History Of East Rome High School

 

Research by Tommy Shiflett 

 

June 3, 1956 The Rome City Commission approved architect fees for the new white Rome High School.

• Other stuff that was going on that day;  Rome Beauty School was advertising permanents for $3.75 and up, shampoo and set for $.85, haircuts for $.60

• George Goble, Mitzy Ganor and David Niven were starring at the Desoto Theater in "The Birds and the Bees", it cost adults $.50 and children under 12 were admitted free. 

 

Nov 4, 1956 State approves plans for two Rome Schools. Construction of the proposed new white high school in East Rome and the Negro Elementary School in South Rome may get under way in 1967, budgeted at $700,000.  The proposal will give the city two white high schools.  Meanwhile progress is continuing on the new white high school being constructed in West Rome. 

• Other stuff going on that day; the British and the French were pounding Egypt over the Suez Canal 

• Katherine Hepburn was starring in "Summertime" at the West Rome Drive-in, adults $.45  children free.

 

Jan 17, 1957 Construction of Schools In Rome a Step Closer.  The State School Building Authority will largely finance the project has announced it will open bids on Feb. 19 In Atlanta. 

• Other stuff that day; Congress was attempting to whittle down Ike's proposed $71,807,000,000 budget request 

• "Written in the Wind" with Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall was playing at the Desoto Theater

•  Sears had its Allstate 15 month battery on sale for $6.88, including free installation 

• A&P was selling three cans of tomato soup for $.29,  Red Circle coffee was $.91 a pound.

 

Feb 28, 1957 Columbus Firm apparent low bidder on Schools.  They bid $828,135, which is $110,733 over budget.  The board was seeking alternatives to overcome the overage.  R.J. Wright and Associates was low bidder. 

• Other stuff that day; Belk’s was advertising boys shirts from $1.98 to $2.59 

• "Oklahoma" starring Gordon McCrae was playing at the First Ave Theater,  for this showing they were charging adults $.60 and children under 12 $.25.

 

March 6, 1957 Rome Board approve project with some alterations.  They cut some things out. 

• Other stuff that day; Susan Hayward and Kirk Douglass were staring at the Desoto in "Top Secret Affair" 

• John Wayne in "The Searchers" was at the Cedar Valley Drive-In 

• Bobby James ladies blouses were on sale for $1.99. 

 

March 12, 1957  Wallace Wilkerson named as new coach of the Hill toppers, to Succeed Mcphee. (Personal note:  Mcphee became the principle at West Rome, Wilkerson became the coach at East Rome.  To me this was planned well in advance.) 

• Playing at the Desoto was Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher in "Bundle of Joy" 

• Headline of the day  Egypt and the UN confer on the Gaza Strip Crisis. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.

 

April 14, 1957 Preliminary School Plans Announced. Hamil, Derrick to be Administrators. Occupation in the big school in West Rome is expected to take place in Jan. '58.  East Rome will not be ready until Sept '58.  C.E. Hamil, former principal at the Jr. High will be principal at the new East Rome High School.  The Coosa and the Oostanaula will be the dividing lines between the two new schools.  Those west of the rivers will attend West Rome.  Those East of the rivers will attend East Rome. 

• Other happenings on this day; Penney's had boxer shorts on sale for $.50 and canvas shoes on sale for $2.88

• Freddie Blassie was wrestling at the memorial gym

• Alan Freed with "Rock Rock Rock" was playing at the Desoto

• Bella Lugosi was in "Bride of the Monster" at the Cedar Valley.

 

June 3, 1957.  Suggested Names for the new high schools,  East Rome, West Rome, Cherokee High, Etowah High, Dixie High, Celanese High, Desoto High, and Shannon High.

• Headline of the Day;  Thousands of Troops Coming Home from Japan Under New Plan

• Sterche's had mattress and box springs on sale for $18.00

• "The Bachelor Party" with Don Murray, E.G. Marshal and Jack Warden was playing at the Desoto.

Just for fun:  How Many of these comic strips do you remember.  They were all in the "Sunday funnies" in the late 50"s.:  The Phantom,  Bringing up Father, Roy Rogers, Henry, Buzz Sawyer, Ozark Ike, Tim Tyler's Luck, Katzenjammer Kids,  Popeye, Little Annie Rooney, Flash Gordon, Grandma, Donald Duck, Lone Ranger, Mickey Mouse, Uncle Remus, and Snuffy.

