Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Gilbert Elementary School
Photographed By sandra Hughes, February 16, 2010
1. Gilbert Elementary School Marker
Inscription.
Gilbert Elementary School. . Gilbert School, named in honor of Henry C. Gilbert, school superintendent 1892-1904 and long time member of Board of Education was built in 1920, costing $79,000. The structure was planned by George D. Waller, architect. A relief sculpture portraying a teacher with students, carved by James A. Stoves, was over the front entrance. Henry Grady Richards served as Principal from 1921 to 1964., The original building and 14 classrooms, library, cafeteria, auditorium, and supporting facilities. Later a three classroom annex and private dwelling made into three classrooms were added., Designed to serve North Florence, in March 1921 students from Fifth Ward school in Seven points and elementary students to Coffee High School formed the first student body which usually consisted of 500 to 700 students with eighteen teachers., Gilbert school was planned to serve grades one through six, but seven and eight were added in periods of overcrowding. The school was closed in May 1980 and students were transferred to Hibbett Middle School., The sixty-one year old building was destroyed by fire in 1981.
Gilbert School, named in honor of Henry C. Gilbert, school superintendent 1892-1904 and long time member of Board of Education was built in 1920, costing $79,000. The structure was planned by George D. Waller, architect. A relief sculpture portraying a teacher with students, carved by James A. Stoves, was over the front entrance. Henry Grady Richards served as Principal from 1921 to 1964.
The original building and 14 classrooms, library, cafeteria, auditorium, and supporting facilities. Later a three classroom annex and private dwelling made into three classrooms were added.
Designed to serve North Florence, in March 1921 students from Fifth Ward school in Seven points and elementary students to Coffee High School formed the first student body which usually consisted of 500 to 700 students with eighteen teachers.
Gilbert school was planned to serve grades one through six, but seven and eight were added in periods of overcrowding. The school was closed in May 1980 and students were transferred to Hibbett Middle School.
The sixty-one year old building was destroyed by fire in 1981.
Erected by Florence Historical Board Florence Alabama.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1921.
Location.
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34° 48.949′ N, 87° 41.077′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is on Gilbert Circle, on the right when traveling east. From Florence Blvd/US 72/US 43/ East Tennessee St take right onto (North) Wood Avenue past University of North Alabama staying on North Wood Avenue until you come to Gilbert Street. Take a left, Gilbert Street cross over Willingham Rd to W Gilbert Circle marker is on right side of road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,207 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photo1. submitted on March 4, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
