History of Panhandle School

History “Records are important to any people. Having taught at Panhandle High School for the past twenty-four years, I realize more than ever the worthwhile importance of records. I sincerely endorse the prodigious task of collecting and perpetuating data relevant to the teachers and students of Panhandle High School.”

- Mr. W.O. Waring

1950 Panther Yearbook

It is recorded that Panhandle was established in the late 1800’s, probably by former slaves. They brought their land from their former masters after the Civil War. Between 1888 and 1889 Panhandle was first organized in the old St. John Church about one half mile west of Douglassville on the old Atlanta/Douglassville highway. Professor Robert Johnson who lived in East Texas was one of the early teachers.

The old St. John Church burned about 1892. When the church was rebuilt, it was relocated in the Panhandle Community at its present site. The school was also relocated to the community and classes continued to be held in the church. In 1901, a one-room building was constructed next door to the church to be used as a school. In 1910, the one room building was torn down, a two-story building, which served as a combination school, and Lodge Hall was erected. Grades first through seventh were taught at the school. One teacher is remembered by the students was named Mary Kennedy Ford, but the students called her Miss Mary. After the students completed those grades, they had to go to Floyd Valley for grades eight through twelve. A bus came to Panhandle every day to pick up the students.

During the early part of the 1920s, Professor Waring was hired as the teacher of this one teacher school. He brought with him from the New School (Crossroads) his wife Minnie McGary who was also a teacher. Professor Waring would eventually be named Principal of the school. In 1931, the upstairs, which housed the Lodge Hall, was turned into a classroom and another teacher was added. The building was used until 1936. That year the old building was demolished, and a new four room building was built. At the same time, the New School, which was in the Crossroads community, was consolidated with the Panhandle School. The teacher, Florence Mitchell, was a welcome addition to the faculty. The next year Mr. Waring bought a 1937 Ford truck, which was converted to a school bus. He and M.D. Dickerson built a bed for the bus. The bus driven by Mr. Waring went to three communities to bring the students to Panhandle.

A community cannery was built on the Panhandle campus. One thing those working there canned was meat, chili was a specialty. Later the building was converted into a school for veterans. They received training in such areas as mechanics and welding, in addition to modern farming methods. The teacher was Henry Warren.

In 1938 the New Hope School and its teacher, Reverend P.H. Jenkins, consolidated with Panhandle. This brought the number of teachers to four. The first high school graduation was in 1939. The school remained intact until 1946. That year the principal, community people, and students added two more rooms to the existing building. Another teacher was hired that year bringing the number of faculty members to six. It would be another seven years before teacher number seven was added.

The 1950s ushered in a new and exciting time for the small rural school. Since the school population had increased significantly, there was a need for more teachers.This meant there was also a need for more classroom space. The School Board consented to give the principal materials for expanding the building, but the school itself had to raise $300 and furnish the labor for the renovation. The school expansion was done by the schoolboys and Mr. Waring. The addition of three rooms made it possible to add another teacher. In 1954, the school was again remodeled and for the first time there were new facilities which included indoor restrooms for boys and girls, a library, a bookroom and Principal’s Office.

Unfortunately, there was never to be a gymnasium or a cafeteria at the school.

There is an African Proverb that states, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” This is a concept that was internalized and exercised throughout the community, in the homes, schools, and churches. The students in the school always felt the presence of the community in their personal, academic, and social, and religious pursuits.

Because there was a community bond with the churches, a partnership between Panhandle and St. John Baptist Church developed. The students attended many church and school activities at the church. Every year students attended many church and school activities at the church. Every year students graduated from elementary and high school at the church.

The parents and community were supportive of the school. Panhandle had one of the most active PTA’s in the country. Because it was a small rural school, fund raising activities sponsored by the group was a yearround activity and well as labor of love. The proceeds were used to fund any need experienced by the school. They had bake sales, box suppers, Halloween Heaven, and Hell Parties, Easter wiener roasts, Easter egg hunts, and the culminating activity at the end of school with the school picnic. They also helped with transporting students to the planning and decorating sessions before the big dance. The countywide Junior and Senior Prom was always a huge success and many of them were there to see it because they served as chaperons. Christmas found them busy as any Santa’s elves preparing the sacks of fruit, nuts, and candy, which every child received. When Mrs. Mitchell put on her play productions, they spent countless hours making costumes, many from colorful crepe paper. Who can forget the homemade pastries, the corny dogs, the wonderful fried chicken and potato salad found in the box dinners, all done with love and compassion? When they saw a need for new playground equipment money raised by them was used to buy new swings, slides, and merry-go-round. The women had a basketball team, which competed against other PTA’s in the county. The comradeship between the parents, students, and school made the Panhandle a unique place.

Panhandle students were very competitive, so they prepared themselves to participate both mentally and physically. Mrs. Helen Ruth McGary, the county Supervisor for the Colored Schools, always stressed the importance of standardized tests to the students. She constantly urged them to excel and many did score at or above national norms. This quest for excellence carried over in other pursuits of course they excelled when they competed in the University Interscholastic League. Many students’ names can be found in the record books at Prairie View A&M University as state winners. Whether it was track and field or academic events, the students gave their best performances and made Panhandle a recognized school.In 1957, the boys’ basketball team won the State Championship under the leadership of Coach James Hall. On the local, district, and state level, the Panthers were a force to be reckoned with.

In the early 1960’s the onset of integration and a booming economy caused the county to take a harsh look at the small rural school. The Douglassville School District received a significant economic boost when Shell Oil Company opened a refinery in the district. In 1964, the School Board decided to build a new school for the Negro students. Three districts were consolidated and placed on this new campus: Douglassville, Cusseta, and Union Chapel. In 1965, Panhandle closed and the new school, Douglas High was opened. There was some controversy concerning the name and location, but times and circumstances dictated a change, and so it came to pass. Subsequently, the small rural school doors were closed, and Panhandle High School became a vivid memory in Douglassville and surroundings communities. A new page in the history book was to be written. Mr. W.O. Waring, his faculty and staff moved to the new community and for the first time, the students had a gymnasium and a cafeteria.In addition, for the first time the faculty and staff were integrated.

After three years at Douglas, on May 21, 1967, Mr. Waring retired from a career which spanned 42 years. Mr. B.C. Northcutt became the next person to serve as leader of the school. Unfortunately, his tenure at Douglas was not to be for an extended period. In the spring of 1970, Douglas closed its doors for the last semester. The following year the students were transported to the Atlanta School District.

Panhandle and Douglas share a proud tradition. The teachers taught more than the prescribed curriculum. Their goal was not only to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic but to also instill values in the students. Of equal importance is the commitment of the parents and community to the role of being a partner in the education of the students.

Whether they graduated or not, many of the students learned and now practice those values which make them productive citizens of the United States. They are known and respected as people who value hard work, independence, close family ties, and abiding faith in God. They are running the race, keeping the faith, and are enjoying the fruits of a job well done because they were “raised by the whole village.”