The Stonewall Institute, a school privately owned by a group of Munford citizens, was established at the close of the Civil War. The building was a one-room structure located on a barren spot. It was 30 feet by 60 feet. On one side was the door, and on the opposite side, two windows for admitting both air and light. there were no glass windows. Planks were nailed along the walls making shelves, which were used for desks. There was a stage across the western end of the room.

A fireplace was first used for heat. Later, an unjacketed stove was placed in the center of the room. In either case, those children nearest the fire were too warm, and those farthest away never did get warm. Drinking water was obtained first from the neighbor’s well and later from the school well; all the children dipping the dipper in the one school pail. Needless to say, toilet facilities were extremely primitive – an enclosed structure outside the school house. This was later replaced by a dry-privy.

The school term was only a few months long because the children were needed to help with the various farm and home chores, especially if they lived any significant distance away. There were few textbooks, and these were the Bible, a dictionary and a Blue-back Speller.

The name of the school was later changed to Munford Academy. It also became a boarding school, serving students from both Georgia and Alabama. Folding doors were installed, more windows put in, and glass replaced old-type window shutters. Five rooms were added to provide more classrooms and living quarters for students and the principal. Professor Andrew McDonald was the first principal to come to the Academy. He taught from 1868 to 1871.

In 1872, Professor Samuel Y. Cater moved his family to Munford and accepted the duties of the principal of the Academy. Mrs. C.A. Price followed Mr. Cater. The enrollment had increased, making it necessary to secure another teacher.

Since the salary was by subscription and therefore depending wholly on enrollment, the principal made a special canvass for students. The fee per student was $2 and $2.50, depending on the subjects studied, which were mainly from the Blue-Back Speller and the McGuffey’s Readers.

Miss Ludie Camp, at the age of 15, left the school in Talladega and came to Munford to assist Mrs. Price, her aunt, in the academy. She taught two years and married. Her marriage, however, did not interfere with her career. She continued teaching in and around Munford for 49 years. She taught music most of these years.

Among the teachers following Mrs. Price and Miss Ludie were professors Grogan, Little, Long, and Miss Toland

The enrollment had gradually decreased until in 1908, there were only 23 children on roll. Mr. Nathan Camp moved to Munford and enrolled five, bringing the enrollment to 28. Suddenly children came from all directions, making it necessary to in crease the faculty. Therefore, after quite some effort, the trustees hired Professor Mark Linder and his wife for $75 a month. Mr. Williams, County Superintendent of Education, after much persuasion, agreed to pay an additional $60 for the couple per month. The trustees provided the supplement in salary

When the Alabama State Department of Education was organized, the Academy became a state-supported school. Mr. J.C. Williams, superintendent, assumed the responsibility of teacher’s salaries.

Under the guidance of Professor and Mrs. Linder, the school made outstanding progress and grew by leaps and bounds. Miss Joy Mathes became the Linder’s assistant. The enrollment continued to grow until it became necessary to have a larger building. the state contributed no money, but that was not an obstacle for Munford’s citizens. First, two of the trustees paid the Hansard Estate $800 for the present site of the school. Then, in the summer of 1919, the people of Munford saw a vision of a bigger and better school than the three-teacher facility which, at that time, provided the educational environment of their children.

They felt that schools should be build with funds raised by private subscription and selected a committee composed of the most enterprising citizens of the community to make a canvass and collect funds. The men soon had collected a sufficient amount to justify a beginning, and the contract was let. the new building was to contain six standard classrooms and an auditorium and principal’s office. The auditorium was upstairs and is now used as the high school library. To many who were familiar with the little three-teacher school of the village, this building seemed far too large for the needs of the present generation, but, noble souls that they were, they quietly acquiesced on the theory that they were building for the future – build it and they will come.

Before the completion of the building, the committee was brought face to face with the need of more money. Where could this extra money be found? The community had given to the limit, and further canvass seemed hopeless when everyone suggested that a 3-mil local tax would furnish the needed funds. The district was created, and the election called. the county had levied for five years, two of which had already passed, thus leaving only three years left for the term of the local levy. The election was held and carried almost unanimously. the tax was hypothecated, funds were borrowed and the building completed.

Two trucks were provided for the transportation of those children of the district who wanted to attend the new school. One school’s students were transported to the new school, but the other patrons of the district were not eager to make the change and preferred to keep their little one-teacher schools.

