Paving of the Square

and

Schools in Monticello

By John Harvey

Many of our younger citizens can hardly conceive of the downtown Square not being paved, but for some of our older citizens it was a reality of their childhood.

In those days when the weather was fine and sunny our town had much of the charm of the Southern rural towns described by Augustus Longstreet in his "George Scenes" but when it rained, the Square was a nightmare.  Many remember those huge mud holes at the corners.  They could easily pass for miniature lakes.

The Monticello News during 1928 - 30 gives the continuing story of the paving of the Square.  In February 1928 stories were run of the paving of the Jackson square and how Covington had already paved their square and were now paving some of their streets leading off the square.  Mention was made that a petition was being circulated around the Monticello square calling for the people to vote on an "enabling act."

The plan was to pave the Square and one block on each of the streets leading off the square.  In March 1929 the paper stated that the "Enabling Act had been passed some eight months before and that 51 percent of the merchants had signed the petition. (Back then each merchant had to agree to pay for the paving in front of his business)

The article ended: "Won't it be fine when the Square is paved, follow citizens?  We'll say it will with thanks to those who realize the importance of the improvements to be made?.

On Oct 16 1919 bids were received by the mayor and council for the work and materials.  A week later it was announced that Davis Brothers, the contractors who had pave the Jackson Square had received the contract and that those who had won contracts to furnish materials should deliver them as soon as possible so that work might get under way.

Finally, on Feb 20 1930 the headline reads:  "Monticello Paving of Square Finished".  The story goes on to report that David Construction company of Atlanta announced earlier this week that the paving of the Monticello Square and three streets for one block off the Square had been completed for a cost of $35,500.33. Though the work had been held up at times by inclement weather, several weeks of hard labor and the paving had been completed.

Monticello now has one of the best jobs of paving in the state according to those who have examined it.  Grading was done by the Jasper County work Camp under the supervision of Warden Eli Leverett and his assistants.

Knox Thomas, construction engineer, is recognized as one of the South's outstanding engineers and his work here was entirely satisfactory to all concerned.  Surveyors were A. D. Reynolds of Hawkinsville, Ga., assisted by V. E. O'Neal of Jackson.  C. R. Hopper of Griffin represented the Contractors;

Schools in Monticello

Everyone is familiar with the "Bumble Bee Academy" which was operated by Miss Joyce Glover at the Glover house.  The tracing of the development of education is often very interesting.

The first Public School in Monticello was at the corner of South Warren and Paradise.  Today, that is the vacant lot next to the Methodist Cemetery.  Many remember the old building that stood on the lot - it burned in 1940.

The teacher was Mr. William T. Dumas.  Many of our oldest citizens "went to school" at this school until is was replaced in 1925.

It is interesting that when you mention "Professor Dumas" that their eyes will light up and they'll say, "Oh, yes our beloved Professor Dumas.  Mr. Dumas was a poet and after he left Monticello, he was associated with the University of Georgia English Department.

In 1922, a new building was built on College Street.  Until it was completed in 1925, students attended school in various building in town.  Some remember starting school in the Court House.  The Baptist Church, Methodist Church, the Stage Coach Inn and the _____ house.

In 1925 the new school was dedicated with a pageant written by Mrs. L. Y. Pittard.  I was loaned a copy of the program by Mrs. Herschel _____, for the preparation of this article.  The pageant was "Monticello - 1808(?) - 1925".

The first school in the community was the Rosewald School which still stands on South Warren Street.  For some years, it was known as the "Teachers Dormitory" after years as a school.  The next school was the Jasper County Training School at the foot of Mason Street.

In the early 1950's, Monticello and Jasper County received money for schools from the state, when schools were consolidated. The school built with these funds were the public high school and the Washington Park School.

Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) April 2005,  from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. 
John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's and 1980's time frame. Some were under the title "Jasper Reflections", others "Bicentennial Bits".
Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles.

Copies of articles provided by Benny Hawthorne.