J. D. THOMPSON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOMES YOU

ABOUT

Coosa County Training School/JD Thompson High School Alumni Association is here to preserve the great heritage of the Coosa County Training School and JD Thompson High School. The schools were an integral part of the community benefitting Cottage Grove, Rockford, and surrounding areas. The Coosa County Training School opened in 1899 and was located at Cottage Grove, Alabama. The Coosa County Training School was the first county training school in the state of Alabama and in the South. Unfortunately, the original structure burned in 1919.  The elementary school building, seen standing today, was built in the vicinity of the original buildings founded by John R. Savage.

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In 2003, the Alabama Historical Commission listed Coosa County Training School on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. The elementary building is a Rosenwald School built with funding provided by Julius Rosenwald, then CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Company. There were many Southern schools such as philanthropic support from John F. Slater and the Rockefellers.