Af Am Album Vol.2 -- Places

1920s Diploma

In 1923, the city opened two new high schools, Central High School on Elizabeth Ave. for white students and Second Ward High School on Alexander St. for black students.

Second Ward was the first public high school for blacks in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Before the school was built, blacks had to move to other cities to get a high school diploma or attend special classes at Johnson C. Smith University.

Elindor Belton's 1925 diploma from Charlotte Colored High School.

Second Ward was known as Charlotte Colored High School during its first few years.

1929 Drama

High school production in the Second Ward High School auditorium. Pictured here from left to right are: Robert Ballard, Charles Turner, Virginia Gullier, Willie Flemming, Edward Cornelius, Fausing Ellis, Justine Turt, Louis Alexander, James Perkins, Marget Newald and Roger McGill.

1938 Athletic Letter Certificate

John C. Smith's Letter Award certificate for football for the 1937-1938 season.

John C. Smith in 1939

1940s Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders in the 1940s. First row: Corine Funderburke, Eloise Smith, Sadie Broomfield and Klara Davis. Second row: John Richberg, Lorene Pitts, Billie Tolbert, Willie Alexander and James Payne.

1940s Female Athletes

Second Ward had intramural sports teams for both men and women.
Left to right: Dora Ramsey, Carolla Carr and Nancy Pethel.

1944 Coach Diamond and Team

Coach Diamond and 1944 team.
From left to right, front row: Robert Lee, Samuel Clinton, Herbert Thompson, Edward Roper, Venton Caldwell, James Johnson, Archibald Moseley.
Second row: William Gilliard, trainer; B. Haynes, Norman Stropshire, James Wright, Horace Maxwell, Earl Johnson, Harvey Thompson and Coach Kenneth Diamond.

1948 First Miss Queen City Classic

The Queen City Classic began in 1947. The Classic pitted long-standing rivals the West Charlotte Lions and the Second Ward Tigers against each other.
The annual event boasted its own parade, and in 1948 the first Miss Queen City Classic was crowned.
The first Miss Queen City Classic Vermelle Diamond with Principals Jefferson Grigsby of Second Ward and Clinton Blake of West Charlotte.

1949 Carver College

In 1949, Charlotte College opened a branch at Second Ward High. Carver College, as it was known, offered night classes for black veterans of World War II.

1950s Homecoming

Left to right: Willie Oliphant, Jessie Roseboro, Vic Q. Grant, Homecoming Queen Johnsie Yongue and Thomas Byrd.
Homecoming in the 1950s.

1955 Mrs. Flagg's Dolls

We didn't have much of material value then, but we tried to pass along our values to work hard, be respectful, and to get a good education. Dorothy Flagg, Second Ward teacher, planned a display of dolls from around the world to pique student's interest in other cultures. Pictured here at the school's library are Mrs. Flagg (center) with students and school counselor, Rosena Gaines.

1950s Senior Daytrip

Senior Day Trip 1950s.
Second Ward High School seniors take a Senior Day Trip to what was then A&T College in Greensboro.

1970s Demolition of Second Ward High

In Charlotte, as well as most cities in the South, integration meant all-black schools were closed, torn down, or used for different purposes. A 1967 plan called for Second Ward to be renovated and renamed Metropolitan High. However, after two years of debate, Charlotte's school board voted to close Second Ward and six other black schools. The students would be bused to previously all-white schools to achieve racial integration. In the early 70s, the building was demolished.
Students watch as Second Ward High School is demolished.

Faculty and Staff

Counselor Rosena Gaines

Assistant Principal Robert Wood

Elbert Waddell, the last principal

Librarian Dorothy Crawford

J.E. Grigsby, principal for 26 years, with queen Shirley Ashcraft

Frederick Lucius Wiley

Second Ward High Schools Principals

Mr. William H. Stinson 1923-1931. William Stinson was the first principal of Second Ward High School. In spite of limited funds and resources, he established both academic and vocational curricula. Many students credited him with helping them become successful young men and women. In the school newspaper, The Herald, students wrote, Prof. Stinson seems more like a father.

Mr. Jefferson E. Grigsby 1931-1957. For longer than anyone else, Mr. Jefferson E. Grigsby was principal at Second Ward. Under his leadership the number of students and faculty doubled. Attendance figures rose. As the World War II years came to a close, Second Ward opened at night to provide education for veterans returning home. The veterans school would later become Carver College.

Dr. Spencer E. Durante 1957- 1963. As America moved toward a time of tremendous racial and social upheaval, Dr. Durante focused on improving the school. He brought guidance counselors to the staff, worked to implement an expanded curriculum, and encouraged student achievement.

Dr. Elbert E. Waddell 1963-1969. Dr. Elbert E. Waddell led Second Ward High School until its last class graduated in 1969. Just four years before, two white teachers had come to instruct students at the black school. Plans for integrating Second Ward High School had been discussed, but when it was decided that the entire neighborhood would be torn down, the school could not be saved.

Site Marker Today

All that remains of Second Ward High School is the gymnasium, which is now part of the Metro Center. This marker was put up by the Second Ward Alumni Foundation and the City of Charlotte in 1983.

Class reunions

Classmates at the 20th reunion of the Class of 1967.
From left to right: Bruce Wright, James Miller, Isaac Miller, John Pettis, James Jones, and W.L. Pop Woodard.

Second Ward Alumni Association

The Second Ward Alumni House/Museum at 1905
Beatties Ford Road.

Second Ward School alumni Julia Sumpter, Eugene Williams, Gerson and Daisy Stroud and Shirley Manigo.

Their motto is Still Alive! The Second Ward High School National Alumni Foundation, Inc., helps citizens remember the importance of the schools, families, churches, and businesses that are part of Charlotte's African-American heritage. The Foundation's Alumni House, on Beatties Ford Road, houses a vast collection of artifacts from Second Ward. Visitors to the Alumni House can see sports trophies and photographic exhibits, read yearbooks and news clippings and learn more about an important aspect of Charlotte's history. The Foundation also supports literacy, child care and scholarship programs in the community.