News Flash

2019 News Archive

Posted on: June 17, 2019

Historic Lemon Street Grammar School To Be Saved

root sunset

June 17, 2019

CONTACT: Trevor Beemon

Executive Director

tbeemon@cobblandmarks.com

678.594.4994

MARIETTA - Lemon Street. For African Americans of a certain age in Marietta, this road holds fond memories of a community rich in tradition and culture. From the Fort Hill Homes, to Cole Street Missionary Baptist Church, the Hattie Wilson Library, and the Lemon Street Grammar and High Schools, generations of Mariettans have lived, learned, played, and prayed in this neighborhood. 

Earlier this year, Marietta City Schools announced plans to relocate its Central Office to the site of the old Lemon Street High School near the Marietta Square. The new structure would be designed to replicate the c. 1930 Lemon Street High School building that had been demolished in 1967. Plans for the new building included a museum dedicated to telling the story of Marietta City Schools from 1892 to the present day. The plan was very exciting, but one thing wasn't clear - the future of the c. 1950 Lemon Street Grammar School located directly across the street. The district needed more space, and the old Grammar School building was in need of substantial upgrades and repairs. A rumored demolition plan prompted Trevor Beemon, Executive Director of Cobb Landmarks, to reach out to Marietta City Schools.

"For me it was important for Cobb Landmarks to get in touch with Marietta City Schools early in the planning stages of their project," said Beemon. "I want Cobb Landmarks to be a resource for our partners. I have found that opening up a dialogue and helping walk through different options usually leads to a successful outcome for everyone." When Trevor met with Grant Rivera, Superintendent of Marietta City Schools, he was happy to hear that preserving the Lemon Street Grammar School was a priority of his. "We have always known, due to its unique history, that the building is worth saving," said Rivera. Cobb Landmarks expressed the importance of maintaining the historic exterior of the structure at the very least, but hoped for more. "The question was whether we could afford to save the building while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars," said Rivera. "We are pleased to say that, after careful study, we will be able to do both." 

Currently used as a warehouse for the District, the Lemon Street Grammar School will be returned to its original use: educating Marietta's students. Marietta City Schools plans to preserve the building's exterior and key architectural features while rehabilitating the interior, making it conducive to a modern learning environment. The building is slated to open in 2021 as the new home to the Marietta Performance Learning Center, a division of Marietta High School. A small exhibition inside the school will further tell the story of the once-segregated school system, while outdoor interpretive panels will focus on the history of the surrounding community. "When historic buildings are torn down, a part of the past disappears forever," said Beemon."Preserving buildings like the Lemon Street Grammar School means we care about the places where our community's character was shaped."

The plan for the Lemon Street Grammar School will be formally voted on by the Board of Education on Tuesday evening. 

To learn more about Cobb Landmarks and other preservation efforts, please visit CobbLandmarks.com. 


Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in 2019 News Archive

city hall

City Offices Closed for New Year's Day

Posted on: December 26, 2019
city hall

City Offices Closed for Christmas

Posted on: December 19, 2019
8I2A9772

City Council to Meet December 17, 2019

Posted on: December 13, 2019
city hall

City Offices Closed for Thanksgiving

Posted on: November 25, 2019
8I2A9772

City Council to Meet November 26, 2019

Posted on: November 21, 2019
strand

Strand Theatre Announces Holiday Events

Posted on: November 20, 2019
8I2A9772

City Council to Meet October 29, 2019

Posted on: October 24, 2019
8I2A9772

City Council to Meet September 24, 2019

Posted on: September 23, 2019
history

Touchstones to the Past: Cemetery Tours

Posted on: September 19, 2019
history

Diverse Cobb: Know Your Neighborhoods

Posted on: September 11, 2019
city hall

City Offices Closed for Labor Day

Posted on: August 27, 2019
8I2A9772

City Council to Meet August 27, 2019

Posted on: August 22, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet July 30, 2019

Posted on: July 25, 2019
tara wood

Tara Comes to Marietta!

Posted on: July 8, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet June 25, 2019

Posted on: June 19, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet May 28, 2019

Posted on: May 21, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet April 23, 2019

Posted on: April 23, 2019
MARLCI_Community Meeting 3_Flyer

City of Marietta Needs Your Input!

Posted on: April 17, 2019
city hall

City Offices Closed for Good Friday

Posted on: April 12, 2019
MPD Headquarters

MPD Announces Rad Kids Summer Camp

Posted on: April 11, 2019
CobbWorks01

CobbWorks, Inc. Seeks New CEO

Posted on: March 29, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet March 26, 2019

Posted on: March 22, 2019
fountain

City of Marietta Needs Your Input!

Posted on: February 28, 2019
city seal

Notice of Agenda Item

Posted on: February 27, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet February 26, 2019

Posted on: February 20, 2019
MARLCI_Community Meeting 2_Flyer Option2

City of Marietta Needs Your Input!

Posted on: February 12, 2019
council chamber

City Council to Meet January 29, 2019

Posted on: January 25, 2019
MARLCI_Community Meeting 1Flyer

City of Marietta Needs Your Input!

Posted on: January 15, 2019
SMILE final

MPD Announces New SMILE Program

Posted on: January 7, 2019