GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Charles L. Coon School, one of the four high schools build with bond money. Originally, when it opened in 1923 it was named Wilson High School, but after the death of superintendent Charles L. Coon (who had been superintendent since 1907) in 1927 from throat cancer it was renamed for him. Coon was an educator of statewide renown, who is credited with making Wilson County’s consolidated county school system a model for the region.
Wilson’s commission for Wilson’s first high school, for white students, was noted in the Manufacturers’ Record (Dec. 15, 1921, Jan. 12, 1922, and Aug. 28, 1924). The red brick school has neoclassical detailing.
This is an unusually-large school building, which in the past included a full gym, swimming pool, classrooms, cafeteria and auditorium. Over time, this monument to the achievements of a rural community had been abandoned and had fallen into disrepair.
Elvis played the Charles L. Coon High School Auditorium on February 14, 1956, for two shows at 7.00 and 9.00 PM.
The last renovation included the conversion of 91,000 square feet of educational space into a community facility for elderly living, and a meeting hall and offices for use by a local non-profit group.
