The Story of Us: Walker County High School

One of the most highly influential figures in Walker County’s early history was Colonel Lycurgus Breckinridge (L.B.) Musgrove. 

Musgrove, primarily associated with the country club bearing his name, provided land to build three churches. In 1909, he donated five acres on what was then Academy Hill. That spot of land was used to build the first Walker County High School, with Daniel Harmon as principal.

Seven years later, on January 28, 1916, the school building was destroyed by fire. A family named Thornhill provided their home as a temporary location for students to meet. 

Col. Musgrove again came to the rescue, graciously donating 47 acres in honor of his mother, Elizabeth Cain Musgrove, for a new school. Local citizens contributed donations and a new three-story building was constructed for $40,000. 

When Walker County High School and Jasper Junior High merged in 1929, a wing was added at a cost of $17,500. A new auditorium, classrooms, a library, cafeteria, and athletic dressing rooms were added a year later. 

Walker County High School became the first in this county to have an indoor basketball facility.

Notable alumni include Slick Lollar, Claude Perry, and Bruce Jones, all who went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, as well as actor George Lindsey. 

Walker County High School became Walker High School in 1971. 78