Wednesday, 10/04/06

Key to Isaac Litton High School's fame was its people

I know it had some outstanding athletic teams and the famous "Marching 100 Plus" band for many years. — Richard S. Briggs, Hendersonville

From its temporary start in the basement of Inglewood Methodist Church in 1930, Isaac Litton School grew 24 years later into Nashville's largest public school and became perhaps its best known nationally.

The snazzy Litton band took its Spanish-influenced tempo to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, to the Tournament of Roses Parade in California and to spots in between for a range of events including baseball openings and the Cotton Carnival.

Even local premieres of films at Nashville's downtown movie palaces were often ushered in by the band.

"Cleopatra" starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in 1963 at the Crescent on Church Street (site of today's Viridian high-rise) and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 1959 with native Nashvillian Pat Boone at the Paramount followed the band's first movie performance outside the theater showing "Halls of Montezuma" in 1951.

But the key to Litton's fame was its people.

There was student Janice Hamrick, who named the band "The Marching 100" in a 1954 contest.

There was band director Sammy V. Swor Sr., who nurtured it to prominence from 35 players, half of them beginners, when he first filled the role in 1948. Hundreds of band fans and supporters honored Swor, who died five years ago, with the gift of a car in 1964.

And academically, there were teachers like Mary Virginia King Gee. She began at Litton when it opened in 1930, got special permission to stay on in 1937 when she married (old rules banned any but single women from the profession) and retired 27 years later in 1957.

Gee's English and Latin classes weren't her only Litton contributions. She also sponsored forensics; the school paper, The Blast, from its inception; and the yearbook for 14 years.

Just last year, at age 99, she presented her annual poetry salute to the school at a reunion of former students, one of them recalled this week.

"I was a little mischievous," said Bill Foresyth of Mt. Juliet, a graduate of the Class of 1938 and a BellSouth retiree. "The other teachers would kick me out of class. She would just stop and look at me, and I wouldn't say another word."

Litton's football team, the red-and-blue Lions, reached a peak under Coach Bob Cummings in the late 1940s and early '50s. The 1953 season-ender against DuPont High led to the long-running Clinic Bowl at Vanderbilt University.

The school got its name from Isaac Litton (1812-1894), the Dublin-born grandfather of Edwin Litton Hickman (1875-1956), Davidson County judge for 32 years until his 1950 retirement and known as the father of the modern Tennessee State Fair.

The school's namesake arrived in Nashville as a child in 1819 and built his fortune through lumber and insurance businesses. His plantation was on the east side of Gallatin Pike, near the present East YMCA, according to a profile compiled by Debie Cox with the Metro Archives.

The school grew from the county's 1929 purchase of 11.1 acres on Gallatin Pike. Until construction was completed for the opening Oct. 25, 1930, initial classes were held in the basement of Inglewood Methodist Church.

By 1944, enrollment was 735 students. A junior high school fronting on Hedgewood Avenue was added in 1954.

The new six-year institution had 1,738 pupils and was labeled "by far the largest public school in Nashville." The four-year high school alone had 1,100 students in 1953.

The high school's closing came in 1971 with a federal court-ordered plan to effectively desegregate Nashville's school system. The junior high continued, its band becoming one of few in that age group marching regularly at football games.

The high school stood boarded up and largely neglected for years. The building was demolished in November 1993. •

