Semmes First School
To enable the Alabama Territory to become a state, the Enabling Act was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America on March 2, 1819. In section six, the act
Semmes First School
To enable the Alabama Territory to become a state, the Enabling Act was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America on March 2, 1819. In section six, the act required in every township, the sixteenth section of land to be set aside for educational purposes. Semmes first school, a log cabin, was built in 1887 on the townships sixteenth section of land. The school served as the meeting place for church and other community activities, as was the custom in Alabama in this period of time. The school moved several times as the population shifted.
The center of town shifted from Moffett Road, (AL42) (US98) to near the Railroad. Thomas Jefferson Howell saw the need for the school to be closer to the center of town and gave one half acre to build a new school and one half acre to build a church. In the deed (Mobile County Probate DB102 Pg. 019 filed 11/19/1902), he stipulated that a school always remain on the property or the property would revert back to the Howell Family. Timber had become big business and there were saw mills making it possible to use sawed lumber instead of logs to build the school, church and homes.
In the Minute Book, Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County, Sept 7, 1898-November 7, 1904
“County School Committee recommended the erection of a new school house at Semmes, Alabama at a cost not exceeding $350. (Plan#3) so much thereof as may be needed to be used. The reports were adopted, carrying the appropriation for the Semmes School. “Page 135 July 9, 1902”
The Teacher at Semmes, C. Pitard received $35.00 per month. June 22, 1903
The Committee Recommend an appropriation of $35.00 for a well and well house at Semmes School, Superintendent to have the same provided. Oct. 14, 1903
Minutes, Board of School Commissioners of Mobile Count 1902-1909 p.3
Recommend addition to Semmes School of 10 feet, Supt. to invite bids when attendance shall call for such. Page 3, 1904
Recommend that the bid of C.F. McCreary to erect the addition to Semmes School in the sum of one hundred ten dollars to be accepted. December, 1902
Minutes Book, Board of School Commission of Mobile County, Sept. 9. 1909- 9/10/13
County School Committee recommends that the following schools be painted…..Semmes…..Page 155, June 14, 1911.
Minute Book, Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County, Nov. 9, 1904-August 1909
Recommended for election ---Eva Belle Jones-Semmes, 1906 page 54 Alice Pearson-Semmes, July 1908, page 143
In 1917 the 1902 school was moved across the road to sit besides the newly constructed stucco building. Other buildings were moved to sit by the new stucco building. The old Semmes Post Office and Allentown School were moved to this location. Semmes School, Powelltown, Allentown and Crawford (Morris Hill) Community Schools were consolidated into Semmes School. This was the beginning of Semmes becoming a regional School. In the 50’s Tanner Williams, Wilmer and Forest Hill elementary became a part of Semmes High School. The three major high schools in Mobile Co. at this time were Murphy, Vigor, and Semmes.
Semmes is the regional center for education is west Mobile County.
Preserving Semmes Educational History
The Story Behind Semmes Heritage Park
In January 1994 Robin Wulff was at the school board office and overheard that the one room Semmes school was going to be renovated or torn down. She immediately alerted Elizabeth Dodd. Mrs. Dodd called Julane Greenlee and Rita Durant and together they went to see Mrs. Katherine Montgomery, the principal of Semmes School to present the idea of preserving the one room school. Mrs. Montgomery was very receptive, and encouraging.
Theodore had recently restored an early school, so Julane and Mrs. Dodd made an appointment with Carolyn Dumas and Kathy Nelson, who had led the restoration at Theodore school. They gave us a tour, copies of their corporation history and grant applications.
Marion Howell and Mrs. Dodd went to the Courthouse to research the original deed and found the deed in Book 102, Page 179 and obtained a copy of the deed. The deed revealed that In 1902 Thomas Jefferson Howell donated to the Mobile Co. Public School Board one-half acre of land to build a new school and one half acre to build a new church to sit beside the school.
Bobby Nelson, who was in charge of new school board construction, Mark McDonald, Director of the Mobile Historic Development Commission were contacted and asked to inspect the school to see if it might be restored. “We were assured our little treasur