Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Appleby School, Florence, Alabama



On October 15, 2008, we had the pleasure of speaking with the great grandson of F. T. Appleby, for whom the Appleby School of Florence, Alabama, was named. The School was named to honor Appleby, who was superintendent from 1917 to 1932. The building is the original Coffee High School. Florence Junior High School, built in 1936 on the lot adjoining Coffee High, had housed all junior high classes until 1951 when the new high school was built on its present location. The old high school building was then converted into an elementary school. Upon completion of Richard School in 1961, all the elementary grades were moved to that school. Both the old high school building and the junior high school are now used as junior high schools. This building had several fires, and in the 1980's it was badly burned. It has been razed, and the University of North Alabama tennis courts now occupy the area.

Tommy Thompson completed a drawing of Appleby School during the 1980s prior to the razing of the school.To purchase one of the Appleby prints pictured above, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/alabama/florence-alabama-appleby/.

4 comments:

L. Tipper said...

Mr. Thompson;

Great painting of Appleby! I attended the school and lived in the neighborhood. Great memories of the school and neighborhood.

L. Tipper said...

Mr. Thompson;

Great painting of Appleby! I attended the school and lived in the neighborhood. Great memories of the school and neighborhood.

L. Tipper said...

Mr. Thompson;

Great painting of Appleby! I attended the school and lived in the neighborhood. Great memories of the school and neighborhood.

Tommy Thompson said...

Thanks for your kind comment. This was one of my first drawings of Village Prints.