Toccoa in Stephens County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Tents
Life After the Fire
Following the Haddock Inn fire, the battle for the school's survival began. The immediate need was housing. God provided the perfect answer by bringing to Dr. Forrest's mind the idea of using tents. He contacted a tent company in Atlanta, Georgia, and purchased enough tents for students, faculty, and classrooms. With the kitchen and dining room set up in Miss Staley's home, the school was ready to continue.
Dr. Forrest explained, "The tents were far more durable and comfortable than most people imagine. A double floor was laid in every tent. Also, a wainscoting of lumber about four feet high was erected. A screen was built for the front, with a panel inserted in it for the winter months. A sheet iron stove was placed in each for burning wood during the colder months. Electricity was used for lighting all the tents."
During a meeting of The Christian and Missionary Alliance's general council, C&MA president Paul Radar was so moved by the stories of the school's survival that he wrote the familiar hymn "Only Believe." The chorus contains these words: "Only believe, only believe; all things are possible, only believe; only believe, only believe; all things are possible, only believe."
The tents were used for classrooms and living quarters for three years. "The students kept coming," said Dr. Forrest, "Why I do not know. Why they stayed, I couldn't tell anybody. We had the sweetest kind of time' nobody complained; everybody was happy."
This historical marker is placed in honor of the Centennial Celebration 1907-2007. Donated in loving memory of Alice (Larson, 1920) and Kelly (1923) Barnes by a grateful 1951 High School student.
Erected 2007 by Grateful 1951 High School student.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. 34° 35.6′ N, 83° 21.45′ W. Marker is in Toccoa, Georgia, in Stephens County. Marker is on Bandy Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Toccoa GA 30577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Administration Building (here, next to this marker); Woerner World Missions Center (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Stewart Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Dining Hall & Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); LeTourneau Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Forrest Hall - Ball Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul & Mary Williams Memorial Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Earl Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); G.I. Hill & The Steel Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toccoa.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.