Old Capshaw School

Capshaw School was founded in 1939 as part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal program. Plans were quickly set in motion to build a modest red brick building to house the school. The school would be named in honor of Robert Byrd Capshaw. Capshaw was a Warren County, Tennessee native, who had been one of Cookeville's most prominent attorneys, and was also a leader in the Broad Street church of Christ, and later helped found Dixie College (Tennessee Technological University). His grandfather was a Revolutionary War veteran. Capshaw owned hundreds of acres throughout Cookeville, and used them for farming and hunting. His heirs donated approximately thirteen acres of his farm for the school. Capshaw never got to see the school bearing his name, as he passed away in 1928. Since his passing, Capshaw's story has been forgotten.

Robert Byrd Capshaw

The building was constructed with labor from the Works Progress Administration, which was also part of the New Deal program. The school began as a first through eighth grade school, but due to the baby boom, it later became a first through fourth grade school. The original building featured a single floor, with a basement underneath. This basement historically housed the cafeteria. In the 1970s and 1980s, wings were added on the school's elevations to house the growing enrollment numbers. By the turn of the century, school enrollment had grown so significantly that school officials were looking for a way to either expand the original school, or build a new building entirely. After much research and the discovery of asbestos in the old structure, the decision was made to build a new building and raze the old structure. The new structure would be state of the art, and most importantly would fit on the school's thirteen acres. By 2002 the new school was completed and opened. Sadly the old school was razed to make way for a playground. The portico however was saved and still remains in its original location. An addition constructed in the 1970s was also saved and was attached to the new building. If the original structure was still intact today, it would almost definitely be eligible and be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Capshaw School serves as a reminder of a significant building gone to soon. But the legacy of Robert Byrd Capshaw still lives on.

The Capshaw Home is another piece of Cookeville's lost history. The home was located on Broad Street where the public library now stands. The Cookeville History Museum can be seen to the left of the home.

The original portico is the only remaining piece of the Old Capshaw School. 

In the Spring of 2017, Capshaw Principal Dr. Kim Wright and I began brainstorming ways that the history of Capshaw School, and most importantly Robert Byrd Capshaw's story could be told. We decided to apply to the Tennessee Historical Commission for an historic marker. After much time spent digging through old school yearbooks, and records of Robert Byrd Capshaw's our proposal was accepted on March 2, 2018. The maker was installed in July of 2018. On September 14, 2018 the marker was dedicated. It is our hope that the marker will help tell the story of not just the school, but the name behind it. Our hope is to one day hear from a descendent of Capshaw, so they can visit the school and see the historic marker.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.