost his job when someone ran against him, and part of it was because of this issue. They went ahead with the project due to Mr. (William) Carney’s generosity and built it. It was the first school supported by the state and the county, which is very significant.”

With the history of the original high school going back so far, memories of the building lingered through the crowd.
Atmore Mayor Howard Shell shared one memory of football games in the 1940s.

“A football field used to sit behind the stadium, and I remember Mr. (Robert) Hodnette was principal in 1945 and 1946,” he said. “We would try to sneak around and climb the fence to get in and save $.15, but he would come rout us back around. I read the history like Tom, and it has a rich history behind it. There were some forward-thinking people that established this school. With that said, I thank everyone for coming.”

The placement of the marker at the site puts a reminder in the community of the importance of the history of Atmore.

With so much downfall surrounding small towns, keeping a building in operating shape is important when others are be torn down, Shell said.

“So many times you look around and see a building being torn down,” he said. “Then you go through a city that is proud of its rich history and see where they have restored some of the older homes, it makes you feel good. My son bought one in Eufaula and when I first saw it, I got sick to my stomach. This is a memorable occasion.”

Along with the dedication, remembering the countless people that went into helping get the marker in front of the building was important.

From starting the idea to getting the marker at the site, thanks had to be given, McMillan said.

“One reason we put this here is so people could drive by and see it, so they would not have to get out of their car,” he said. “I want to thank Sally (Finlay) for coming up this idea years ago and Alan Robinson who ordered the sign and had it made. I want to thank the Escambia County Historical Society officers because they were involved in every step of this.”

A cluster of students was also on hand for the event with current Escambia County High School librarian Sheryl West bringing members of the school’s National Honor Society to witness history.

Putting historical markers up around the county is one way the Escambia County Historical Society hopes to keep the history alive for the younger generations, Finlay said.

“I’ll just tell you that the Escambia County Historical Society took on this project of trying to go around our county to commemorate certain historical sights,” she said. “Our first one was at Pollard, which is the first county seat. It sits at the little Methodist church there, which is the oldest church building. We wanted to put up the signs, so our young people will see them and not ever forget it.”