Luther Judson Price
Luther Judson Price
Luther Judson Price was born April 24, 1856, in Sunnyside, Georgia, on the Tye Plantation of his owner-father, seven years prior to the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863. His mother, Angeline Price, was of English, American-Indian, and Negro extraction.
Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, he spent his boyhood on a farm in Sunnyside, Georgia, with his mother, one older sister, and stepfather. At an early age, as education became of primary importance to him, he became restive and dissatisfied with farm work and the lack of any educational opportunity. He, therefore, left the farm in his early teens, and without funds came to Atlanta on his own. He worked and paid his way through Clark University, majoring in Business, becoming one of the early graduates at the South Atlanta Institution. Within a short period following his graduation, Mr. Price established a grocery store business on property he had purchased at the corner of Jonesboro Road and Gammon Avenue. There he remained in business for fifty years.
He married Minnie Georgiana Wright, who was born February 2, 1867, in Ashville, North Carolina. The marriage took place October 3, 1889, in Atlanta. The ceremony was performed by W. P. Thirkield, D.D., President of Gammon Theological Seminary in South Atlanta. They lived for a few years in an apartment above his store until Mr. Price, his wife, and four children moved into their new home which he had built at 75 Gammon Avenue. The Prices had five children: two sons, Luther Jerome and William Harold, now deceased, and three daughters, Minnie Helen Price, Annie Mae Price O’Hara and Miriam Eloise Price Allen. Miss M. H. Price now resides in New York City, Mrs. Leon P. O’Hara in St. Louis, Missouri, and Mr. Farrow R. Allen in New York City.
On June 18, 1889, Mr. Price was appointed Post Master of South Atlanta, Fulton County, by John Wanamaker, Post Master General of the United States. Mr. Price was sworn in on June 18, 1889, and served for twenty-five years under the Presidency of Cleveland, Harrison, McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft. During this time, the post office was located in quarters in the building owned by Mr. Price on Jonesboro Road. This office served both white and Negro community of South Atlanta, and postmen of both races worked under his supervision.
Mr. Price took his rights and responsibilities equally seriously, giving and demanding respect of those with whom he came in contact. He was ethical in the highest sense, a stern but fair person who expected and demanded a great deal of himself as well as others.
Mr. Price conducted a flourishing business at the same address for many years, becoming well known and respected by men of all races and creeds, not only in his immediate community, but also throughout Atlanta and its environs. He enjoyed an extensive fraternal relationship through his active participation in church, civic and community activities. He was an active member of the South Atlanta Methodist Episcopal Church throughout his life, serving as treasurer of the church and Chairman of the Steward Board for many years, and as Superintendent of the National Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, traveling throughout the country to its National Conferences. For many years he was National Treasurer of the Masons and in this capacity also became widely known through the states. As an old line Republican, he was always actively interested in greater civil rights opportunities for Negroes.
Luther Judson Price and his wife, Minnie, worked endlessly throughout their lives in this community for its development and betterment in many areas. Especially important to them was their work, or speaking to groups, as well as door-to-door talks interpreting the importance of the ballot in an effort to stimulate and motivate people to register and exercise their voting privilege.
During the horrible nightmare of the race riot of September 1906, in Atlanta, Mr. Price was accused by white mob instigators of selling ammunition to the Negroes of South Atlanta, who defended themselves in an attack on their community. The wholesale jobbers from whom he had purchased supplies for his store for many years learned of the threat upon Mr. Price’s life. They appealed to the governor of Georgia for protection for him, but he did not grant this request until the very hour of the forming of the mob. A car with a guard was dispatched to the premises and Mr. Price was sped away, lodged in Fulton Tower, and he remained there until the situation was in hand and all such incidents had subsided.
Mr. Price died at his home on July 3, 1936, at the age of eighty. He was buried in the family plot in Southview Cemetary.
In every sense of the word, Luther Judson Price was a pioneer in time when the American Negroes’ struggle for human dignity was in its infancy. The Constitution of the United States had a real personal meaning for him, and it was a document from which he would quote appropriate passages in different situations. Mr. Price had the ability to project ideas and goals into the future far ahead of his time, especially as they related to the worth and dignity of the individual and his rights and responsibilities as spelled out by our democratic form of Government
Luther Judson Price High School, Atlanta, GA: 1954 - 1987
Luther Judson Price High School, Atlanta, GA:
Home of The Mighty Wildcats
Construction began in 1953 on Luther Judson Price High School. It cost more than one million dollars to build. During the construction of Price, the political climate of the United States was one of separation; however, economically the climate was booming. Price was built as the fifth high school for African Americans in Atlanta.
