Commissioner Greg Beck
In August of 2015, we celebrated 150 years of Howard School and reflected back for a moment and asked history to tell us about this great institution.
In 1865, when Chattanooga and the rest of the nation began reconstruction, Howard School was birthed. The school was named after the Civil War General Oliver O. Howard. Although he suffered two defeats at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, he became a successful military leader on the western front.
General Howard led with religious piety and was appointed head of the Freedmen’s Bureau. His task was the integration of the freed slaves into Southern society. It was fitting that the new school, Chattanooga’s first public school, would be named in his honor.
The Bureau and General Howard had the task of bringing Chattanooga into the “new integrated country” with the use of education and public policy.
Classes were originally held in an old building, which had served as a Civil War hospital. The school was located on Chestnut Street, according to an essay written by Ella B. Harris, an 1888 graduate of Howard School. The school at that time was called Howard Free School. History also records that until 1881, the students in black schools were taught by Caucasian instructors. This prompted the question, “What to do about Howard?” Therefore, Chattanooga decided to conduct an “experiment” that would allow black teachers to teach the black students. By 1883, the school had moved from the Chestnut location to a larger location at East Eighth and Douglas. In 1886, Bell Washington became the first black to graduate from a public school in Chattanooga. She went on to teach for 35 years in the Chattanooga school system.
After the turn of the century, Howard continued to make great strides in educating the students of Chattanooga’s black population. And again arose the question, “What to do about Howard?” The school moved twice in the early part of the century - in 1904 to East Eleventh Street and in 1921 to Carter and West 10th Street, which testified to the growth of the school. In 1913, the Chattanooga Public Library started a branch in Howard School, which opened the literary world up to this segregated population. By 1933, Howard was the first black school to receive “approval status” from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1954, the school moved to its current location at 2500 South Market St.
By the end of the 1950s, several American cities had experienced non-violent civil rights protests, resulting in legal and political backlash of varying intensity. Although Chattanooga had a long history of civil rights activism, the mid-20th century movement had not yet touched the daily life of the city. On the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 19, 1960, however, 30 local black high school students walked into three downtown Chattanooga variety stores and quietly took seats at their traditionally segregated lunch counters. Many of those involved in the demonstration were seniors in the Howard High School Class of 1960. Howard School had begun to play a role in the politics and the policies of the city. In 2008, the History Makers Award was presented to spotlights those courageous individuals of Howard Class of 1960.
Once more the question surfaced, “What to do about Howard?” In 1966, an old gentleman came to challenge our lives and encouraged the Class of 1966 at graduation with the words of Alexander the conqueror, “I came, I saw, I conquered!” Those words didn’t mean that much to me at the time because I had other personal concerns on my mind. I don’t remember who the speaker was and I’m sure he is no longer with us, but his words still resonate in my soul, “I came, I saw, I conquered!”
Where did we, the students come from?
We were gathered there at Howard School with a student population of over 3,000 strong from all ends of the community, some urban and some middle class with a certain pride in the new school; and a demonstration of that pride through excellence in industrial arts, excellence in sports, excellence in academics, and excellence in conduct because of our respect for our teachers. We were products of a generation with expanded opportunities through the Civil Rights Act and our teachers gave us the very best of their skills of instructions. They went above and beyond their mandates and became surrogate parents and personal mentors for those of us who came from single parent homes with no progressive role models to mimic. We were encouraged by teachers who served as strong examples for a new breed of students going out into a strange free work world.
What did we, the students see?
We found that this new world was not to be without an intense level of struggle that would have destroyed even the best of any other ethnic group with the same challenges. To name a few, we faced a struggle for peace and happiness, physical well-being, self-actualization, and even trying to become one with God.
What did we, the students conquer?
We learned how to get a job and keep a job. We discovered ourselves and came to realize who we are and why we are, and how we fit into this grand scheme of life. Most of us have successfully given up on vices that give a false sense of happiness. More than these, a lot of us have even learned that God is not some benevolent Santa Clause in the sky - He is a Spirit and we are to worship Him in our spirit and in according to the truth.
Reasons why Alumni still love Howard?
In addition to God’s Spirit, there is another spirit dwelling within us; it is the spirit of Howard School. It represents the fun memories we have of those former days of walking the halls of Howard. It is the stimulus for the chills in our bodies every time we hear the Howard School Song. It reminds us of the academic achievements that were obtained. It is the firmness in our souls that makes us stand tall like a fixed pole holding a flag waving Howard, Howard, Howard.
Still battling years of Struggle, Academics, Progress and Continuity.
In 2003, again the question arose, “What to do about Howard?” Some yelled, “Tear it down.” Others cried, “Renovate it.” Facing an overflow delegation from Howard High School, the County Commission voted 5-3 for a $17.5 million renovation of the school located in South Chattanooga.
Voting in favor were Commissioners William Cotton, Rep. JoAnne Favors, Larry Henry, Richard Casavant, and Charlotte Vandergriff. Dozens of Howard students marched to the meeting at the County Courthouse. Distinguished Howard alumni; Irvin Overton, Napoleon "Doughnut" Williams, and City Council members - Leamon Pierce and Yusuf Hakeem -were present to lend their support for Howard School. Mr. Overton said improvements at the school had been promised for years. He said, "We’re kind of tired of waiting. We're sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Approved was the bid of Construction and Improvement Specialty Company of just over $14 million. Mr. Gary Waters said the project would include a new gym and new kitchen as well as complete renovation of the existing school, including all new plumbing, electrical, and heating and air.
In 2010, the question came up again, “What to do about Howard?” During the summer, the state of Tennessee put Howard School of Academics and Technology on notice, “Raise grades and graduation rates or we will take you over.” In 2011, Howard had the reputation of being one of the worst schools in the Hamilton County School District. The numbers showed that it was one of the 13 worst schools in Tennessee.
But every time the state threatens Howard, we assemble ourselves, stand proud, and come forth like thunder and lightning - led by JoAnne Favors and that rowdy bunch of sit downers from the sixties to let our voices be heard.
The school also acquired a new administrator and rose again from the flames of impending demise.
These are changing times and we don’t know, 1) whether or not if Howard School will survive the next onslaught of rezoning and/or immigration, and 2) when that ageless question rises again of what to do about her.
Nonetheless, we do know that as long one alumnus is left, she will live on.
As long as one voice can sing the Howard School song, she will survive. Then when we are gone and our voice is heard no more; those that we have touched and left in this world who have a deep affirming tie to Howard will come forth like an Iron Tiger and carry on the legacy that our fathers created out of nothing.
God bless you and the legacy of Howard High.
County Commissioner Greg Beck
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I was to thank Commissioner Beck for providing such a well-written piece on Howard High School.
His knowledge of the history of Howard is impressive but no more so than his ability to write in a way that holds the attention of the reader to the very end.
Steve Campbell
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The Chattanooga High School Alumni Association congratulates our friends at Howard on the 151 years the school has served the community as the oldest high school in the county. Nine years after Howard was created, CHS came into being and for the past 132 years along with our successor school the Center for Creative Arts, has served the people of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Thanks to Commissioner Greg Beck for keeping alive the memory of the Howard Tigers and the many community leaders who attended the school. Go Tigers.
Douglas Jones