Bridgeforth High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bridgeforth High School
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Bridgeforth High School, May 2014.
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1095 Bledsoe Rd., Pulaski, Tennessee |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | McKissack and McKissack; Taylor, Jackson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000697 |
| Added to NRHP | August 9, 2006 |
Bridgeforth High School, located in Pulaski, Tennessee, holds a special place in history. It was the very first high school for African American students in Giles County, Tennessee. The school first opened its doors in 1937. It was named after J. T. Bridgeforth, who was an important early educator for African American students in the area.
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The Original Bridgeforth School Building
The first building used by Bridgeforth High School is a beautiful structure. It is built in the Colonial Revival style. This building was finished in 1936, a year before the school officially opened. It is also known as Bridgeforth School. This historic building is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a significant historical site in the United States.
Who Designed the Building?
The original school building was designed by a famous architecture firm. This firm was called McKissack and McKissack. They were well-known architects. The building served as Bridgeforth High School until 1958. At that time, a larger, newer school building was constructed. The original Bridgeforth High School building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. Today, a local religious group uses this historic building.
A New Home for Bridgeforth High School
In 1959, Bridgeforth High School moved into its new, larger building. The school continued to educate students there for several years. This period was a time when schools in the United States were often separated by race. This separation was called segregation.
Schools Become Integrated
By 1965, Giles County changed its public school system. Schools became "integrated," which meant students of all races could attend the same schools. After this change, the Bridgeforth High School building took on a new role. It became Pulaski Junior High School. This junior high school taught students in grades 7 through 9.
Bridgeforth Middle School
Later, in 1978, the junior high school changed again. It became a middle school for students in grades 5 through 8. At this time, it was renamed Bridgeforth Middle School. This name honored the important history of the original Bridgeforth High School.
