Historical Society

Jones High School Historical Society
Established in 1997

A Short History of Jones High School

Believed to have been established in 1895, the school now known as Jones High School was first an old frame building on the southwest corner of Garland Avenue and Church Street. Later it was moved to the corner of Jefferson and Chatham Streets and was named Johnson Academy in honor of Lymus Johnson, the principal.

In 1912, L.C. Jones became principal of Johnson Academy. Under his leadership, a new school was built in 1921 on the corner of Washington Street and Parramore Avenue. Because his family donated the land for the school, the school was renamed Jones High School. The students of grades six through ten were moved in. Near the latter part of Jones’ administration, the remaining grades were moved from Johnson Academy to Jones High School, and the school term was lengthened from five to nine months.

By 1929, grades one through twelve were in operation. In 1931, Jones High School had its first graduation of students completing the twelfth grade. At the end of this term, Mr. Jones was transferred to Oakland, Florida, and A.J. Polk was named principal. C.W. Banks replaced Polk in 1935. Principals succeeding Mr. Banks were the following:

Cecil W. Boston 1954 – 1964

Claudius J. Manigault 1964 – 1968

Wilbur S. Gary 1968 – 1975

Henry C. Wright 1975 – 1981

Clara S. Walters 1981 – 1990

Victoria Johnson 1990 – 1991

Eddie Sneed 1991 – 1999

Andrew Jenkins 1999 – 2003

Lorenzo Phillips 2003 – 2006

Bridget Williams 2006 – 2010

Valeria Maxwell 2010 – 2015

Roderick Waldon 2015 – 2017

Allison J. Kirby 2017 - Present

In 1952, Jones High School moved to its current home on Rio Grande Avenue. Today, in addition to the regular classrooms, auditorium and gymnasium, the facilities include a new music suite and a new computer laboratory.

Jones High School also has an on-site museum inside the Media Center building where students, faculty, visitors, and community members can learn about the rich pride and tradition.

Purpose

The Jones High School Historical Society is an organization founded to provide a permanent site for memorabilia, books, articles, musical works and art by, for and about Jones High School students and graduates. Membership in the organization is open to all graduates and students of Jones High School, friends, businesses and corporations, current and former Jones High School faculty, and anyone else interested in preserving Jones High School’s legacy

Memberships Available:

General Membership:$20.00 per year

Executive Membership:$120.00 per year
Join today by filling out a membership form here!

Programs

The Historical Society maintains a gallery of works by Jones High School alumni. The gallery serves as an incentive to students and graduates of Jones High School. In addition to the exhibition of works, the Historical Society maintains a tutorial center to assist current students who need help in academics. The organization has also established a scholarship fund to help students who have the ability and the desire to go to college but lack the means to do so.

Founders

Leroy Argrett

Samuel Lumpkin

Audrey H. Reicherts

Earline Tillman

James W. Wilson


2018 historical foundation hnonorees
2018 Jones High School Legacy Honorees

Walter Hawkins, Principal Kirby, Barbara Burns, and Gloria Watson with honorees Rev. Robert Spooney, Margaret Hester, Elouise Reddick, and Victor Allen.

Photo credit: Above All Dreams Photography

JHS historical society visit from the class of 1967

class of 1967 visits historical society

The Jones High School Historical Society was founded to provide a permanent site for memorabilia, books, articles, musical works and art by, for, and about Jones High School’s students and graduates. Membership in the organization is open to all graduates and students of Jones High School, friends, businesses and corporations, current and former Jones High School faculty, and anyone else interested in preserving Jones High School’s legacy.

The Historical Society maintains a gallery of works by Jones High School graduates. Eventually, the gallery will house a library, an art room, a music room, a drama room, and a sports room. The gallery serves as an incentive to students and graduates of Jones High School.

Jones High School Historical Society Brochure