 

Nov 15,1957  Rome Schools to participate in AA Athletics.  Rome’s two new high schools will participate in class AA rather than AAA, which is the present status of Rome High School. In class AA the two schools would play such teams as Calhoun, Lafayette, Cartersville, Canton and Murray County.  The new classification was established by the Rome Board of Ed.  The new classification is based on average daily attendance of between 400-650 students.  Naming of the two high schools was on the agenda but was tabled until later. 

• Headline of the day,  Khrushchev Claims Russia Superior, Wont Start War, Says the Next War will be Fought in America

• Playing at the Desoto Double feature  Alan Ladd in "Whispering Smith",  Sterling Hayden in "Five Steps to Danger"

• The Vogue had Exquisite Form Bra on sale for $2.50

 

Dec 13, 1957  East and West Rome Chosen Names For the Two New Schools.  The two high schools under construction were named East Rome High and West Rome High by the Rome Board of education.  Several names had been suggested, but recognizing the worth to the community of these people, the board feels that is more important to identify the schools with their location.  The board accepted the sponsorship of the first football game played by the two schools, by the Rome Lions Club and agreed that a reasonable portion of the proceeds would go to the musical programs of the schools.  The Rome Federation of Garden Clubs asked to handle the planting of the grounds at the two schools.  The federation announced that the state would donate 5,000 pine saplings which can be planted free of charge. 

• Headline of the day;  At Least 35 Deaths in the South Caused by Cold Weather

• Playing at the Desoto  "The Hard Man" staring Guy Madison

• The Big Apple was giving S&H Green Stamps,  white bread was on sale for 2 for $.25.

 

Feb 4, 1958  Kennedy Named Head Coach at West Rome High, Wilkerson at East Rome High.

 

May 2,1958 Board Plans High Schools Study Program.  Programs of study aimed at meeting the needs of the students will be offered in Rome’s two white schools next year.  Plans for the programs, called courses in some schools were discussed at Thursday’s Rome Board of Education meeting and will be announced shortly. 

• Headline of the day; Russia threatens to Veto Artic Open Skies Plan

• On sale at Millers,  Fabulous Pearl by Valjean $1.00 to $1.98

• G.C. Murphy’s had folding Aluminum chairs for $4.77

• Playing at the Desoto was "Jumping Jacks" with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, 2nd Feature was "Ride Out For Revenge" starring Rory Calhoun

• Playing at the First Ave Theater was "The Long Hot Summer" with Paul Newman and Joann Woodward.

 

May 6, 1958 Major revisions Made in Rome Schools Studies.   It was decided by the Rome Board of Education that there would be two courses of study at the two Rome High Schools, General Academics and College preparatory.  Under the general academics courses planned for those not intending to go to college a student would go light on mathematics and Science and heavy on elective and would get no foreign language. Under the College Preparatory those planning to go to college would have courses heavy in math and science with foreign languages.

• Headline; Starkweather In Effort To Find Unbiased Jury for Killer of Eleven

• Belk’s had Wayne Maid step in dresses on sale for $3.99

• Playing at the West Rome Drive-In "Bad Day at Black Rock" with Spencer Tracy.

 

June 3,1958 176 Seniors Graduate At Rome High.   Rome highs last graduating class will begin with exercises at 10:30 am Wed. at the Rome City Auditorium

• Headline of the day;  DeGaulle Is Now in Absolute Power

• Goodyear had a tire sale a nylon deluxe super cushion was on sale for $17.95

• Playing at the Desoto, "Thunder Road" with Robert Mitchum

• At the Cedar Valley "Sad Sack" with Jerry Lewis.

 

June 15, 1958 East Rome Parents to Promote and Encourage Participation in all school activities.  Parents from East Rome School district have formed a promotional group to support and encourage participation in all school actives at the new East Rome High School.  At the organization meeting William Camp was elected president.  (This was the beginning of the Gladiator Club.) 

• Headline of the day;  DeGaulle Facing Rebellion

• Wyatt’s had a 16-piece dishes starter set on sale for $14.95

• Playing at the First Ave Theater "God’s Little Acre" starring Robert Ryan,  adult’s $.75 children $.25.

 

June 22, 1958 Presbyterian College To Host East Rome Grid Camp.  Some 40 East Rome High Footballers are slated for a preparatory camp of a weeks duration on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton S.C.  The announcement was made by Coach Wally Wilkerson. 

