U.S. Jones High School History
Read below to learn more about the origin of Ulysses Simpson Jones High School and its rich history.
About Ulysses Simpson Jones
School History
Ulysses Simpson Jones was born in Tuscaloosa Alabama and later moved to Demopolis during the latter part of the 19th Century. He attended that high school division of Talladega College. Realizing that schools were established for the perpetuation of ideas and ideals of society, he set his mind upon the task of building a school for Negros in the city of Demopolis.
Despite opposition, he was able to erect a building on the present site and founded the City Public School for Negros of Demopolis Alabama in 1920. It was later renamed U. S. Jones High School. After Mr. Jones left Demopolis, four principals served: Professor R. B Hobson, 1925-1928; Professor Terry M. Patton, 1929-1938; Professor Albert J. Rowser, 1939-1965; and Mr. Braxton R. Jowers, 1965-1970. The school became recognized as one of the leading high schools in the state, having been accredited as an "A" rated high school in 1945 and each year thereafter. The school was very competitive in athletics and won championships often. The U. S. Jones Blue Devils Marching Band competed throughout the south winning "Superior Awards" in many venues. The school is now U. S. Jones Elementary School since is was closed as a high school in May of 1970.
Obituary Posting
Professor Albert Jacob Rowser - 1981
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Now, get ready for a "Take Home Test" but it is not easy. We need your help with verifying some historical facts that must be researched to find the correct answers. We will be grading on a curve since most of you have not done homework in a long time. Please reach out to former USJ classmates, friends and associates to get some "great minds working" toward finding the right answers. This is your treasure hunt so make it a fun and interesting challenge. We challenge each class grouping to strive to be the best as we were always taught at Dear Ole USJ!
USJ HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE & RESEARCH HOMEWORK
All U. S. Jones Alumni can participate in this challenge to verify with facts some of our school’s historical legacy events.
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In what year did the first U. S. Jones High School graduation occur?
2. Who is the all-time scoring leader for the U. S. Jones High School Varsity Basketball Team?
3. How and in what year was the blue devil selected as the school’s mascot?
4. Where was the first U. S. Jones football game played?
5. In what year was the U. S. Jones Marching Blue Devil Band established and who was responsible for organizing the band?
6. What was the name of the first football head coach?
7. Who donated the land to build the first City Public School for Negroes later renamed U. S. Jones High School?
8. When was the first cheerleading squad established and who was the organizer?
9. In what year was the U. S. Jones gymnasium built?
10. Who wrote the school song Dear Ole Jones High and in what year?
11. Name the various student clubs that were organized for cultivating character and camaraderie.
12. What was the largest graduating class from U.S. Jones and how many students graduated that year?
13. What is the name of the 100 Yard Dash female USJ record holder?
14. Who was the only freshman starting point guard for the USJ varsity basketball team?
* Hint - some answers are openly shared on this website. Remember, it's a Treasure Hunt! So look at the entire website and read.
Please do some research and see if you can answer the questions with written documentation. We encourage class members to come together and collaborate with each other to find the answers. This is our way of verifying historical facts and placing them prominently on the website and in our future museum. All answers must be submitted via email to lelee@comcast.net by May 31, 2021, the start of Black History Month, and backed up with written factual documentation to support the answers. The winner will be recognized on the website and presented with a USJSNAA Special Achievement Award.