slideshow

EASLEY—The New Easley High School is a state of the art facility that is scheduled to open later this year. Although it is outfitted with the most modern of progressive technology, it has been designed to pay homage to the past.

The look of the new Easley High School will encapsulate the essence of its predecessor through similar architectural details. Portions of the old school and the ’39 building in particular, will be renovated and preserved to serve as the city’s second middle school.

The original school off Pendleton Street was completed in August of 1939 and opened to the public on Friday September 1, just one week after the release of the Judy Garland classic “The Wizard of Oz”.

The Old Easley High School represents more than an aged building. It is a reference point in human sentiment, and it is an unbroken link to Easley’s past

And so, the Easley Progress will now shake off the red rust of time and open up the archives to the Thursday August 31, 1939 edition.

The front page of that edition featured a large horizontal image of the new school and an article titled “Easley Schools to Open Monday.”

The original school cost $240,000 to complete and was opened to the public at 9 a.m. on Friday September 1, 1939.

That same night at the Easley Amusement Center, the Lyric Theatre showed “Man about Town” starring Jack Benny.

In 1939, a new Studebaker Champion cost $660 and Kellogg’s Corn Flakes turned 33-years-old.

A subscription price to the Easley Progress was $1.25 per year, and the comic section featured “Pop” by J. Millar Watt

A pint of alcohol from Rogers Drug Store would sell for 25 cents, while Frierson’s Drug Store became the headquarters for school books and supplies, and sold fountain pens for 25 cents and school satchels starting at 25 cents to a $1.25.

In world news, a new crisis loomed as both Germany and Poland began mobilizing troops, while at home, Pickens County sportsmen began preparing for hunting season that would open on October, 1.

The Thursday August 31, 1939 edition concluded with a full page tribute address.

“Easley is Proud of New High School”.

The tribute reads as follows:

“The Easley Progress, together with the entire population of Easley, and surrounding community is glowing with pride in the completion of Easley’s magnificent new school building. As a sort of tribute to those responsible for the success of the enterprise, we are publishing this edition to give the public at least a partial list of firms and individuals who have helped to make it possible”.

The list included the superintendent, W.M. Scott, and the Principal, J.C. Brice, and businesses like the Easley Sales Company, Ellison’s Market, Cassel’s Furniture Store, and Freeman’s Barber Shop.