Schools in the early 1900s were completely different than the ones that we have today. Many things that are taken for granted today such as the free school lunches, public school buses and textbooks were not provided to children in the early 1900s. The free school lunch program didn’t start until 1946, and during the Great Depression many kids walked to school hungry every day because their parents couldn’t afford to feed them. Also, the buildings were varied and vastly different from the school buildings today. Some of the schools were multi-room mansions while others were a tiny one-room shack. Check out these 11 amazing photos of Georgia schools in the early 1900s.
- School in Irwinville, Georgia - September 1935
Arthur Rothstein via Library of Congress/LC-USF34-T01-000476 This school looks like more of a mansion than a school building.
- School principal and children atIrwinville School, Georgia - May 1938
John Vachon via Library of Congress/LC-USF33-T01-001180 It’s definitely interesting to see what the children looked like in the 1930s.
- Children at flag raising. Irwinville School, Georgia
John Vachon via Library of Congress/LC-USF33-T01-001180 Again, more children outside the Irwinville School. Notice how many of them are not wearing shoes. As mentioned by another Only In Georgia reader, back in those days, shoes were optional!
- Dalton High School, 1930s-1940s.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia A picture of Dalton High School, which was located on Thornton Avenue.
Bluffton High School - Bluffton, ca. 1930s.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia This building was occupied in 1931-1935. In 1955 this school was consolidated with Fort Gaines High School. The building has since been torn down.
First High School Built in Albany - 1908
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia The first high school built in Albany in 1908 was located at the corner of Society and Monroe Street. It has since been demolished.
- Furlow Grammar School - Americus, ca. 1912.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia A grammar or elementary school in Americus, GA.
- Americus, 1923. Members of the Third District Agricultural and Mechanical School basketball team pose for a photograph.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia Here is an “old-school” collegiate athletics photo. Notice how there are only five players versus the many players we now have on our collegiate basketball teams. Also, their uniforms are very different. This school is now called Georgia Southwestern State University.
- Arlington High School, eighth grade - Arlington, 1930.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia Very interesting photo of an 8th grade class at Arlington High School. Also, 8th grade was considered to be part of the high school versus being part of the middle school.
- Lavendar School in the Armuchee School District located north of Rome - Armuchee-Little Texas Valley area, ca. early 1900s.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia An itty bitty school in a town north of Rome, GA. Definitely a lot different than the schools found near Rome, GA today!
- Elks Home, also known as the Athenian Club, which was used as the Law School - Athens, 1911
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia It was located at the corner of Broad and Lumpkin street, where a parking deck now stands. Definitely one of the most unique law schools I’ve ever seen!
What do you think about these pictures? Did you go to school in the 1930s? Do you have family members that did? If you have any stories to tell about this era, please share in the comments below.
Arthur Rothstein via Library of Congress/LC-USF34-T01-000476
This school looks like more of a mansion than a school building.
John Vachon via Library of Congress/LC-USF33-T01-001180
It’s definitely interesting to see what the children looked like in the 1930s.
Again, more children outside the Irwinville School. Notice how many of them are not wearing shoes. As mentioned by another Only In Georgia reader, back in those days, shoes were optional!
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia
A picture of Dalton High School, which was located on Thornton Avenue.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia
This building was occupied in 1931-1935. In 1955 this school was consolidated with Fort Gaines High School. The building has since been torn down.
The first high school built in Albany in 1908 was located at the corner of Society and Monroe Street. It has since been demolished.
A grammar or elementary school in Americus, GA.
Here is an “old-school” collegiate athletics photo. Notice how there are only five players versus the many players we now have on our collegiate basketball teams. Also, their uniforms are very different. This school is now called Georgia Southwestern State University.
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia
Very interesting photo of an 8th grade class at Arlington High School. Also, 8th grade was considered to be part of the high school versus being part of the middle school.
An itty bitty school in a town north of Rome, GA. Definitely a lot different than the schools found near Rome, GA today!
It was located at the corner of Broad and Lumpkin street, where a parking deck now stands. Definitely one of the most unique law schools I’ve ever seen!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
