Tellico Plains in Monroe County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Tellico Tales: School House Hill

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

1. Tellico Tales: School House Hill Marker

Inscription.

Tellico Tales: School House Hill. . , Over the years, Tellico Plains High School has become a significant part of our small town. In 1911 $2,000.00 was approved by the county court for construction of a new school: one that would include grades 9-12. This school would be built on land generously donated to the county by Mr. C.A. Scott. Many students walked to school, but some could not. Attendees that lived out of walking distance had the opportunity to board in on campus dormitories. The first TPHS Boys’ Basketball Team was established in 1913 with a basketball from a Sears and Roebuck catalog. A gymnasium was built in 1916, until then, all sports were played on the outside dirt floors. In July of 1928, the town transferred all of their school property to the county school board. Ten years later (1938), the first-generation building would be demolished, leaving the town without a school. Many vacant areas were used to hold different grade levels, some classes were held in churches while others congregated in businesses and city offices. A new building was constructed in 1938-39, to the fine tune of $168,000.00. The grand opening of this building was held in the, “C.A. Scott auditorium”. Mr. Scott was a driving force behind opening this new school building. In 1966 the high school transferred to the location of the current Tellico Plains Junior High. This building was constructed with state-of-the-art equipment. One year later, lights would be added to the football field. However, the building constructed in fall of 1938 was changed to the Tellico Plains Elementary / Junior High (K-8). This building would face a horrific fire in 2005 and all remains of the building would be burned. In 1996 Tellico Plains High School found a new home: 9180 TN-68. This location provided a football field, a baseball field, a softball field, a weight room, and an alumni center. A barn and field have been added beside the building for the agricultural department. With that there is a functioning green house and a vocational shop room. The building is still standing today with no plans of coming down anytime soon., Project Leader: Hannah Morris – Project Assistants: Merritt Sherrer and Isabella Wilson – Project Advisor: Sheann Graham – Constructor: Thomas Graham – Constructor Assistant: Kolton Stakely., Sponsored by: Tellico Plains High School

Over the years, Tellico Plains High School has become a significant part of our small town. In 1911 $2,000.00 was approved by the county court for construction of a new school: one that would include grades 9-12. This school would be built on land generously donated to the county by Mr. C.A. Scott. Many students walked to school, but some could not. Attendees that lived out of walking distance had the opportunity to board in on campus dormitories. The first TPHS Boys’ Basketball Team was established in 1913 with a basketball from a Sears and Roebuck catalog. A gymnasium was built in 1916, until then, all sports were played on the outside dirt floors. In July of 1928, the town transferred all of their school property to the county school board. Ten years later (1938), the first-generation building would be demolished, leaving the town without a school. Many vacant areas were used to hold different grade levels, some classes were held in churches while others congregated in businesses and city offices. A new building was constructed in 1938-39, to the fine tune of $168,000.00. The grand opening of this building was held

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in the, “C.A. Scott auditorium”. Mr. Scott was a driving force behind opening this new school building. In 1966 the high school transferred to the location of the current Tellico Plains Junior High. This building was constructed with state-of-the-art equipment. One year later, lights would be added to the football field. However, the building constructed in fall of 1938 was changed to the Tellico Plains Elementary / Junior High (K-8). This building would face a horrific fire in 2005 and all remains of the building would be burned. In 1996 Tellico Plains High School found a new home: 9180 TN-68. This location provided a football field, a baseball field, a softball field, a weight room, and an alumni center. A barn and field have been added beside the building for the agricultural department. With that there is a functioning green house and a vocational shop room. The building is still standing today with no plans of coming down anytime soon.

Project Leader: Hannah Morris – Project Assistants: Merritt Sherrer & Isabella Wilson – Project Advisor: Sheann Graham – Constructor: Thomas Graham – Constructor Assistant: Kolton Stakely.

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Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

2. Tellico Tales: School House Hill Marker

Marker is in the foreground.

by: Tellico Plains High School

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1928.

Location. 35° 21.737′ N, 84° 17.656′ W. Marker is in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Southard Street and Peach Street, on the right when traveling south on Southard Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tellico Plains TN 37385, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tellico Tales: Former City Hall (here, next to this marker); Tellico Tales: Veterans Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Monument of Monroe County (within shouting distance of this marker); Tellico Tales: Memorial Drive (within shouting distance of this marker); Tellico Tales: Scott Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Tellico Tales: Sweet Shop (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tellico Tales: The Old Hotel (about 700 feet away); Unicoi Turnpike Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tellico Plains.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Tellico Tales

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.