PHS

Pound High School

1953 Pound High School was Built

The Story of the Pound Schools

The Birthday of Pound High School:    November 30, 1953

The Children of Pound High School:    In the 1880's, starting with my little Pound School at the Methodist Church, I helped to raise the children of the Pound Community. Along with the Pound High School that was built in 1953, I have helped to raise thousands of children.

Military Service:    My Children served all branches of the military.  

Comments:    About 1750 the first men entered the Pound River area with settlers soon following to establish the first settlement in Wise County. It was not until 200 years later on April 7, 1950, that the community of Pound was incorporated.

The town of Pound stretches for approximately two miles alongside the Pound River. The Pound river, which flows through a gap in the mountain range, acts as a natural border between the states of Kentucky and Virginia.

Located about four miles from the Virginia and Kentucky border in Wise County, Pound is situated in a valley, which has an elevation of 1,550 feet. Surrounding this natural valley are rolling hills and mountains.

In the early days of Pound's settlement, the community had a horse-operated mortar and pestle grain meal, which was used for "pounding grain". The town's name was derived from the grain meal operation and became known as "the Pound". Some older residents still refer to Pound as "the Pound".

The area around the town of Pound is mountainous and the primary natural resource is coal. Today, nine hundred ninety-five citizens reside within the corporate limits of Pound.

Summary

Nurtured by a rich ancestry, Pound High School continues to provide a wholesome learning experience to those students desiring a sound, basic high school education. An area in which improvement has been made in recent years is that of cultural enrichment.created.

School Story:    Chronological History of Pound High School

1880's Pound school established 1880's when school was taught in the old Methodist church.

1890's Methodist Church building was blown off its foundation.

1900's During the time the Methodist Church was being rebuilt, probably in the early 1900’s, a four-room wooden school was built on the same hill.

1900's The four-room wooden school burned and was rebuilt on the same foundation.

1900's At that time the early childhood grades were taught in the church building and high school students were in 4-room wooden school

1916 Wise County Public Schools in the Pound Area were: Austin; Boggs, Bolling, Dewey, Hillman, and Laurel Fork

1917 The Boggs School provided a basic education for the children in Pound in 1917

1920's In the late 1920's a brick building of four rooms was built for a high school.

1920's Christopher Gist High School, Name of the first High School. Named after explorer.

1924 The Pound Primary School provided a basic education for the children in Pound.

1928 Miss Thelma Roberson was the first high school graduate in 1928. She had the distinction of being the one and only first graduate.

1930 In 1930 the Pound High School, Christopher Gist High School was fully accredited.

1930's In the early 1930’s a stone frontage and some extra classrooms were added to the Christopher Gist School.

1942 In December of 1942, the Pound high school known as the "Christopher Gist High School" building burned to the ground. The four-room wooden building, was brought back into use.

1942 Several buildings around town and the Methodist church were again pressed into service for a school.

1944 In the fall of 1944 the Pound high school building was rebuilt and opened.

1949 Mr. M. B. Barker, who had served as the first football coach, in 1964 he became a principal for Pound High School.

1953 In 1953, the present Pound high school building was opened and named Pound High School and the other school became Pound Elementary School.

1962 In 1962 an elementary addition to Pound High School was constructed on the high school complex.

1970 In 1970 the Pound elementary school addition was no longer considered part of the combined Pound High School and became known as the Pound Elementary School.

1977 In 1977 a new elementary school building, was constructed along state route 23. This school building was named the J. W. Adams Elementary School.

1977 With the opening of the J. W. Adams school, the elementary addition, commonly referred to as the "Annex Building", became part of Pound High School.

1977 The "Annex Building" was then used primarily for the seventh and eighth grade sections of Pound High School.

2000 In the year 2000, J. W. Adams Elementary School was remodeled.

2000 Starting with the 2000-2001 school year the seventh grade section of Pound High School was moved to the newly remodeled J. W. Adams Elementary School.

2001 Until the end of the 2000-2001 school year the "Annex Building" was used for 12 different classroom teachers and was attended by students in all grades 7-12.

2001 After many years of useful purpose, in the summer of 2001 the "Annex Building" of the current Pound High School was vacated.

2001 The Teachers and students in the 8th grade section, of Pound High School were moved to the J. W. Adams Elementary School.

2001 2001 J. W. Adams was renamed the J. W. Adams Combined School.

2001 Classroom teachers that were using the "Annex Building" of Pound High School were moved into the main Pound High School building. Grades 9-12

Chronology of Principals at Pound High School

1924-1930 In 1924 Mr. Luther Addington came to Pound as principal.

1930-1964 In March 1930 Mr. O. M. Morris became the principal at Pound.

1964-1972 In 1972 Mr. M. B. Barker, who had served since his arrival in 1949 as the first football coach, became principal of Pound High School.

1972-1974 In 1974, Mr. D. C. Greear succeeded Mr. Barker as the principal.

1974-1989 In 1989, Mr. Baker retired as principal. Mr. Jerry Copley succeeded Mr. Baker.

1989-1992 Mr. Copley resigned. Upon his resignation Mr. James E. Hurt was appointed principal.

1992-2001 Mr. James E. Hurt, after nine years as principal, retired his position.

2001-2006 In 2001 Mr. Greg Mullins became the Pound High School Principal. In 2006 Mr. Mullins began a new position at the School Board Office. Mr. Mullins is the Supervisor of Transportation/Pupil Personnel Services

2006-2011 In 2006 the Pound High School Principal was Mrs. Marcia Shortt. Before she became the principal, Mrs. Shortt was the Principal at the J. W. Adams Combined School. Mrs. Shortt remained the principal until the school closed due to consolidation. Mrs. Shortt is now the Director of Elementary Education for Wise County Schools.

2011-to Present Day The high school aged children from the Pound Community, now attend the consolidated school for Pound and Wise. The school is called Central High School. Beginning in the January of 2014, the students will attend the newly constructed Central High School.