VIDEO: Springfield High Turns 125: A Celebration of History and Growth
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Springfield High School, a cornerstone of Robertson County’s educational history, is celebrating 125 years of operation. Since its establishment in the late 1800s, the school has seen many changes. Local historian Danny Atchley provides a detailed look at its rich past, and we’ve gathered archival photos, including images of past football teams and early school buildings, to help illustrate its long-standing legacy in the community.
“From our understanding of Springfield’s history, the first city school, supported by the city itself, was Main Street School. We believe it was built around 1899. Main Street School was located where the Center now stands, down on North Main Street. It was a two-story brick building and housed all the grades, from first grade through high school. It served the community for many years.
“As Springfield grew, they decided to establish a dedicated high school. Around 1900, Mr. Peoples and Mr. Tucker founded a private school, known as the Peoples-Tucker School. Many students from Springfield and Robertson County attended. Around 1910, the school closed, and shortly afterward, Springfield High School moved into the old Peoples-Tucker School building on Fifth Avenue West, which is where the Innovation Academy stands today. Springfield High remained there until 1936 when a fire broke out in the basement.
“The fire destroyed the school, except for the gymnasium, which was in a separate building. After the fire, students had to move back to the old Main Street School while a new high school was built. Construction began in 1936 as part of the WPA, and Springfield got a good deal financially. The new school was considered state-of-the-art when it was completed in 1938. Students then moved from Main Street to the new Springfield High School on Connell Street, where it remained until 1984.
“In 1981, the new Springfield High School was built out on Highway 76, and the old Springfield High School was converted into Springfield Middle School. That building remained the middle school until it was turned into the Innovation Academy, which is what it is today.
“To clarify, Innovation Academy is located on Fifth Avenue West, near the football field. The gymnasium, which survived the fire, is still part of the current school. When Peoples-Tucker burned, they demolished the remaining parts except for the gym, and then the new Springfield High School was built in 1938.
“Springfield no longer has a middle school. The students who used to attend Springfield Middle are now sent to either Coopertown or Joe Burns, except for those enrolled in Innovation Academy. There are plans in the works for a new middle school, but for now, we do not have one in the city.”
Smokey Barn News would like to thank Danny Atchley and the wonderful folks at the Robertson County Archives for the wonderful photo collection below.
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