Bessemer High School
Bessemer High School was a high school serving the Bessemer area during most of the 20th century.
Bessemer High School originated at Arlington School at the corner of Arlington Avenue and 19th Street South Bessemer in 1910. Classes met there until September 1923, when the high school moved to a new building at 1412 2nd Avenue North leaving Arlington as an elementary school. Additional classrooms and a gymnasium were added up through 1936.
Bessemer High closed in June 1970, being replaced by Jess Lanier High School in the fall. The school's photos, trophies, and other memorabilia became part of the collection of the Bessemer Hall of History. The building is now the Alabama Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Programs
Bessemer High School's yearbook was The Kallista. Over the years, it's clubs included A-Club, B-Club, Hi-Y, Tri-Hi-Y, Sports Club, National Honor Society, and Aero Club.
Athletics
Bessemer High's athletic teams were the Tigers and there colors were purple and white.
Coach Snitz Snider oversaw the school's football program for 31 years from 1933 to 1963, winning championships in 1918, 1919, 1925, 1940, 1945, 1951, 1952, and 1954.
Alma Mater
Alma Mater, Bessemer High School,
We'll love thee more and more each year.
While always in our memory's pool,
You'll be reflected clear.
You have guarded us and cherished us,
Alma Mater, mother of men,
You have labored on and given us
Wisdom, morals, all we win.
The memory of your Purple and White
Inspires us on the football field.
It urges us to win the fight
When dark defeat does steal.
May your dear walls ne'er sever,
May your last stone stand forever,
May our love for you be as of yore,
Bessemer High School, evermore.
Principals
- R. S. Mickle, 1910–1915
- William Pittman, 1915–1916
- R. L. Burke, 1916–1918
- Clarke Mosley, 1918–1922
- A. H. Fillers, 1922–1923
- Rolla Wood, 1923–1927
- James Davis, 1927–1951
- J. R. Pittard, 1951–1952
- C. E. Hooten, 1952–1958
- James Turnipseed, 1958–1961
- Bill Clark, 1961–1964
- Dr. Jack Hale, 1965–1968
- Horace Peterson, 1968–1970
References
- Bessemer High School Grand Reunion IV program (1993).