• Headline of the Day;  Dixie Hails Judge's Little Rock Decision, Central High's Desegregation Suspended Until 1961

• Sears had mildew resistant house paint on sale for $3.99 a gallon

• Enloe's had Ipana toothpaste on sale 2 for $.99

• Playing at the Cedar Valley Drive-In "Count Three and Pray" with Van Heflin.

 

Aug 17, 1958  East Rome Footballers Leaving Today For Grid Camp In Clinton S.C. Coach Wallace Wilkerson announced that the East Rome Warriors received their football togs Sat morning preparing to leave today for Presbyterian College in Clinton S.C.

• Headline:  "Early Sunday Shot to the Moon is Said Possible"

• Toles Furniture Company had a 5-piece Dinette set on sale for $49.88

• G.C. Murphy had a back -to- school sale boys sport shirts for $.97. 

• Playing at the First Ave, "The Vikings" with Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas.

 

Sept 5, 1958  East Rome Gladiators Drop Model in Opener, Easterners stick to ground attack for 14 first downs 19-0 Victory.  Cited for good play were Larry Rickman, Dudley Stripling, Ken Camp and Pat Moss. 

• Headline: "Russia Warns They Will Rush to Help China" 

• Playing at North 53 Drive In: "The Wild Dakotas" with Bill Williams 

• Penney's had Bick Mac overalls on sale for $2.79 a pair

Oct 10,1958  New East Rome School to Open Oct. 20th. Present plans call for the opening of the new East Rome building on Monday Oct. 20.  Construction of the handsome $800,000.00 building was begun early last year.

• Headline:  "The body of Pope Pius returned to Rome today"

• Playing at the Desoto: "Gun Battle for Monterey" starring Sterling Hayden.

• You could buy a whiskbroom at the Economy Auto Store for $.33

Oct 19,1958  Classes to Open Monday at the New Rome High School, Rome's 2nd new high school was occupied this weekend.  Classes at the new $800,000.00  East Rome High School will open Monday.  C.E. Hamil is the principal.   East Rome High members have been meeting in the old senior High Building.  The Jr. High students will transfer into the old senior high building.  Total Enrollment at East Rome is 583 students. 

• Playing at the Desoto:" Onionhead" with Andy Griffith

Nov 7,1958  Spirit High for First East West Grid Battle,  Both schools have designated the game as homecoming. Homecoming queen for West Rome is Madge Smith and Homecoming queen for East Rome is Ellissia Witt.  They were featured at a downtown parade that featured both bands.  The Chieftains are 5-3-1.  The Glads are 5-3.  There are elaborate plans for halftime and a joint dance will be held at the Memorial Gym.  The Georgians will provide the music.  West Rome won a coin toss to determine the home team and the teams will alternate home team in the coming years.  There will also be a band contest between the two teams at half time with a trophy being awarded.

• Headline.  "Soviets Accused of Breaking Test Truce" 

• At the Desoto:  "The Bowery Boys in Bowery Battery"

• At the North 53 Drive-in "A Farewell to Arms" with Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones

 

Nov 9, 1958  West Rome Cops Thriller from East Rome 21-12,  6,000 fans attended. Largest crowd ever here.  West Rome also won the band competition. 

• Headline:" U.S. Warns Reds Against Politics and Propaganda" 

• At the Desoto: "Houseboat "with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant 

• Miller's had Haynes seamless stockings on sale for $1.35-$1.95 a pair

Nov 13,1958  School Board Tightens for Band and Teams,  For eligibility each player must pass 3 unit subjects each six weeks.  Failure to do so students will be ineligible to participate until 3 units are passed. 

• G.C. Murphy had businessmen lunches for $.77 on the menu was Haddock and chuck wagon steaks

• New Cold War Campaign Launched by Russians

• Also Tarzan White, the Bruiser and Midgets were in a mixed go at the Memorial Gym

• At the West Rome Drive-In "Darbys Rangers" with James Garner

As contributed by Steve Wimbish ERHS Class of 1960:

 

I can help with some of it. The school was completed in time for the move in which occurred during Christmas break of 1958. The first class to graduate was the class of 1959, I was in the class of 1960 and we were the first class to complete our entire senior year at East Rome.

 

Since Rome, Italy was the home of the fighting gladiators in the old days, the name was adopted because we were in Rome! I’m not sure exactly how many students attended at first but it was around 400-500, our senior class had about 125 in it.

 

Our football record wasn’t the greatest at first but they went on to be good many years later. All the good players lived in West Rome!

 

 

 

 

This is a start. If you have anything to add to the 30-year history of ERHS please contact us.