Boys High School, Atlanta, Georgia

In 1869, Alderman D. C. O'Keefe of the Atlanta City Council requested that the Mayor, two Councilmen, and seven citizens investigate the need for Public Schools in Atlanta. As a result, Boys' High School in Atlanta opened its doors on Ivy Street on 30 January 1872. The building known as the James Building, at the corner of Whitehall and Hunter Streets, was first used by the school. Enrollment for the first year was 124 students, with Mr. Wills, principal.

The school building had a tumultuous history. Only two years later, it was moved to a building on Ivy Street, near Edgewood Avenue.

Mr. W. F. Slaton succeeded Mr. Wills as principal, and he became instrumental in forming the Alciphronian Literary and Debating Society. In 1874, there were 17 graduates, and in 1875 there were 9 graduates.

The school needed funding, and by 1877 had a total of only 75 students. The school continued to grow under Mr. Slaton, despite its trying years. In 1883, it was moved to the old City Hall building, and the following year had to be removed to a temporary location while the old City Hall was being torn down. When the school moved into its new home in 1888, on Washington Street, 153 students were enrolled. But alas, in 1892, the school moved again, this time into the old Medical College building on the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Porter Street. 1909 enjoys the reputation of having the largest number of boys to graduate...44.

Boys'High School, 1909