I understand that Union was created by combining Appalachia and Powell Valley. However, was a brand new school built or did they just remodel one of the old schools?
Union High School?
- Thread starter VolNation85
- Start date
The new Union High school stands where the old Powell Valley High once stood. The old Appalachia High was sold back to the Town..
The school board went through several scenarios for consolidating Wise Co's six high schools (plus the possibility of including John I Burton in Norton), so a new school would be awaiting once existing schools were closed. Due to political reasons the board of supervisors would not approve the money for any plan. So, the school board voted to close St. Paul, Pound, and Appalachia and send those schools to the existing Coeburn, JJ Kelly, and Powell Valley buildings, respectively.
During the summer. New school names, mascots, and colors were chosen by students. Any reference to the old names in Coeburn, JJ Kelly, and Powell Valley were changed, covered, or painted over.
Once consolidation happened, the board of supervisors had no choice but to approve funding and plans for the new schools.
Union High was literally constructed 20 feet behind the corner of the library in the old Powell Valley building, while students continued to attend it. Once students moved into the new building, Powell Valley high school was torn down.
You can see how close Union is to the old building site by these pics.
http://www.alwaysaviking.com/000/9/3/5/16539/userfiles/image/PVHS_magnet.jpg
http://portals.wise.k12.va.us/Portals/10/Images/UNION.jpg
During the summer. New school names, mascots, and colors were chosen by students. Any reference to the old names in Coeburn, JJ Kelly, and Powell Valley were changed, covered, or painted over.
Once consolidation happened, the board of supervisors had no choice but to approve funding and plans for the new schools.
Union High was literally constructed 20 feet behind the corner of the library in the old Powell Valley building, while students continued to attend it. Once students moved into the new building, Powell Valley high school was torn down.
You can see how close Union is to the old building site by these pics.
http://www.alwaysaviking.com/000/9/3/5/16539/userfiles/image/PVHS_magnet.jpg
http://portals.wise.k12.va.us/Portals/10/Images/UNION.jpg
Very informative post. Who knew that Wise ever had six high schools? Augusta is a much larger county and we only have five. As for all the ones you mentioned, I can remember every one of them having at least some kind of success in the post-season in either football or basketball, with the possible exception of St. Paul. Appalachia and Powell Valley of course had their football titles, Pound had a great girls basketball team one year, and when I think of JJ Kelly, I think mainly of baseball.
Clarke county has only the one high school and its been that way for a very long time, probably since the 1950's.
Yeah, but it's been in three different locations that I know of, possibly four.
The coal fields of SW VA and southern WV were pretty thickly populated, with numerous high schools. Fayette County WV had 11 high schools in 1950, including the segregated high school. They currently have five and may be down to two in the next five years.
Wise Co. Schools once served 10,000 students. There are less than 6,000 now. St. Paul was the smallest and never really known for athletics, but all other schools had success in one sport or another. Before my time, but I heard stories that Appalachia was so densely populated in the 40s and 50s that pedestrians clogged the roads because the sidewalks weren't large enough to accommodate them.
Any pictures of the football fields/stadiums down there?
There are some really scenic fields in VA.
I thought that would be a great idea for someone to compile into a book --- wouldn't be a huge seller but I bet you could sell a couple thousand pretty easy.....
There are some really scenic fields in VA.
I thought that would be a great idea for someone to compile into a book --- wouldn't be a huge seller but I bet you could sell a couple thousand pretty easy.....
It really is a shame the way some towns can thrive and then for whatever economic reason, they just go into a depression. I know it is a different county, but I have read about Grundy for example and what it once was. Closer to home, we have our Craigsville, which we once discussed on here. Then there is poor little Clifton Forge and Covington.
But other towns seem to manage quite well. Probably no answer and no solution in most cases.
But other towns seem to manage quite well. Probably no answer and no solution in most cases.
Manufacturing plants that were moved out of the country is what killed small towns. That's why I try to stay away from chains and shop as much local owned as I can.
Ernie Hicks Stadium - Richlands
http://www.emats-inc.com/images/rhsField.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Lb7hLLIfB9Q/maxresdefault.jpg
Legion Field - Gate City
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=96956bbb3f7229a1bb08a1b10bee5833&oe=56DC72B6
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=eee574e5905580b44042a351c8d65247&oe=56F14E7D
Mitchell Stadium - Bluefield College, Bluefield, WV, Graham HS, Va
http://www.stadiumconnection.com/simages/1659.jpg
Seats 10,000 and it fills up for the annual Bluefield/Graham game.
Ridgeview High school - Newly consolidated Dickenson Co school
https://app.box.com/s/pzomatd1ds867f8daw94ewevd68ufliz
http://p5cdn4static.sharpschool.com...uction photos/for banner/football stadium.jpg
Central Warrior Stadium - Central HS(Wise Co)
This pic is not photoshopped. They're on top of a mountain and have a gorgeous view.
https://app.box.com/s/g3ai83ry4ep3s9odgr5nax4ozhx4mes6
This is prior to the bleachers being installed
http://www.sbballard.com/CropUp/-x525/media/1069/Central-HS-Gallery-3.jpg
My personal favorite...
Bullitt Park - Union HS
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CU603HJUsAAiltt.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CTtheJgUkAAxAVw.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/COE7YXNUkAAbJx0.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNl0LXjUEAEmgza.jpg:large
5 Star Stadium - Lee High, Lee County, VA
Could not find good pics of this one, but it is really nice too.
Cool! Appo has bermuda. I love it. Its beautiful in summer and early fall.
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