| Columbus High School Class of 1977 |
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| History |
A high school had been organized and then closed in Columbus in the 1870’s.
Debate and work toward a public high school in the community was constant
throughout the 1880s.
1890 The High School opens with co-educational classes. Classes are held in the
existing Boys School at 10th Street and 2nd Avenue.
1891 Mr. Homer Wright is elected principal of the High School and serves until he
becomes Superintendent of Schools.
1891-1892 The High School moves into the Bussey Home. (Now Woodall School
site.)
June 1892 The first class graduates from Columbus High School. The class is
composed of sixteen girls and two boys. Graduation exercises are held at the
Springer Opera House.
1897-1898 A building is constructed to house the High School at 11th Street and 4th
Avenue.
Fall 1898 The High School at 11th Street and 4th Avenue opens for classes.
1900 Three alternative curriculums are adopted for students–college preparation,
classical and scientific.
1904-1907 Georgia high schools begin to be accredited by the University of
Georgia. Oral tradition maintains that CHS was “the first” or “one of the first” high
schools in Georgia to be accredited. This fact has not been verified. Research is
underway to verify the statement.
1913 The first COHISCAN, the CHS annual, was published. The name is derived
from the following: COlumbus HIgh SChool ANnual.
1919 Junior ROTC is added.
1921 Miss Edwina Wood, a member of the 1892 CHS graduating class, is appointed
to the School Board. Miss Wood is the first woman appointed to this board and
serves for twenty years.
1923 The “Blue Devil” nickname is first applied by Gen. John J. Pershing in reference
to spirited game play exhibited against Phillips High in Birmingham, Alabama.
Previous to this time several nicknames had been used for the CHS sports teams.
The “Orange Avalanche” is perhaps the best known.
May 31, 1924 A bond election is held to approve the purchase of land for and the
building of a new high school. The bond passes “overwhelmingly.”
1924-1925 Sixteen acres in Wildwood Park are selected as the site of the new high
school. The site is selected by popular vote. Starrett and Van Vlock of New York are
chosen as designing architects with Hickman and Martin as local architects.
Sept. 2, 1925 The cornerstone for the new building is set at 1700 Cherokee Avenue.
Sept. 16, 1926 The dedication exercises for the building at 1700 Cherokee Avenue
take place.
1934 Home Economics is added to the curriculum.
1943-1945 Miss Annie Massey, the first female CHS High School principal, leads the
school during the war years.
1962-1963 The building is expanded and additions are made.
June, 1977 The Class of 1977 graduates!
June 12, 1981 Fire ravages the original section of the building.
1981-1983 Construction and renovations to the building are undertaken. Air
conditioning is added at this time. Grades are split and classes held at two locations,
Rosemont School and Columbus Junior High School.
Aug. 27, 1983 Rededication ceremonies are held.
1990-1991 Centennial Celebration. Ceremonies are conducted including recognizing
AFLAC as our Partner In Education.
1991-1992 The first year of the Liberal Arts Magnet program; entering freshman
class included the first magnet students. The first section of the Alumni Wall is
completed.
1999-2000 The Commemorative Plaza is added to the school.
2000-2001 Renovations to the gym are undertaken and completed and in 2002 the
CHS Liberal Arts Magnet becomes a total magnet school.
2002-Present Continued growth in the quality and caliber of the student body, the
faculty and staff have lead to many awards in academic excellence throughout the
state and country.
Debate and work toward a public high school in the community was constant
throughout the 1880s.
1890 The High School opens with co-educational classes. Classes are held in the
existing Boys School at 10th Street and 2nd Avenue.
1891 Mr. Homer Wright is elected principal of the High School and serves until he
becomes Superintendent of Schools.
1891-1892 The High School moves into the Bussey Home. (Now Woodall School
site.)
June 1892 The first class graduates from Columbus High School. The class is
composed of sixteen girls and two boys. Graduation exercises are held at the
Springer Opera House.
1897-1898 A building is constructed to house the High School at 11th Street and 4th
Avenue.
Fall 1898 The High School at 11th Street and 4th Avenue opens for classes.
1900 Three alternative curriculums are adopted for students–college preparation,
classical and scientific.
1904-1907 Georgia high schools begin to be accredited by the University of
Georgia. Oral tradition maintains that CHS was “the first” or “one of the first” high
schools in Georgia to be accredited. This fact has not been verified. Research is
underway to verify the statement.
1913 The first COHISCAN, the CHS annual, was published. The name is derived
from the following: COlumbus HIgh SChool ANnual.
1919 Junior ROTC is added.
1921 Miss Edwina Wood, a member of the 1892 CHS graduating class, is appointed
to the School Board. Miss Wood is the first woman appointed to this board and
serves for twenty years.
1923 The “Blue Devil” nickname is first applied by Gen. John J. Pershing in reference
to spirited game play exhibited against Phillips High in Birmingham, Alabama.
Previous to this time several nicknames had been used for the CHS sports teams.
The “Orange Avalanche” is perhaps the best known.
May 31, 1924 A bond election is held to approve the purchase of land for and the
building of a new high school. The bond passes “overwhelmingly.”
1924-1925 Sixteen acres in Wildwood Park are selected as the site of the new high
school. The site is selected by popular vote. Starrett and Van Vlock of New York are
chosen as designing architects with Hickman and Martin as local architects.
Sept. 2, 1925 The cornerstone for the new building is set at 1700 Cherokee Avenue.
Sept. 16, 1926 The dedication exercises for the building at 1700 Cherokee Avenue
take place.
1934 Home Economics is added to the curriculum.
1943-1945 Miss Annie Massey, the first female CHS High School principal, leads the
school during the war years.
1962-1963 The building is expanded and additions are made.
June, 1977 The Class of 1977 graduates!
June 12, 1981 Fire ravages the original section of the building.
1981-1983 Construction and renovations to the building are undertaken. Air
conditioning is added at this time. Grades are split and classes held at two locations,
Rosemont School and Columbus Junior High School.
Aug. 27, 1983 Rededication ceremonies are held.
1990-1991 Centennial Celebration. Ceremonies are conducted including recognizing
AFLAC as our Partner In Education.
1991-1992 The first year of the Liberal Arts Magnet program; entering freshman
class included the first magnet students. The first section of the Alumni Wall is
completed.
1999-2000 The Commemorative Plaza is added to the school.
2000-2001 Renovations to the gym are undertaken and completed and in 2002 the
CHS Liberal Arts Magnet becomes a total magnet school.
2002-Present Continued growth in the quality and caliber of the student body, the
faculty and staff have lead to many awards in academic excellence throughout the
state and country.