Price High School was built to ease the overcrowding of two high schools – Washington and Howard. It was originally designed for 1200 students, but had over 1350 enrolled the first year it opened. The principal geographical areas served by Price were Mechanicsville, Pittsburg, South Atlanta, Thomasville, Joyland Park, High Point and Carver Homes. The school when opened had 34 classrooms in addition to a gymnatorium and cafeteria. It was dedicated on Sunday, September 26, 1954. The school increased in size from 34 classrooms to 66 classrooms in 1959 with the addition of a new three story wing.
The first principal of Luther Judson Price High School was Mr. R.E. Cureton. He served as principal from 1954 to 1964. Academics were always of highest importance at Price High School. The band and other organizations allowed the students to succeed. Many awards were won by Price students both academically and athletically.
After the Supreme Court ruled that nine African American children would be able to attend an all-white school, students in Atlanta were given the same opportunity. Mr. Claude Weaver, a senior at Price was awarded a scholarship to attend Harvard University in 1961. This honor is very significant given the time.
A new principal came to Price High, Mr. Edwin Thompson in 1964 and a new principal in 1965, Mr. R. B. Odom. In 1965, Price’s enrollment reached 2200 students. Additionally, it served as a site for community school courses. At one point in Price High School’s history, students attended school in shifts because of the overcrowding.
The 1970s brought an economic change to the United States. In Atlanta the staff and students moved to different areas throughout the city. The enrollment of Price High School started to drop. In 1973, when bussing to desegregate schools was an issue, the parents of Price students voted to block the conversion of Price from a high school to a middle school. The parents were opposed to the change because they did not want to see their children bussed to unfamiliar schools. In 1980 Dr. Charles R. Mason became the new principal.
Luther Judson Price Middle School, Atlanta, GA: 1987 - Current
Luther Judson Price Middle School, Atlanta, GA: (1988 - Current)
Home of The Mighty Wildcats
When enrollment dropped significantly at Price High School, the decision was made to convert the school to a middle school. The High School students were transferred to Carver High School. In 1987, Price High School became a middle school.
The first principal of Price Middle School was Dr. Robert Hall. He served as principal from 1987 to 1996. Price Middle School was set up in houses – House of Stars, House of Pride and House of Oz. Students maintained the same teachers for 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
Price Middle School was in need of desperate repairs. It had no air conditioning, the plumbing was old and the building was in need of updating. Then the Department of Housing and Urban Development decided to renovate the Carver Homes area in the late 1990’s. Atlanta Public Schools decided to renovate Price Middle School.
Price moved from its original site at 1670 Capitol Avenue in June 2000 and moved to the Marshall Building at Mary Dell Drive for two years. This allowed for the cafeteria and gymnasium buildings to be renovated and the main building to be torn down and rebuilt
After two years at the Marshall Building, Price moved back to the original site. The street name changed from Capitol Avenue to Benjamin W. Bickers Drive. The school was dedicated on August 10, 2002. The new building cost fourteen million, four hundred thousand dollars. A new millennium time capsule was dropped on the property to commemorate L. J. Price’s history.
Price High School always provided an excellent educational opportunity for students to succeed academically, as well as in extra curricular activities. Price Middle School is carrying on with that tradition of excellence. Our students have won many awards including superior for our chorus, first place for our track teams and our students have traveled across the state and nation to represent our school.
Luther Judson Price believed education was important and it was the way to succeed. He would be very proud of the school named after him. It is a school with a strong, respectable past and a future filled with hope.
The first principal of Price Middle School was Dr. Robert Hall. He served as principal from 1987 to 1996. Price Middle School was set up in houses – House of Stars, House of Pride and House of Oz. Students maintained the same teachers for 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
Price Middle School was in need of desperate repairs. It had no air conditioning, the plumbing was old and the building was in need of updating. Then the Department of Housing and Urban Development decided to renovate the Carver Homes area in the late 1990’s. Atlanta Public Schools decided to renovate Price Middle School.
Price moved from its original site at 1670 Capitol Avenue in June 2000 and moved to the Marshall Building at Mary Dell Drive for two years. This allowed for the cafeteria and gymnasium buildings to be renovated and the main building to be torn down and rebuilt
After two years at the Marshall Building, Price moved back to the original site. The street name changed from Capitol Avenue to Benjamin W. Bickers Drive. The school was dedicated on August 10, 2002. The new building cost fourteen million, four hundred thousand dollars. A new millennium time capsule was dropped on the property to commemorate L. J. Price’s history.
Price High School always provided an excellent educational opportunity for students to succeed academically, as well as in extra curricular activities. Price Middle School is carrying on with that tradition of excellence. Our students have won many awards including superior for our chorus, first place for our track teams and our students have traveled across the state and nation to represent our school.
Luther Judson Price believed education was important and it was the way to succeed. He would be very proud of the school named after him. It is a school with a strong, respectable past and a future filled with hope.
Luther Judson Price Middle School, Atlanta, GA: (Main Entrance)
