Atlanta Public Schools long forgotten with names E-J will comprise the subject of this blog post. Though I have been researching forgotten APS schools for well over a four months now, I am still shocked and amazed by the sheer amount of schools I never knew existed. Starting with….
Written By: Kia Guest-Holloway
East Atlanta School (1909 – 1995 ):
The East Atlanta School was erected during a time where the neighborhood of East Atlanta began experiencing an explosion of growth. New subdivisions, public library, and fine stores began to emerge around 1913 and 1914 including the opening of the new school servicing the area. East Atlanta School officially opened its doors September 1, 1915, providing schooling for children up to the seventh grades. East Atlanta school was designed by architects Battle and Burrill, costing the city $15,000. By all accounts, it was considered to be state of the art compared the original APS schools of yesteryear. East Atlanta school would enjoy eight large classrooms, indoor plumbing, and toilets, as well as a steam heating system.
East Atlanta School’s completion came as soon as East Atlanta became annexed into the city Atlanta in 1909; prior to the annex into the city of Atlanta, East Atlanta was a part of Dekalb County. The new elementary school was the only school in East Atlanta during its infancy. However, according to my research, a newer building was erected in 1916 but the school was mentioned in the local papers as early as 1909; this creates a confusing narrative.
Toward the 1930’s, East Atlanta School would be renamed as John B. Gordon, a Civil War brigadier. The hue of the student body would ultimately change during the desegregation of APS schools and subsequently, the school fell into disrepair. It would finally close its doors in 1995 and remained empty for several years. Falling prey to arson, vandalism, and trespassing by curious on-lookers. As a native Atlantan who resided in East Atlanta, my family would often pass by the abandoned relic of a time once forgotten. John B. Gordon would remain abandoned until a devastating fire in 2014 gutted the building. The devastation led to the building being demolished and replaced by swanky apartment homes. Thankfully, the apartment building repurposed salvaged bricks and brilliantly used them in the design and construction of the new apartments that now occupy the space.
Edgewood Elementary School (1892 –
The Edgewood Avenue Elementary School manages to remain in operation 125 years after its initial opening. While it currently operates as housing for Inman Park residents (13 lofts), it is refreshing to see its splendid architecture preserved and enjoyed by over time by several generations of Atlantans.
Edgewood Elementary opened in 1892 just in time for the newly minted Inman Park. It narrowly escaped disaster after a nearby fire from a cottage nearly set the school ablaze in 1900.
More will be added soon…..
Sources:
- White, Susie. 1915. “EAST ATLANTA IS VERY PROUD OF NEW SCHOOL.” The Atlanta Constitution (1881-1945), Sep 26.
- “LETTERS FROM SCHOOL CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR SCHOOL.” The Atlanta Constitution (1881-1945), Nov 05, 1911.
- Acheson. “EDGEWOOD AVENUE SCHOOL AND ITS SUCCESSFUL WORK.” The Atlanta Constitution (1881-1945), Mar 03, 1897.
Atlanta's Past Revisted 
Please try to find a picture of Pryor Street Elementary School the school was located in Mechanicsville on Pryor Street and Downs Street. I would love to see a picture of it again.
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Greetings Melba, thank you for your comment. Depending on my sources for material, I will try my best to find a photo and post it.
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Pryor Street and Doan Street
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@KGuest……I have been searching high and low for photos of the former Jessie Mae Jones Elementary School, Capitol Ave., Atlanta, GA. 30315…would you do a feature on this school, or post any images you may be privy to…
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Hi Gregory, thank you for your message. Sure, I am always open to researching more APS schools. Especially, those who are truly forgotten both visually and in written format. I’ve never heard of Jeesie Mae Jones, which makes it even more interesting to research.
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thanks for your reply….JMJones was located next door to Carver High School, with an Atlanta Health Clinic in front of it….I believe they closed it down in the late 70’s-early 80’s, and it was attended by a lot of students mostly from the South Atlanta/Jonesboro Rd area…
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Perfect, that is actually pretty helpful in terms of locating the school. I’d have to do some extensive research, but you have definitely piqued my interest!
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I attended T.H. Slater Elementary School C’67 I remember Jessie Mae Jones school. Mrs Jones was the principal of David T Howard elementary school in 1939, Dr M. L. King, Jr. was a student there, do was my mother.
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Hi, I was wondering if you found anything about the Laura Haygood School in west midtown, west of Georgia Tech. Currently doing some research on Laura Haygood and aside from the building itself, which I’ve walked by a few times, I can’t seem to find anything else on the school.
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Hi Kyle, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I did not run across much information about Laura Haygood School, though the name does ring a bell. Perhaps this will be the topic of my next post? Thank you for sharing!
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I have been trying to find information on Wesley Avenue Elementary school, It was located in the Edgewood Community at 187 Wesley Avenue. I attended there from kindergarten thru 5th grade. Mrs. Sammye Coan ws principal. I cannot find any information or photos and I know it was built for African American children in the 1950s. Do you have information and photos?
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Greetings Delores! Thank you for stopping by. I haven’t heard of Wesley Avenue School, but I wouldn’t mind doing some research to see if I can locate information on this school.
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I live at the corner of Wesley Ave & Marona St in Edgewood currently. There was until 2019 an old Elementary school on the other other end of Wesley Ave . The building appeared to be in a serious state of disrepair and it was fenced off completely, but you could still read the name clearly on the front — “Ragsdale Elementary”. I believe I recall that it opened in the 50’s. It had obviously been abandoned for a number of years and it was razed in 2018/19. APS still owns the property and replaced the old chain link fence around the entire property with a taller new chain link fence after the building was razed and the site cleared. There has been no activity to my knowledge since.
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