Grades 1 - 11
12th Grade added in 1945
Etowah School, 1928 - 2002, designed by architect Erle Stillwell. Present day Etowah Elementary preserves one of the arch entries.
A page from the book: Erle Stillwell - Buildings as History, pub. 2006
" In 1928, a great forward step was taken in the educational system of Etowah, when the Horse Shoe, Rhymer, Pleasant Grove, Big Willow and Boylston schools were consolidated with Etowah, and the present modern building was erected. Mr. Ralph W. Jones has served efficiently as principal since opening of the high school.
In 1928-1929, while the new building was under construction, the high school classes were taught in the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the teachers and there were only six graduates of the first class. The children of the grammar grades remained at the various elementary schools of the district until the opening of the 1929-1930 session."
as shown on the reverse side of a student's report card.
Etowah's enrollment is listed as 283 students with
an average attendance of 212. Promotions, 217.
- 1928 Etowah School opened, constructed of brick from Moland-Drysdale Corporation, aka "the Etowah Brickyard"
- 1929 Six graduates in first class: Carl Cantrell, Coy Greer, Mattie Hamilton, Willie B. Laughter, Ada Orr, and Miriam Weese
- 1940 Vocational Building built
- 1944 Last class to graduate 11th grade seniors
- 1945 12th graded added
- 1959 Cafeteria built
- 1960 Last class to graduate as high school
- 1960 High School students moved to West Henderson High
- 1973 Junior High students moved to Rugby Junior High School (now Rugby Middle)
- 2002 Original 1928 school demolished, new elementary school built behind original school
from Minutes of Henderson County Board of Education
- Aug 8, 1927 The Commissioners agreed to furnish funds for the following projects: Etowah $50,000; Dana $50,000; Bat Cave $15,000; Brickton Colored $2,500.
- Oct 3, 1927 Mr. [Earl] Stillwell presented the plans for the Etowah school building to the Board for their approval. The Board approved the plans and directed Mr. Stillwell to advertise for bids on same.
- Nov 14, 1927 The object of the meeting was to receive bids for the erection of a new consolidated school building at Etowah. The following bidgs were received and accepted:
Plumbing Contract - J. L. Powers, $4,545
Heating Contract - J. L. Powers, $6, 793
Wiring Contract - Hendersonville Electric Co., $1,345
Total: $70,453
- Dec 5, 1927 The Board received bids for the installation of a water system for the Etowah school.
- Mar 5, 1928 In the matter of an electric line for the Etowah school building, the Board agreed to accept the proposition of Mr. Picklesiemer of the Brevard Power Co. to build a line to the building and furnish a transformer for the amount of $500.
Photo from 1947 Etowah School annual, "The Chief." The smaller building on the far right is the Cannery, operated by the Etowah Grange. Behind the main building is the Vocation School. In the surrounding farm fields are corn shocks from the harvest.
Photo courtesy of Henderson County Education History Initiative
Photo courtesy of Henderson County Education History Initiative
Photo courtesy of Henderson County Education History Initiative
In 1957, Lions Club President Robert E. Greer wrote a letter to the Times-News explaining the need for a lunch room for Etowah School.
1959 Chief: "For several years we have needed a new cafeteria at Etowah. Finally, funds were made available for the building and construction was started in the spring of 1958. After watching and waiting, somewhat impatiently, we were served our first hot lunch on November 4, 1958."
More about the Etowah Lions Club
A photograph from the 1947 Chief - students having lunch in the Etowah Grange Cannery near the main school building. Pictured above, students having lunch at the Etowah Grange Cannery. L to R: Ellen Jean Fletcher, Bruce Hollingsworth, Euva Sentelle, Nell Allison, ? , Lena Bates, Sally Cantrell ?, Elizabeth Gossett, Marvin Orr, ? , Inez Johnson, ( ? ). Corrections, please contact the website.
Brick sign constructed by Harold Allison; Chief emblem painted by Gene Corn. This structure did not survive the 2002 demolition.
Care was taken to relocate one of the two arched concrete entrances to the new Etowah Elementary School. The other arched entrance was damaged in the tear down.
