GIA Heritage
Tracing the history of the Georgia Interscholastic Association
CHATHAM COUNTY

Beach

Location: Savannah
Dates: 1867-
Named for: Alfred E. Beach
Post-GIA: Remains Beach High School
Historical Average Daily Attendance:

  • 1959-60: 1,082
  • 1966-68: 1,065
Notes: In the 1930s and 1940s, BHS was often referred to as Cuyler-Beach or Beach-Cuyler. Beach jumped to the GHSA in 1966 and made an immediate splash. Indeed, their smashing of South Fulton in the 1967 Class AAA boys' basketball finals caused the Atlanta papers to declare, "Is Negro Domination Near?" in a headline. GHSA fans, coaches, and media were now aware that the GIA's athletes were in no way inferior. Back in the GIA, the boys of Beach captured state basketball titles in 1953, 1963, 1964, and 1965.
Further reading:

Haven Home

Location: Savannah
Dates:
Named for:
Post-GIA: Demolished. Bartlett Middle is on that parcel of land.
Historical Average Daily Attendance:

  • None available
Notes: Played football.
Further reading:

Johnson

Location: Savannah
Dates: 1959-
Named for: Sol C. Johnson
Post-GIA: Remains Johnson High School
Historical Average Daily Attendance:

  • 1966-68: 752
Notes: Johnson was originally Powell Laboratory. They won no state football or basketball titles in the GIA, but adapted quickly to the GHSA and took the boys' basketball crown in 1968.
Further reading:

St. Pius X

Location: Savannah
Dates:
Named for:
Post-GIA:
Historical Average Daily Attendance:

  • 1959-60:
  • 1966-68:
Notes: As St. Pius X was a private school, no attendance figures were ever listed. SPX won the state Class A boys' crown in 1964. They jumped to the GHSA and members from 1966-1971.
Further reading:

Tompkins

Location: Savannah
Dates: 1957-1989
Named for: Sophronia M. Tompkins
Post-GIA:
Historical Average Daily Attendance:

  • 1959-60: 707
  • 1966-68: 1,066
Notes: Previously known as Woodville. Runner-up in 1962 football championship.
Further reading:

Woodville

Location: Savannah
Dates: -1957
Named for:
Post-GIA:
Historical Average Daily Attendance:

  • None available
Notes: Changed name to Tompkins.
Further reading: