The Palmersville Historical Society recently unveiled a monument to the enslaved people belonging to the original Palmer family. The names on the monument are those included in the Will of Smith Palmer, c. 1840.
Their descendants, Morna Palmer-Hutcherson, Midori Carpenter and Keno Palmer, attended the dedication ceremony.
Several schools have come and gone over the last century or so. Typically one-room schools were located in many communities and offered an eighth grade education. However, Palmersville was home to the Minida Normal College (at left), built about 1890. This two story frame building combined educational opportunities from the elementary level to B.S. and B.A. degrees.
Following the closing of the Minida Normal College in 1912, the citizens of Palmersville determined their young people would continue to have access to a higher education. A lot was purchased from Mr. Charlie Pentecost a short distance from the heart of the village. (Remember that “old” Palmersville was located west of Hwy. 89 on what is now the Latham Hwy.) With very little money but an abundance of will power and determination, a two-room frame building with an “L” shaped porch was constructed the following summer.
The newly elected school board members were Lis Pentecost, Johnny Buckley, and Gus Atkins. The first teachers were Miss Atkins, elementary, and Mr. Hassel, secondary. The curriculum consisted of Plane Geometry, Zoology, Agriculture, English, Geology, Bookkeeping, Algebra I and Il. No diplomas were given to students completing this work, but certificates were issued.
It soon became evident that this building was too small, and another room was added and another teacher. Enrollment grew and the building was just too small to accommodate the students who wanted to attend. Plans were then made to construct a larger building.
An article from the June 10, 1921 Dresden Enterprise carried the following caption: PALMERSVILLE ERECTING SCHOOL BUILDING. Mr. W. Jonah Gibson, the elected principal for the coming term, is quoted as saying, “Work has already commenced on the building and it will be pushed to a rapid completion. The building will be modern in every respect. It is being built according to plans and specifications suggested by the State Department of Education. The building is located on a beautiful five-acre campus west of the former building.”
Construction continued and a picture of the new school building appeared in the October 14, 1921 Dresden Enterprise with the following caption: PALMERSVILLE’S NEW $10,000 SCHOOL BUILDING. The old frame building was moved to the new school site and used for Home Economics and Agriculture. The school was now recognized as an accredited school.
An article in the September 22, 1922 issue of the Dresden Enterprise proclaimed: PALMERSVILLE HIGH TO OPEN
MONDAY, SEPT, 25. Mr. Fitch, principal, invited friends and patrons to attend the opening exercises featuring speeches, music, and entertainment with classification of students to follow.
The first graduation exercise was held in 1924 with diplomas issued to eight men: Ned Ray Kilgore, Dessel Pentecost, Gordon Pentecost, Curtis Roberts, Carter McWherter, Royce McWherter, Euclid Griffith, and Noland Parker.
In 1936, the frame classrooms from the original school burned. (Ask some of the old-timers for details.) In 1937, a gymnasium was built which included two classrooms, a stage, and a cafeteria, making it possible for hot lunches to be served for the first time. Prior to this, basketball games were played outdoors on dirt courts.
This gym served until the Weakley County Court appropriated money in 1950 for a new brick building consisting of a gymnasium, two classrooms, cafeteria, heating plant, and restrooms. This modem, state-of-the-art structure was completed and the first basketball garne played there in January of 1951. The Weakley County Tournament was also held there in 1951. The boys team won the County tournament and went on to win the District and 3 rd in the Regional.
Throughout the years, additional classrooms were added to the original frame structure and several renovations took place. However, the outward appearance of the building changed very little.
Then in August of 1980, construction of a new facility began while students began the school year in the old building. The new brick building would contain eight classrooms, a library, cafeteria, and office space and would cost $660,537. This new facility would be joined to the existing gymnasium. The old cafeteria was remodeled for use as the Home Economics Department. Local citizens joined together, volunteered their services, materials, and financial assistance, and built an Agriculture and Industrial Arts Shop behind the new school.
In 1982, Palmersville High School Grades K- 12 contained 170 students and employed fifteen teachers. In the spring of 1997, the final Senior class of Palmersville High School marched in their caps and gowns through the gymnasium onto the stage and received their diplomas. The school continued to operate as an elementary school K-8 until dwindling attendance forced its closing at the end of the school year in the spring of 2003. On May 30, 2003 as teachers and aides were boxing up and cleaning out, many with tears in their eyes, one thought was prevalent, “It’s a sad, sad day.”
Information contained in this article was gathered from Dresden Enterprise, Jerry Kennedy, Nelda Rachels, and June Kemp
Here we see the 1980 boys and girls basketball teams. Can you identify anyone for us? We’d love to list people in the picture.
September 11th, 1996 – Palmersville Cheerleaders
Front Row: Kristy King, Deanna King, Ashlee Smith, Ashley Donoho, and Kayla Stephens.
Bach Row: Alicia Boyd, Rhonda Cashion, Rachel Reynolds, Crystal Mansfield, Bonnie Crawford (Instructor), Robin Hunt, Rachel Hunt and Rachel Bratlow.
Not pictured Jeanine Shands and Amy Smethurick (Sponsor).
We all have good memories of this place, located in downtown Palmersville. It was built in the 1950s by Basil Griffith and had several owners over the years.
This picture was taken in 1990s, and at this point it was owned by Larry and Karon Moubray.
Here we see Sam Winstead standing in front of Winstead’s Dry Goods (Mercantile), offering everything from coffee to coffins, in downtown (Old) Latham, c. 1919.
Inside the Palmersville School gymnasium, Palmersville Pirates vs. the Gleason Bulldogs, c. late-1970s.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Pritchett
Here is a recently found picture of the Dukedom Flour Mill from the early 1900s.
Shown is a view inside Workmans Grocery, owner Carmon Workman is seen at lower right. c. 1960s
Do you know the other man in the picture?
Special thanks to Robert G Reynolds of Palmersville, TN.
The 1980 Pirates and Lady Pirates basketball teams. They are wearing new uniforms purchased by the former Weakley County Bank through a community support program. Weakley County Bank employees, Carol Ann Smith and Brenda Donoho are featured representing the bank. Coach Robert Richards is also seen in the photo, along with both boys and girls teams – Photo courtesy of the Dresden Enterprise.
And here is the moment the money was donated in 1979:
Palmersville High School – 1979
Weakley County Bank donates funds to Palmersville School for new basketball uniforms – (L to R) Sam Gatewood, Brenda Donoho, Carol Ann Smith, Robin Montgomery and Coach Richards.
Special thanks to Robert G Reynolds of Palmersville, TN.
Palmersville Historical Society 