History of T. A. Dugger Junior High

T. A. Dugger Junior High School is nestled in a well established neighborhood amid the natural beauty of lush mountains and rolling hills covered with trees. Rich in tradition yet ever changing, T. A. Dugger was originally called "City Junior High." The first Junior High principal on record was W. K. Main, 1924-1925. We respectfully look back to our heritage, because history provides a great comfort and a solid foundation that secures us firmly throughout the frequent changes presented by public education.

In August 1925, the announcement of American Bemberg and American Glanzstoff Corporations locating in Elizabethton led to a large influx of families with children to be schooled.

By April 1927, the city voted $60,000 bonds to enlarge its Junior High school building by adding 8 classrooms, shop, home economics, library, and a gym-auditorium to seat 1000.

Over-crowded conditions by 1933 saw the Junior High enrollment escalate to 900, and Elizabethton High School (in a school built to serve 250) jumped to 600 students. An announcement was made that by 1938 Elizabethton High School would be "dropped from the approved list" unless "a more commodious and suitable high school building" was constructed. Therefore, the new EHS was constructed at 306

West E Street, during 1939-1940. The school moved into the present T. A. Dugger building in August 1941.

During the 1950's, Mr. T. A. Dugger Jr. was the City Superintendent of Education. In November 1959, at the suggestion of the Junior High School faculty, Principal John Large presented the faculty's wish to the Board of Education to call the City Junior High School "The T. A. Dugger Junior High School." The School Board adopted this on January 19, 1960.

This traditional two-story brick building housed Elizabethton High School until 1974. At that time the high school moved into a new building, and Mr. Paul Pless, (the T. A. Dugger Junior High Principal), with faculty, moved about 400 students from T.A. Dugger, which was the "Old High School" on Doe Avenue, into the former high school building, 306 West E Street, which to this day is T. A. Dugger Junior High School.