Someone ask about Miss Moss' first name. Her name was Mary Nell Moss. She was my homeroom teacher. I could sign her name as good or better than she could on the excuse forms. She was a great lady. Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:31 am Joined: 04 Oct 2006 PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject: GO LIONS!: I'm a member of the Litton class of '65 and was in the Marching 100-Plus. I was a colorguard and played the clarinet and oboe. It was a wonderful experience. The Memphis Cotton Carnival, Miami Beach Lions' Club Convention, the Rose Bowl, the Macy's Parade, and all the movie openings! Those years at Litton remind me a little of the "Camelot" years of the Kennedy administration. I also want to mention Louise Combs, Ruth Davis, Miss Moss (did anyone know her first name?) and Annie Ruth Stroud. The present achievements of Litton's graduates are a testimony to the outstanding faculty and community we once had. We recently had our class's 40th reunion and at least 10% of the class members had been teachers. Could there be a greater tribute to our school? I just wish my children could have the same sort of memories. shehane64, edstewart Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:47 pmJoined: 04 Oct 2006 PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject: Litton's people: Another thing that made Litton famous--the huge pictorial spread in LIFE Magazine when football player Jack Ray was tackled and fell into the band section. It made the "Miscelany" section of that national publication. Among the people from Litton that I recall: Bobby Jarrett, played sax in the Marching 100+ (we used to try to see him marching in the Macy's parade and all the others that were televised), Joe Huffines--a semi-regular on "The 5 O'clock Hop", Pete Epps--a good friend and mentor, Rob Johnson--a real brain, Jimmy King--Mr. Science at Litton, David Elliott--small, but a real scrapper on the football field. Thanks for this fine article and a chance to remember some of the Great People of Isaac Litton High from the 60's. shehane64 Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Location: Arizona. PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject: Litton: I was one of those students "forced" to go to Litton for junior high. I started Stratford in 7th grade then in fall 1971 sent to Litton. Litton and Stratford were rivals and to be sent there was a real sore subject for us Spartans. Included was the fact that people from Maplewood were going there as well. I refused to be in the band, thinking that would "teach" the school board. The band director, Mr. Wade begged and bribed me but I would not budge. I finally grew to like the school and became involved, even becoming the Litton Lion in 9th grade. The building seemed really old and once a friend and I were at our locker and someones leg went through the floor showering us with insulation. I was always nervous in the lunchroom, fearing the top floor would come down but we had some fun food fights there. The gym was also scary because we were concerned we would "cheer" the floor down as well. There were always rumors of fights between black and whites on the football field but they never came to pass. I was glad to go back to Stratford to graduate but missed the old buildings and the traditions they stood for. And nothing like an ice cream at the little shop, I believe it was the Lions Den, next door after a game! Next to Sir Pizza that was the best. beduby USCITIZENVETERAN: Joined: 08 Sep 2006. PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:07 am Post subject: Litton High School: And as well as the names already mentioned, let's not forget another 1 that may not be remembered as easily. A janitor and an old family friend, Oley Jackson. He and his family actually lived in a house on the school property behind the school. His kids went to school there. I can remember visiting them there and you could drive under/between a portion of the school to get to the rear of the building where they lived. Memories are a wonderful thing sometimes. Very Happy ARAGOOD Joined: 04 Oct 2006 PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject: Litton High School: My mom went to Litton High of course when I got there it was a middle school. I remember when they tore down the high school I was at dance class down the street and I walked over and got my mom a piece of the wall. The first song I ever remember being taught was the fight song. "Litton High forever, our boys today, are eager for battle ready for the fight there is no doubt about it...everyone is loyal, brave, sincere and true Rah, Rah, Rah cheers for our boys today the RED and BLUE....... I was the only child in the middle school who knew that song. I sang it for Mr. Pearson who taught my music class. In the past he also taught my mom, dad, two brothers, and my sisters. May he rest in peace. I recall when the High School was said to have asbestos. (sorry if I misspelled that) My mom and brothers and I went into the school and my mom got her senior class picture. It was HUGE!!!! She has it restored and took it to her 25 year reunion. That was the class of 1964. My dads was the class of 1962. I know almost everyone my mom went to school with. She has the album of the Marching One Hundred Plus where my uncle was a trumpet player. All my life I have heard the stories about the pride they had in their school. That is our downfall today. See by the time I was in High School there was forced bussing and the idea of neighborhood schools was a distant memory. I went to Stratford and hated every minute of it. There was no school pride and the band was a true joke. I never learned the school song and who knows if they had a fight song. Students are no longer taught pride and there is no feeling of togetherness. I could care less if I ever had a reunion but I help mom with hers everytime if needed. We have Litton Pride....that was instilled in to me from the time I was born. I was aware of every teacher I had that also taught my parents. It was great. Coach Care, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Hooper they were good to me and I respected them then and now. Schools changed when they forced the neighborhoods to go to schools that were 20 miles out of the way. The students changed because they were not taught respect and pride. You take God, the flag, and fellowship out of the schools and todays school system is what you get. Congradulations School Board for a JOB WELL done. Our kids are killing each other instead of supporting each other. Kristi Alexander, daughter of Linda Hutcherson C/O "64" Joined: 15 Sep 2006 PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:37 am Post subject: ISAAC LITON HS: I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE HAVE NOT BEEN MORE POSTS TO THIS COLUMN FROM LITTON GRADS. I APPRECIATE COLUMN. I AM 1954 GRAD OF ILHS. GO LIONS. RALPH ALLEN Rolling Eyes kristilynne74