School Pictures 1908, 1933, 1937, 2002

A tradition of almost a century of teaching in this location. History of Robert Donnell Academy ( Centennial 1908-2008 ) and the original Madison County High school, Madison County Middle School. Much of the original architecture has been preserved. The text was kept as written by the author Lillian W. Power. Found in the back of a file cabinet and adapted for the web by the webmaster. The researched (added) pictures were reduced to be more appropriate for Internet use. If you want to have the original digital copies (larger size) or to add any comments or information send me an email . Thank you for sharing these pictures.

Madison County Middle School Aerial photograph taken in 2002 by Vincent G. Schneider during BSA troop 96 aviation merit badge requirements

History of schools at Gurley

Author: Lillian W. Power
Article Date: unknown (aprox: 1982)
Adapted and researched information with Pictures gathered since January 2000 for the web: 12-11-2004 by the webmaster
The federal government bought Madison County from the Cherokee Indians in 1817. Gurley did not become a part of Madison County until 1826.
There was some type of school before 1860 but no records have been found to that effect. Between 1860 and 1890 an academy was established on the north side of the railroad, and there was a public school directly in front of the academy on the south side of the railroad. These schools were in the vicinity of the Mattie Shaw house, which burned recently. The academy, which had only 3 teachers, burned in 1890. The Presbyterian Church saw the need for an institution of learning; for they had always advocated educating their ministers. Robert Donnell Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church set out to find a location in the area, which would be coeducational.

Governor Comer visited Gurley, and Gurley was chosen to get the new school in Madison County
(Centennial 1908-2008)

Captain Frank Gurley gave five acres of land on which to locate the school. The Robert Donnell school was completed Aug 1 1893. Two dormitories were built, one for boys and the other for girls. Classes began in the fall of 1893. Miss Ernestine Hall, whom we knew as Mrs. John Bogensholt, was the one graduate in 1894.In 1895 Governor Comer decided to establish high schools in the state. A decision had to be made as to whether Huntsville or Gurley would get the new school in Madison County. Governor Comer visited Gurley, and Gurley was chosen to get the new school in Madison County.

Robert Donnell Academy 1902

Terry D. Lee volunteer and webmaster for the Madison Co. Records Center found this document in the Probate case file of William J. Walker. Thank you Terry! (Madison County Treasures)

In 1908 the Robert Donnell Academy was transferred to the state and it became the first accredited school in Madison County. The name of the school was changed to Madison County High School, the name which it bears today. The building described above was used until 1936, when it was torn down and the present high school was built. The public school that the most of us attended over the hill, where the principal's home is now, was closed. Robert Ellet, who was the principal, the teachers, and children were transferred to the new building at Gurley. This building was built to serve all 12 grades. There were 10 teachers.

Students outside the newly acquired Madison High School 1908 or 1910

• In 1910 there was two graduates, Mrs. John Bartee, who lives on the east side of the town, was one of them. She is 91 years old and a very gracious lady. The other was Lucy Inez Sanders is deceased (at the time this article was posted) .

• Professor B. B. Broughton was the last principal of Robert Donnell Academy and also the first principal of the Madison County High School.

• The first gymnasium was built in 1934. It was built of field rocks by W.P.A. labor.

Robert Donnell Academy and original Madison County High school until 1936

• The first annual Memories was published in 1938.

Madison County Junior Class of 1937

• School lunches were served in the old Home Economics Building during the 1940's. The first cafeteria was built in 1950.

• The new Home Economics and Vocational Agricultural buildings were built in 1954. B. C. Adcox was the first vocational agricultural teacher. The building was named in honor of Adcox who died on February 24, 1976.

• The first elementary music teacher, Mrs. Ruth Ford, came to the school in 1956.

• In 1958 six new classrooms were built just across the side street on the East side of the main building. (This was a cotton patch when we were there.) This building served the first three grades; thus Gurley Elementary School was established.

• The first full-time librarian, Mrs. Margarette Anne Nelson, came in 1961.

• The new football field and stadium were completed in 1965.

• A larger and more modern cafeteria was built in 1966. It has a seating capacity of 225 and serves well over 500 plate lunches each day, in addition to sandwiches, salads, and other "goodies."

• In 1964 six more classrooms were added to the elementary building and in 1976 a four-room pod was built. Later in 1979 when Big Cove School closed, a four-room pod was moved to Gurley and the student body was transferred there.

