DeKalb County Schools survey 1916, Doraville and Tucker

I recently came across a book online titled “Educational Surveys of DeKalb and Union County Georgia,” dated 1916. It includes photos and short descriptions of all the DeKalb County Schools at the time. I was glad to discover the DeKalb History Center had a copy of the book and went to see it in their archives.

Today, I am sharing two photographs from the book. They are not high quality photographs, but I think it is still exciting to know what the schools looked like, even if it is a bit of a blurry view.

This Doraville School photograph is different than others I have seen of the early school, which feature many students lined up in front of the school .

Doraville School, 1916, as appears in the “DeKalb and Union Counties Educational Survey” book.

Doraville School’s 1916 survey describes it as a standard school, with Mr. H. D. Meriwether as Principal, Miss Essie Handcock and Miss Inez Stewart were the teachers. There was a two acres lot with a playground in good condition, gardens and a remodeled $2,500 building. There were three class rooms and cloak rooms. The building was well-lighted. There were blackboards and single patent desks. There were also maps, charts, pictures, a library of books. Clubs at the school included cooking, canning, corn, pig and poultry clubs.

Although two teachers are listed by name, the survey says there are three teachers at the school for 97 students in nine grades.

This Tucker School image from 1916 shows a school with two stories and a columned entrance. I also saw this image online identified as Tucker High School, but the 1916 survey describes a school with nine grades.

Tucker School in DeKalb County, 1916. From “DeKalb and Union Counties Educational Survey, 1916.”

Tucker is also described as a standard school. The Principal in 1916 was Mr. C. V. Brown. Three teachers names are identified as Miss Kathryn Roquemore, Miss Cloa Duke, and Miss Ila Mathews.

The school was located on a 3/4 acres lot, with clean grounds and playground and a small garden. The building value is estimated at $3,500.00. There are four class rooms and cloak rooms. Single patent desks are in each classroom, along with blackboards, pictures, maps, and books. The same type clubs as at Doraville School are at Tucker. There are a total of four teachers and 171 pupils.

There are of course, many more schools listed in this 1916 book. More images and photos will appear in future blog posts.