From The Tribune staff reports
PINSON — The historic Pinson Rock School celebrates its 100th year. Pinson Public Library, The City of Pinson, and the Pinson Historical Society invite everyone to the Rock School Centennial Celebration on August 13, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Classes were first held in the Rock School in 1922. The renovated campus is now the home of Pinson Public Library and other city services. The celebration will feature historical presentations, a play area for children, a photo booth, a 1922-themed penny “school store,” trivia games, and more fun for all ages.
Related Story: Pinson Historical Society seeks photos, historical documents concerning foundation of Rock School
Pinson Rock School was constructed in 1921-1922 by the members of the area who wanted a larger building for their students. Adults and children participated in the school’s construction, with adults offering monetary donations, supplies donations, or skills to build the new school. For months, children were tasked with retrieving field stones (also known as chert rocks) to bring to the site of the school for the construction of the walls.
“A lot of people think the rocks are just a façade for the building, but the outside walls of the original school are literally 12 to 18 inches of rocks held together with mortar,” Allison Scanlan, Director of the Pinson Public Library, said.
The building had several annexes and expansions over the next 60 years to accommodate the Pinson area’s growing population. Several other schools were opened in the area, but the Rock School remained available as a daycare and later as a church. The building fell into disrepair over the years, and the Jefferson County Board of Education voted to demolish the building, but residents of the community fought to keep the building and won.
The City of Pinson purchased the property in 2013, and it was renovated from 2017-2018 to become the new home of Pinson Public Library as well as other city services. The library opened inside The Rock School Complex on January 13, 2019. The Rock School continues to serve at the heart of the Pinson community and is a focal point for the area.
Since the school was originally constructed by people in the area, there are strong family bonds and pride associated with the building.
“We love to hear stories about the families who contributed to the construction of the Rock School. We often hear from patrons that their family members were chosen as children to help bring rocks to the site. It is interesting that sometimes the children were chosen as a reward for good behavior or punishment for bad behavior,” Scanlan said. “A lot of people have so many memories inside this building. We are so happy to honor those memories and help our community create more memories here.”