Trussville Historical Society places marker in front of Cahaba Elementary School

By Donnette Plant, Special to The Trussville Tribune

TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville Historical Society works to ensure the preservation of Trussville’s rich history by collecting and preserving articles, photos, stories and memorabilia.

We also are beginning to place historical markers around the city so that people can read about our historical events and landmarks and know a little bit about our rich history. We are excited that our first marker has been placed in front of the newly renovated Cahaba Elementary School, located on Parkway Drive.

photo by Donnette Plant

To most Trussville natives, they knew the school as either Hewitt High School or Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. It was named for Dr. Robert Green Hewitt, one of the early educators in Trussville. It was built by the Federal Government as part of the Cahaba Project, and construction on the new school began in September of 1937, at a projected cost of $310,680.72. It was completed in the summer of 1938. The first class enrolled in this new high school in September of 1938 and graduated in May of 1939.

It closed as a high school in December of 1983 and re-opened in September of 1984 as Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. It closed December of 2007 and re-opened in August of 2016 as Cahaba Elementary School, grades K-5. These markers are the first time we are able to use our own seal, which was created by Jane Alexander and Alexander Plant. The markers cost us around $2,300.00 each.

We are a 501C organization and raise most of our funds from the Everything Christmas craft show at the Trussville Civic Center, which is scheduled this year for Friday, November 18 from 9a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free, so make plans to come do some Christmas shopping while supporting a great cause.