A look back at the Rosenwald School
As Enquirer readers know from last week’s issue, a historic marker will soon be erected at the site of the Morgan County Training School.
Aug. 18, 1923 – The Rosenwald School is now under construction. School leaders will be Catston N. McDaniel, principal, and R. N. McKenzie, first assistant. (This institution later became the Morgan County Training School.)
Nov. 5, 1923 – The Rosenwald Training School, located at this point, has been completed and classwork began there the past week. This is a handsome school building and was built by funds from the Rosenwald Initiative supplemented by money from the state department of education. The principal is C. N. McDaniel who donated five acres of land, and has taught school here for several years. The building cost over $10,000.
Dec. 3, 1923 – Catston N. McDaniel, community leader and educator, died early Sunday morning at his residence after an illness of over a year.
Professor McDaniel was instrumental in raising funds for the Morgan County Training school here. He was recently appointed by George W. Abercrombie, state director of education, to head the school, but was never able to assume his duties on account of his failing health. During the past year he served as grand secretary of the Prince Hall Grand Masonic Lodge of Alabama.
Oct. 8, 1935 – The alumni association of the Morgan County Training School met tonight, re-electing officers in the new stone building. Elbert Jackson continues to serve as president.
Oct. 4, 1935 – The PTA of the Morgan County Training School held its first meeting this afternoon. The members of the organization have a great determination to slumber not and they are studying progress in every respect.
Nov. 15, 1935 – Morgan County Training School was dedicated today.
Dec. 24, 1935 – The Morgan County Training School football team and the Decatur team will meet in a holiday game at Benson field tomorrow afternoon.
May 14, 1939 – The Morgan County Training School choir appeared in recital at the Methodist church this evening. These outstanding singers have recently won contests at the county, district, and state levels.
Sept. 9, 1940 – The fall semester began for all grades at the Morgan County Training School today.
May 22, 1941 – Morgan County Training School students put on the play, “The Wild Oats Boy,” tonight.
July 17, 1947 – C. A. Fredd has resigned as MCTS principal after serving in this position for 13 years. His new title is principal of Greensboro’s Hale County Training School. Principal Fredd’s replacement here is Professor I. F. Stallworth.
Nov. 12, 1956 – The monthly meeting of the Morgan County Training School PTA was held this afternoon in the library of the school. Mrs. Sarah C. Johnson was elected president for the ensuing year.
Dec. 27, 1956 Construction started last week on a 40-foot addition on the east side of Morgan County Training School.
May 7, 1959 – The Morgan County Training School band recently won high honors during competition at Alabama A & M in Huntsville.
June 17, 1971 – The county board of education has decided to abandon use of the former Morgan County Training School facilities. Most recently, only the gym has been used by an independent basketball league.
December 23, 1971 – A study committee favors the relocation of the eighth grade to the former Morgan County Training School building.
June 2, 1977 – Isaac Frank Stallworth’s funeral rites were conducted at Peck Funeral Home today. Professor Stallworth served the cause of education for 36 years. He was a combat engineer in India, Burma, and China during World War II. For 22 years he was principal of Morgan County Training School.
Dec. 15, 1977 – Fire destroyed the historic Morgan County Training School main building last night. Most recently, the structure had accommodated the children who participate in Head Start.
Nov. 14, 1997 – C. A. Fredd, Sr., who spent more than 45 years as an educator and administrator, died. He was the first president of Tuscaloosa State Technical College, which later was named C. A. Fredd Technical College in his honor. In the 1920s he was principal of Morgan County Training School. He also served as a Baptist minister for 48 years.