These Trinity High School yearbooks for Trinity, Randolph County, North Carolina are free to read and download. If your ancestor attended high school during the years of 1939-1951 then these yearbooks may have photographs and information of them during their high school years.
This is part of a collection of free historical material being scanned and placed online by the Randolph County Public Library. Yearbooks provide a window into student life. From sports teams to clubs, fashions to hairstyles, these volumes document the changing attitudes and culture of students year by year.
Trinity High School
- 1939 The Trinity High Annual
- 1944 The Trinhian
- 1945 The Trinhian
- 1947 The Trinhian
- 1948 The Trinhian
- 1949 The Trinhian
- 1950 The Trinhian
- 1951 The Trinhian
History of Trinity High School
In the year 1832, Allen Frazier started teaching in what was then known as Brown’s Schoolhouse — about three-quarters of a mile from the present Trinity School Building. He taught this school until 1839, calling it Union School because it was supported by the Quakers and the Methodists. Later it was called Union Institute. Brantley York took Frazier’s place in 1839 and in that year, a new schoolhouse was begun where Trinity High School now stands. In May 1840, the new building was finished, and the children moved to it in a parade through the woods. The first commencement here was held in July 1840. On this occasion Irene Leach was among the graduates. When York resigned in 1843, she was elected assistant to the principal, Braxton Craven — later becoming Mrs. Craven.
In 1851 a large brick building, containing living quarters as well as classrooms and auditorium, was erected, and the school became a Normal College. This change was made under the leadership of Dr. Craven, who served as president for eight years. During his administration, the Quakers having decided to support their own schools, the property was taken over by the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The transfer was made in 1859, and Trinity College was established. A few years later, in 1876, when an addition was made to the building, the old part on the west side became known as “The Old College.” The new building was planned and personally supervised by Dr. Craven himself, who remained the president of Trinity College until his death in 1882.
Following his death, Rev. Marcus Wood and Rev. John Franklin Heitman exercised the duties of president until the election of Dr. John F. Crowell in 1887. In September 1892, Trinity College was moved to Durham where, as Duke University, it has become one of the leading colleges in the South.
One year before the removal of the college, a high school was established under the direction of W. T. Gannaway — both groups using the same building. Following Professor Gannaway as principals were J. F. Heitman, T. A. Smoot, George B. Pegram, John F. Kirk, R. M. Vestal, A. A. Crater, W. A. Bivins, T. J. Henry, T. J. Covington, D. C. Johnson, and T. E. Storey.
Under the leadership of Mr. Storey in 1924, the Trinity College Building was torn down and the present structure begun. While it was being erected, classes were held in various places in the community. It was completed, however, in time for commencement to be held in it in 1925. The first principal in the new building was J. T. Weaver, who was succeeded by R. D. Marsh, A. R. Bullock, and F. D. McLeod.