Westfield High School: Difference between revisions
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The school was founded by [[Phillip Warren]] at the instigation of [[Miles College]] to serve students in the [[Westfield]] and [[Fairfield]] communities. | The school was founded by [[Phillip Warren]] at the instigation of [[Miles College]] to serve students in the [[Westfield]] and [[Fairfield]] communities. | ||
The school first held classes in the auditorium of [[Westfield #1 Elementary School]] on Miles' campus. Warren served as principal with [[Louise Moses]], [[Eugene Jackson]] and [[A. J. McClung]] as faculty. Soon a building for the school was completed on [[ | The school first held classes in the auditorium of [[Westfield #1 Elementary School]] on Miles' campus. Warren served as principal with [[Louise Moses]], [[Eugene Jackson]] and [[A. J. McClung]] as faculty. Soon a building for the school was completed on [[Tin Mill Road]] and the faculty was expanded with shop, home economics, social studies, beautician, music and athletic training. In [[1961]] Westfield became the first Alabama high school to offer Russian language studies, taught by [[Loretta Jones]]. | ||
In [[1963]] a large portion of the Westfield community was demolished for expansion of [[U. S. Steel]]'s [[Fairfield Works]]. | In [[1963]] a large portion of the Westfield community was demolished for expansion of [[U. S. Steel]]'s [[Fairfield Works]]. | ||
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==Notable alumni== | ==Notable alumni== | ||
* [[Richard Arrington | * [[Richard Arrington Jr]] (transferred to [[Fairfield Industrial High School]]) | ||
* [[U. W. Clemon]], federal judge | * [[U. W. Clemon]], federal judge | ||
* [[Sam Frazier | * [[Linda Coleman-Madison]], Alabama state senator | ||
* [[Sam Frazier Jr]], blues musician | |||
* [[Willie Mays]] (left at age 16 to become a professional baseball player) | * [[Willie Mays]] (left at age 16 to become a professional baseball player) | ||
* [[Carlton Reese]], choir director | * [[Carlton Reese]], choir director | ||
Latest revision as of 09:47, 29 June 2018
Westfield High School was a public high school for African Americans located in Fairfield from 1934 to 1971.
The school was founded by Phillip Warren at the instigation of Miles College to serve students in the Westfield and Fairfield communities.
The school first held classes in the auditorium of Westfield #1 Elementary School on Miles' campus. Warren served as principal with Louise Moses, Eugene Jackson and A. J. McClung as faculty. Soon a building for the school was completed on Tin Mill Road and the faculty was expanded with shop, home economics, social studies, beautician, music and athletic training. In 1961 Westfield became the first Alabama high school to offer Russian language studies, taught by Loretta Jones.
In 1963 a large portion of the Westfield community was demolished for expansion of U. S. Steel's Fairfield Works.
The school was a victim of school desegregation. It closed in 1971 and its former students were bused to formerly all-white schools elsewhere. The closure signaled the dissolution of the remaining community as families relocated. The building was demolished in 1973.
Principals
- Phillip Warren, 1935-1945
- Roslyn Ware, 1945
- Clarence Reeves, 1945-1959
- Paul Ware, 1959-1966
- William Jackson, 1967-1971
Notable alumni
- Richard Arrington Jr (transferred to Fairfield Industrial High School)
- U. W. Clemon, federal judge
- Linda Coleman-Madison, Alabama state senator
- Sam Frazier Jr, blues musician
- Willie Mays (left at age 16 to become a professional baseball player)
- Carlton Reese, choir director
References
- Reeves, C. L. (1978) "History of Westfield High School and of the Westfield High School Alumni Association" Westfield High School Alumni Association web site - accessed May 31, 2014
- Chambers, Jesse (August 2, 2013) "New film remembers long-gone West Jefferson community of Westfield, home of Mays, Clemon." The Birmingham News
External links
- "Westfield: Struggles to Success" documentary film produced by Sonja Stewart Tonpea