• The first kindergarten was established in 1967. Also in this year the first elementary library was established, and Mrs. Fern Hulsey was the first librarian.

• The new gymnasium was built in 1967 with a seating capacity of over 800. It was named in honor of W.E. Popejoy, who died July 13, 1976.

• The new baseball field is located where the old football field once was. It was named in honor of H. G. Solley, who died June 17, 1979.

• The student body has steadily increased since 1938. In 1938 there was 10 teachers and 355 students; in 1945; 12 teachers, 365 students; in 1955, 20 teachers, 560 students; in 1965, 24 teachers, 563 students; in 1975 39 teachers, 729 students; in 1980, 42 teachers, 919 students; in 1982, 43 teachers, 951 students.
  There are now 43 classrooms, two libraries, which contain over 10,000 books, and there is a graduation class of 102.

• The smallest graduating class was in 1894 with one graduate. The largest class in 1977 with 102 graduates.

Madison County High School Class of 1937

• The following are the principals who served in chronological order:
  Lillian Taylor Wall, Conder, Wyatt, B. B. Broughton, Berry, W.T. Stephens, J. M. Laird, Meadows, Elsworth Ellis, G.D. Brown, J. M. Given, R. V. Ford, J. N. Howell, W.O. Wooley, T.M. Alexandria, J.E. Mitchell, Delbert Hicks, L.E. Mansfield, Milford Young, A.D. Stewart, H.G. Solley, and the present principal, Sams Sullins.

We have lost 13 of our fellow classmates, but I feel sure that God in His infinite wisdom has in some spiritual ways let this reunion be felt in the hearts of all. Let us always be mindful of his great love and care which is beyond all comprehension. Those who are deceased are as follow:

Katherine Smith McCall, May 17, 1964
Nolton Tipton, March 17 1968
Robert James, Aug 24 1969
Clyde Popjoy, Jan. 28 1975
Cindy Esslinger, July 6 1978
Barkley Chandler, Jan 4, 1979
L. Clayton Ginn, Jan 3, 1981
Callie Mae Mellette, March 18, 1981
Vivian Mill, Dec 6, 1981
Julian McBroom, Feb. 19 1982
Emmet Vandiver
Frances Preston

The people who help me with this information were Mr. W.O. Woolley, Mrs. John Bartie, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hall, Mrs. Mercer Williamson, Mrs. Lela Mae Harless, Mrs. B.C. Adcox, Miss Ruby McKinny, Mrs. B.E. Graham, Mrs. Pat Malone, Mrs. Mildred Brawley, Janet Solmon, Jennifer Bevel, and Janice Traylor.

I hope you will enjoy this information that I have given you about the progress of our Alma Mater much as I have enjoyed collecting it.

Lillian W. Power

Do You Remember?

• Do you remember how many boys and girls graduated at Madison County High School on Friday night May 13, 1832? (18)
• Do you remember who was Valedictorian? (Ozelene Fowler Campbell)
• Do you remember who was class president? (Jim Will McKinny)
• Do you remember who was our Principal? (J.M. Givens)
• Do you remember that some were superstitious about our graduating on Friday 13th?
• Do you remember the title of our senior play? (The Raven)
• Do you remember who played the leading role in then play? (Callie Mae & Harold)
• Do you remember the class flower? (pink rose)
• Do you remember a skit we once did? (Sunbonnet Sally and Overall Jim)
• Do you remember our favorite dance? (Virginia Reel)
• Did you know that Clayton Ginn was once elected Lieutenant Gov. of New Mexico?
• Did you know that Jim Will was once elected mayor of Gurley?

Cheer up girls, Woman's lib was in affect long ago because the first principal of Robert Donnell Academy was a woman. (Believe it or not - It' s true!!!)

ALMA MATER
( Listen to the Alma Mater on YouTube ~ MCHS Centennial Banquet at the VBS )

In the county of Old Madison,
Framed against the sky.
Proudly Stands our Alma Matter,
Dear Old Gurley High.

When the time has come to leave you,
We asunder part.
But forever we'll be with you,
Memories in our heart.

Chorus:

Onward ever is our motto,
Conquer and prevail
We will love our Alma Mater,
Gurley High, All Hail!

1933 MCHS Senior Class shared by by Dwayne Renfroe

1933 Graduation picture shared by Dwayne Renfroe

See also the 1933 Football team