A History of Gorgas Elementary School

Gorgas Elementary School, originally Gorgas High School, was established in northern Tuscaloosa County on land generously donated by Isaac Morgan Boone. Named in honor of General William Crawford Gorgas, a renowned U.S. Army physician and pioneer in tropical disease prevention, the school marked a major advancement in local education as the first graded school in rural Tuscaloosa County, replacing the scattered one-room schoolhouses of earlier days.

Over the years, the institution evolved, first transitioning into Gorgas High School before returning to its roots as an elementary school in 1957. However, its journey didn’t end there. By the mid-1970s, the building stood empty after students were transferred to the newly constructed Walker Elementary School. The last sixth-grade class spent half their year at Gorgas and the other half at Walker, bridging the old and the new.

Among the school’s beloved educators were Ms. Prewitt, Mrs. Title, Mrs. Bolton, Mrs. Freeman, and Mrs. White, whose dedication left a lasting impact on generations of students.

Tragically, the abandoned building was destroyed by fire in the 1970s, leaving only memories behind. Yet, the legacy of Gorgas School remains a cherished chapter in Tuscaloosa County’s educational history.

Nestled in a heavily forested, rural area, the school reflected the region’s heritage of farming and coal mining. More than just a place of learning, Gorgas served as a vibrant community hub—nowhere was this more evident than during its legendary Halloween Carnivals. The maze of cardboard box tunnels and the thrill of bladeless chainsaws created unforgettable experiences. Even the newer carnivals at Walker Elementary couldn’t quite capture the magic of the old Gorgas building.

Go Cardinals!