Pulaski in Giles County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Pulaski Academy

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

1. Pulaski Academy Marker

Inscription.

Pulaski Academy. . The first school in Pulaski/Giles County was chartered by the State of Tennessee on November 23, 1809, just nine days after the passage of the legislation establishing the county. Chartered as the Pulaski Academy, the designated trustees were directed to select a site and erect a college building using monies collected from the sale of town lots. The trustees selected this site referred to as “East Hill” and erected a school building. In September of 18 12 the name was changed from Pulaski Academy to Wurtemburg Academy and served to prepare young men for college., In December of 1849 a college charter was obtained for Wurtemburg Academy from the State of Tennessee. The charter secured for the college the existing building, funds and grounds of Wurtemburg Academy. It was estimated that an additional $12,000.00 would be needed to erect the necessary building and procure a small library for the college. The money was raised and by the late 1850's Giles College, with a new building, was in operation., With the outbreak of the Civil War, Giles College ceased operation and the building was used as an army hospital, first by the Confederates and then by the Union Army. The building suffered a great deal of damage during this period and much of the building had to be rebuilt., Giles College reopened in 1868 and operated until 1886 when the Town of Pulaski purchased the property and opened the first free school in Giles County, known as Pulaski High School. A major annex was added to the building in 1915 and during the 1920's the first six grades were moved to the old Massey School building and the name was changed, this time to Central High School., For the next 75 years the Giles College building was utilized as a school building for various grades until 1961 when the City of Pulaski began using the structure as a recreation center. In 1964 the Giles College building was razed, making way for a new recreation center. . This historical marker was erected by City of Pulaski. It is in Pulaski in Giles County Tennessee

The first school in Pulaski/Giles County was chartered by the State of Tennessee on November 23, 1809, just nine days after the passage of the legislation establishing the county. Chartered as the Pulaski Academy, the designated trustees were directed to select a site and erect a college building using monies collected from the sale of town lots. The trustees selected this site referred to as “East Hill” and erected a school building. In September of 1812 the name was changed from Pulaski Academy to Wurtemburg Academy and served to prepare young men for college.

In December of 1849 a college charter was obtained for Wurtemburg Academy from the State of Tennessee. The charter secured for the college the existing building, funds and grounds of Wurtemburg Academy. It was estimated that an additional $12,000.00 would be needed to erect the necessary building and procure a small library for the college. The money was raised and by the late 1850's Giles College, with a new building, was in operation.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Giles College ceased operation and the building was used as an army hospital,

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first by the Confederates and then by the Union Army. The building suffered a great deal of damage during this period and much of the building had to be rebuilt.

Giles College reopened in 1868 and operated until 1886 when the Town of Pulaski purchased the property and opened the first free school in Giles County, known as Pulaski High School. A major annex was added to the building in 1915 and during the 1920's the first six grades were moved to the old Massey School building and the name was changed, this time to Central High School.

For the next 75 years the Giles College building was utilized as a school building for various grades until 1961 when the City of Pulaski began using the structure as a recreation center. In 1964 the Giles College building was razed, making way for a new recreation center.

Erected by City of Pulaski.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 23, 1809.

Location. 35° 11.692′ N, 87° 1.737′ W. Marker is in Pulaski, Tennessee, in Giles County. Marker can be reached from South Sam Davis Avenue south of East College Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located behind recreation center. Touch for map.

A closeup of a photo from the Pulaski Academy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

2. A closeup of a photo from the Pulaski Academy Marker

Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 East College Street, Pulaski TN 38478, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Native Americans in Giles County (a few steps from this marker); Establishment of Pulaski / Giles County (within shouting distance of this marker); Count Casimir Pulaski (1747-1779) (within shouting distance of this marker); Giles County Courthouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Nunahi-Duna-Dlo-Hily-I (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail of Tears (about 300 feet away); The Benge Route (about 400 feet away); The Trail of Tears Interpretive Center (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pulaski.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

3. A closeup of a photo from the Pulaski Academy Marker

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

4. Pulaski Academy Marker

The 1964 recreation center referenced in the marker is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 10, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.