In 1899, R. W. Turner and his wife, Sallie deeded approximately 1.83 acres of land to the Nashville School Board of Directors. The deed stipulated that the Directors erect a school building within two (2) years from the date of the deed and that the building be used for the education of ?“white pupils?” only. If the School Board did not comply with these stipulations, the property would revert back to the Turners or their lawful heirs.
Turner School, also know as Cole Annex was abandoned by the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Board of Education at the end of the 1988 school year. Until 1998 when the property was declared surplus, the Board of Education held the property in their coffers considering re-opening the school and utilizing the most recent addition, the ?‘cafetorium?’, built in
the early 1950's as a storage area. Whereby to date, the school board continues to house valuable school property.
The Metro Fire Department took over the property in 1998 with intentions to renovate the building for a new fire hall to better serve the growing South Nashville community. Until the renovations were complete the property would be utilized as a training center.
Meanwhile, as the building sat abandoned, vandals broke windows, vagrants found shelter from the elements and the school board continued to use the ?‘cafetorium?’ for surplus furnishings. By December 1999, nearby residents became concerned for their safety and those seeking shelter in the building. These concerns were aired on two (2) separate news broadcasts during late December 1999 and early 2000. A meeting was held with community members and members of Mayor Purcell?’s staff to discuss a course of action.
Soon thereafter, the language of the deed was discovered and the Legal Department of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County began the legal proceedings to revert the property back to the Turner heirs.
Our time is nearly exhausted. We have less than thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days to save this piece of Nashville history. Our vision for Turner School includes a myriad of community services and learning programs such as: Head Start, tutoring and GED programs, college classes, an International Center, arts and culture, senior programs, domestic violence programs, a business incubation center, a safe place for teens and the list goes on and on. Oral and written surveys indicate the community?’s interest in maintaining the building/property for these services.
A recent tour of the building revealed the building is most definitely a sound structure and in better conditioned than envisioned when looking from the outside. The roof believed to have been replaced in the 1980s, had few leaks that could be easily repaired and through the efforts of community ?“clean-up?” days and donations of materials and labor from local businesses refurbishing the building is not unattainable.
If you are interested in helping us save this piece of Nashville history, please contact Lee Miller (615) 831-2480.
Turner School, also know as Cole Annex was abandoned by the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Board of Education at the end of the 1988 school year. Until 1998 when the property was declared surplus, the Board of Education held the property in their coffers considering re-opening the school and utilizing the most recent addition, the ?‘cafetorium?’, built in
the early 1950's as a storage area. Whereby to date, the school board continues to house valuable school property.
The Metro Fire Department took over the property in 1998 with intentions to renovate the building for a new fire hall to better serve the growing South Nashville community. Until the renovations were complete the property would be utilized as a training center.
Meanwhile, as the building sat abandoned, vandals broke windows, vagrants found shelter from the elements and the school board continued to use the ?‘cafetorium?’ for surplus furnishings. By December 1999, nearby residents became concerned for their safety and those seeking shelter in the building. These concerns were aired on two (2) separate news broadcasts during late December 1999 and early 2000. A meeting was held with community members and members of Mayor Purcell?’s staff to discuss a course of action.
Soon thereafter, the language of the deed was discovered and the Legal Department of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County began the legal proceedings to revert the property back to the Turner heirs.
Our time is nearly exhausted. We have less than thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days to save this piece of Nashville history. Our vision for Turner School includes a myriad of community services and learning programs such as: Head Start, tutoring and GED programs, college classes, an International Center, arts and culture, senior programs, domestic violence programs, a business incubation center, a safe place for teens and the list goes on and on. Oral and written surveys indicate the community?’s interest in maintaining the building/property for these services.
A recent tour of the building revealed the building is most definitely a sound structure and in better conditioned than envisioned when looking from the outside. The roof believed to have been replaced in the 1980s, had few leaks that could be easily repaired and through the efforts of community ?“clean-up?” days and donations of materials and labor from local businesses refurbishing the building is not unattainable.
If you are interested in helping us save this piece of Nashville history, please contact Lee Miller (615) 831-2480.