At the beginning of the second year, other citizens of the district wished to get the benefits of the well-organized school, and another truc was necessary to meet their demands. by the end of the second year, others wanted to come to Munford. And thosw who had thought they were “building for the future” saw the large building from 1919 taxed to overflowing. It had to be enlarged. Howe could the funds be secured for the addition? the county tax was expiring and must be renewed before the district tax could be levied. Munford had learned the trick of building by taxation, but could not use the trick at that time. The county tax must be renewed by popular vote, but Munford could not wait for the tedious process of two elections while the children were without school facilities. Again, hope and supreme confidence came to their relief, and 20 men made a personal note, borrowed $10,000, placed it in the hands of the county superintendent of education, selected a building committee, and proceeded to enlarge the original school facility. This money was borrowed with the understanding that as soon as the county re-levied its 3-mil tax, a district tax would be re-established by popular vote to take care of the new loan. the county relevied its tax for 20 years, and Munford District followed suit without a dissenting vote.

The addition was completed in 1922, furnishing four more rooms, among with was a Home Economics Department. Steam heat was installed throughout the building and these enterprising people set about to find other tasks to perform. A water supply was needed for the school, and why could this supply not serve the town of Munford, too? A well was drilled, a concrete tank holding thousands of gallons of water was erected, an electric pumping plan installed, and the job was done.

Many improvements have been made since that time. A new and larger auditorium was built in 1934. A new and larger auditorium was built in 1934. In 1942, the left wing was added, providing elementary classrooms, a lunch room, music room, library and a gymnasium in the area where the school’s clay outdoor basketball courts were and had been used since 1928. The basketball team of 1928 was instrumental in selecting the mascot for the school – the Munford Lions. this new facility move the sports activities, particularly basketball, to modern facilities comparable to many other up-and-coming schools that could travel by train to compete in regulation games.

With the completion of Alabama 21 and travel between Munford and nearby towns of Talladega, Oxford and Anniston, sports competitions could expand to team participation with larger numbers in sports activities like football. In 1950, the football field behind the school was graded, seats provided, and the field lighted. In 1952, a band director was added to the teaching staff, and now Munford would begin growth in its marching and concert band. The agriculture building, with all modern equipment, was build in 1949. In 1960, a house, owned by Mrs. J.O. Steele, was acquired by the school, and a modern Home Economic Department utilized that building until it moved into the modern school facilities.

In 1958, the football field was relocated on grounds purchased by the county and donated by local citizens. This football field was financed and completed through the efforts of the Munford High School Athletics Association, a group of local citizens who worked industriously. The field would seat more than 2,000 people and was considered on of the best in the county.

Nineteen sixty three was a year of remarkable advancement in school facilities. During this year, the new gymnasium-auditorium was built. As a result, the lunchroom was moved to the old auditorium, and the previous lunchroom was converted into two classrooms. The administration offices were also enlarged.

Another year of considerable change in in 1966. An new band room was erected in February due to the strong leadership and guidance of Mr. Bill Barker and new concrete bleachers, with a seating capacity of 1,500 on the home-team side of the field were built at the football field. These seats were also sponsored by the Munford High School Athletic Association. Not long after the seats were erected, the group disbanded and the school assumed the responsibility for paying for the stands.

In 1967, the halls in the main building were remodeled. In 1970, three rooms in the left wing were paneled and new floor tile installed. In 1972, the Munford Quarterback Club re-lit the football field with quartz light fixtures. Also, a new dressing facility was erected at the football field. The field was dedicated and renamed Holcombe Field in honor of Joseph B. Holcombe, a dedicated teacher, coach and administrator.

A baseball field was graded and lights erected in 1973. This field is partially enclosed with fencing, and it is used by the high school baseball team, Little League, and the community softball league. The fencing is of the same type as that which was erected around the school campus during the spring of 1973. the library was also relocated on the north side of the main building, and the old library was renovated into an audio-visual room. That year also saw the gymnasium completely renovated with a new roof, interior paint, and new hardwood for the stage.

In 1974, the chemistry and biology laboratories were completely remodeled, including paneling and lab equipment. the complete cost of the project was approximately $20,000. New window fixtures were also installed in the original section of the school building at an additional cost of $20,000. Two other classrooms in this same section were completely remodeled.

The old school today stands idle with the opening of the brand new facility, but memories there will dwell in the community’s heart forever.