Arab in Marshall County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
First Arab High School / First Arab Auditorium
Photographed By Judith Barber, February 6, 2011
1. First Arab High School Marker
Inscription.
First Arab High School, also, First Arab Auditorium. .
First Arab High School. In the early 1900s, students from Arab enrolled at Albertville High School because Arab didn’t have a high school. One group, called the “Brindlee Mountain Boys”, would travel to Guntersville by buggy and then by train to Albertville to attend school. Since the journey to and from school was so difficult, they were often away from home for months. Because so many more students yearned for an education, residents decided to build a high school in Arab. Many of them mortgaged their farms to raise money. The townspeople made a cooperative and sacrificial effort, laboring long hours cutting logs and hauling them to saw mills and planers to complete the inside. The exterior of the building was constructed with bricks made on site at a kiln that was operated by parents 24 hours a day. Students staged plays and talent shows to help pay any remaining debt. The land was originality owned by town founder Stephen Tuttle Thompson and donated by his descendants. ,
First Arab Auditorium. In 1936, the auditorium adjacent to the high school was constructed with funding from the federal government. Both facilities were used until the new high school was built in 1949. Over the years, both buildings have been used for various businesses. The high school building still has its original hardwood flooring. Since the first step of progress to build a high school, the same cooperative spirit has filled the hearts of the entire community and the march toward educational excellence continues today.
First Arab High School
In the early 1900s, students from Arab enrolled at Albertville High School because Arab didn’t have a high school. One group, called the “Brindlee Mountain Boys”, would travel to Guntersville by buggy and then by train to Albertville to attend school. Since the journey to and from school was so difficult, they were often away from home for months. Because so many more students yearned for an education, residents decided to build a high school in Arab. Many of them mortgaged their farms to raise money. The townspeople made a cooperative and sacrificial effort, laboring long hours cutting logs and hauling them to saw mills and planers to complete the inside. The exterior of the building was constructed with bricks made on site at a kiln that was operated by parents 24 hours a day. Students staged plays and talent shows to help pay any remaining debt. The land was originality owned by town founder Stephen Tuttle Thompson and donated by his descendants.
First Arab Auditorium
In 1936, the auditorium adjacent to the high school was constructed with funding from the federal government. Both facilities were used until the new high school was built in 1949. Over the years, both buildings have been used for various businesses. The high school building still
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has its original hardwood flooring. Since the first step of progress to build a high school, the same cooperative spirit has filled the hearts of the entire community and the march toward educational excellence continues today.
Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Arab.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 34° 19.251′ N, 86° 29.791′ W. Marker is in Arab, Alabama, in Marshall County. Marker is at the intersection of 4th Avenue NW and 1st Street NW, on the left when traveling west on 4th Avenue NW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 323 1st St NW, Arab AL 35016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2011, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,166 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2011, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Add photo of reverse side of marker entitled "First Arab Auditorium". • Can you help?
