The Home of The Rebels

24th Ave. E. at Pecan St.

Some of the photos and facts were taken from "CRISP COUNTY-A PICTORIAL HISTORY", a fine publication of the "CORDELE DISPATCH". Those photos were, thankfully, provided by numerous residents of Crisp County.  As well, some photos and facts were taken from a Bicentennial booklet about Crisp County and Cordele compiled by Miss Patti Smith in 1976 and a 100th Anniversary booklet of Cordele compiled by Herbert Hughes in 1989. Some stuff I knew all by myself and don't remember where I learned it. 

When you are disapointed and wish to return to youth, think of Algebra. Will Rogers.

One evening, during the 1954-1955 school year, the sky over Cordele turned red. You could hear a lot of sirens and people were heading toward the red. Walking, riding bikes or driving cars. 

O'Neal Elementary was burning to the ground. Fire departments from surounding counties joined ours but when the flames were extingushed it was all gone.

I remember standing, with my good buddy, classmate and neighbor, near the building and facing our 5th grade classroom.  The flames were coming out of the windows. We were talking about how hot the heat was getting and, just as were about to, some of the older folks told us we should get way back. 

That day, in school, I had borrowed my pal's brand new ball point pen. When school was out for the day I left it on my desk. That was a really nice pen. It wrote real good. It WAS a really nice pen. 

Back then you didn't have to worry too much about someone stealing stuff off your desk. You didn't have to worry too much about your school burning down either.

J.R. was a little mad at me for not giving his pen back before school was out because he would have taken it home and he would still have his really nice pen. He didn't stay mad long though because we were pretty good buddies. Besides, we had a few days off from school and plenty of stuff to do. 

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