Russell High School (East Point, Georgia)

Russell High School (formerly Russellville High School) was a high school in East Point, Georgiathat opened in 1924. The namesake of the school was the late William A. Russell. William A Russell was a civil war soldier. The school closed in 1988 when it was combined with [[Headland High School (East Point, Georgia)], College Park High School and Hapeville High School (Hapeville Georgia to form Tri-Cities High School.[1] At the time of its closing, Russell was the oldest school in the Fulton County system. The schools were merged due to declining populations, aging of the communities as North Fulton was exploding with growth at the time. (Pointer, vol. 60, p. 10 (1984)). When Tri-Cities was under construction, it also came at the cost of the now closed Harris Street Elementary School which was merged with Parklane Elementary. The official name of Tri-Cities High School is Tri-Cities High School/William A. Russell campus. This was done to satisfy the Russell family and a memorial placard stands on Harris Street near the auditorium.

Russell High School was built in the shape of an "R" with the two "legs" made up of covered walkways headed towards the gymnasium and technical education shop, (drafting, wood, metal, and woodworking classes), buildings. Later, in 1973, a newer two story building which featured air conditioning and no classroom windows was constructed in front of the original classroom building. The year, "79", etc. was painted on the water tower each year by seniors of the graduating class. (Id. at 174).

SPORTS: Possibly the most famous athlete from Russell High School is Reginald Rutland who played professionally with the Minnesota Vikings.

References

  1. "Old Rivals Now Classmates at Consolidated Tri-Cities High School". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 29, 1988. p. A/12.