Grant in Marshall County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Kate Duncan Smith - Daughters of the American Revolution School

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

1. Kate Duncan Smith - Daughters of the American Revolution School Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1924, the Alabama Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) established Kate Duncan Smith School to provide a patriotic education dedicated to academic achievement and service to "God, Home, and Country" for the people of Gunter Mountain. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) designated the school as a nationally recognized DAR school in 1928. Now a collaborative effort between the DAR, the Marshall County Board of Education, and the local citizens, it has remained a public school open to all of the children of the Gunter Mountain region.
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The present campus, consisting of approximately 240 acres, includes the remaining largely intact "old campus" that encompassed 100 acres as well as twelve buildings constructed between 1924 and 1957 and a 1937 water tower now used as a bell tower. Influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, school officials constructed the buildings, sidewalks, bleachers, and entrance columns from native materials including fieldstone, cut sandstone, and pine logs. Kate Duncan Smith - Daughters

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of the American Revolution School is one of only two schools in the United States supported by the NSDAR. 15 of the original 100 acres were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Erected by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 34° 32.072′ N, 86° 15.139′ W. Marker is in Grant, Alabama, in Marshall County. Marker is on Cathedral Caverns Highway north of 1st Street West, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located in front of the Pennsylvania Log Building (the old school administration building). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grant AL 35747, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pennsylvania Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Becker Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grant, Alabama: A Scenic Mountain Town (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cathedral Caverns (approx. 2.9 miles away); Whitaker Cemetery (approx. 4.4 miles away); Decatur County (approx. 5.1 miles away); Hayden Cemetery

Kate Duncan Smith - Daughters of the American Revolution School Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

2. Kate Duncan Smith - Daughters of the American Revolution School Marker Reverse

(approx. 7 miles away); Walnut Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grant.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

3. Kate Duncan Smith - Daughters of the American Revolution School Marker

Looking North along Cathedral Caverns Highway from the parking lot of the Pennsylvania Log Building.

Michigan Center - 1955 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

4. Michigan Center - 1955

Michigan Craft Center in honor of Kathryn Larkin Newland State Regent Michigan Society N.S.D.A.R. 1952 - 1955

Kate Duncan Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

5. Kate Duncan Smith

1844-1934 State Regent ASDAR 1897-1907 KDS DAR School established 1924 - Erected in 2007 KDS alumni & friends.

Nan Roberts Lane Chapel - Alabama Officers' Club 1957 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

6. Nan Roberts Lane Chapel - Alabama Officers' Club 1957

Munson Cottage - Connecticut - 1937 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

7. Munson Cottage - Connecticut - 1937

William J. Munson Memorial Cottage - Gift of Marion A. Munson 1936 - now the Elizabeth Jacobs Samsa Administration Building. The original structure was destroyed by fire June 20, 2005. The rock foundation, rock columns and two interior rock fireplaces were preserved. Building was reconstructed in 2006-07.

Becker Hall - All States - 1937 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

8. Becker Hall - All States - 1937

This building is listed on the NRHP and has a separate listing in the database - See Nearby Marker.

Pennsylvania Water/Bell Tower - 1937/1973 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

9. Pennsylvania Water/Bell Tower - 1937/1973

There are several descriptive markers on or around the water/bell tower describing the people/organizations responsible for its construction/renovation.

KDS DAR elementary school building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

10. KDS DAR elementary school building

Harriett K. Privett Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

11. Harriett K. Privett Library

KDS DAR campus image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, July 20, 2010

12. KDS DAR campus

The water/bell tower, elementary school and library buildings.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,272 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on July 20, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.