Dear Alumni and other friends,

Welcome to the Fair Street-Butler High Schools Alumni Association, Inc. website. Our organization is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Fair Street and E.E. Butler High Schools, which educated African Americans in Gainesville/Hall County, Georgia, and surrounding areas during racially segregated education. The legacy of our schools transcends the schools’ physical walls; it extends into the vibrant tapestry of the Southside community. During the era of racial segregation, the Southside became a cradle of resilience and triumph. African American students, barred from the same institutions as their white counterparts, excelled in academics, theater, chorus, and athletics at their Colored schools, as called then. Unable to dine in downtown restaurants, they cultivated vibrant social lives around establishments like Maxey’s, Clearview, and Poole’s (aka Dadeos’) on Athens Street. In response to the racial restrictions on movie theaters, they built the Roxy Theater on Athens Street, providing a space for joy and cultural expression.

While not opulent, the Southside transformed into a joyful and soulful community. The Fair St.-Butler High Schools Alumni Association, Inc. commemorates not only the thriving African American business section on Athens Street and Highway but also the resilience that transformed adversity into prosperity. This celebration is not just about the past; it’s about preparing the community for a future built on strength and unity.

We appreciate your visit to our website and hope you find it informative and engaging. Please feel free to explore the site and learn more about our organization. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
John W. Harris
Class of 1965