This school building was constructed in 1927-1928 by local contractor Ashland Spinks. The newly completed $50,000 building opened for white students on Monday, January 8, 1929. The following year, the wood frame elementary school burned down, so grade school classes were also held here. The Thomasville schools became integrated in the late 1960s. In 1971, Grades 7 through 12 relocated to a new high school building, while this school building continued to serve the elementary grades. Because of deterioration, the school was closed in 1991. The campus became the property of the city of Thomasville. Since then, the building has been renovated and it now serves as the Thomasville Civic Center. The Thomasville Civic Center serves as a primary entertainment, social, and cultural hub, featuring a 500-seat theater (the Bedsole Theatre), a gallery, and meeting spaces. It is used for hosting conventions, performance ensembles, traveling exhibits, and local community events.
The former Thomasville High School building is a contributing property to the Thomasville Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It sits on the crest of a hill overlooking W. Front Street in Thomasville (Google Maps – 31.919231, -87.735763).
Source: NRHP “Thomasville Historic District” Registration Form.
Photographs courtesy of RuralSWAlabama.