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Enlarge Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Tuggle Elementary School are held Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 in Birmingham, Ala. On Sept. 3, 1903 Carrie A. Tuggle, who worked with delinquent boys and as a welfare officer, opened a school and home for homeless black boys. In 1926 Tuggle Institute became affiliated with the Birmingham City Public Schools, and in 1934 the City Board of Education purchased the Institute and named it Enon Ridge School. In 1936 the name was changed to Tuggle Elementary School by the Board of Education. Tuggle was consolidated with Hill Elementary School this year so the old school could be demolished to make way for the new building. When complete the new school will have approximately 70,000 square feet of floor space and will accommodate 500 students. Mrs. Tuggle, who died in 1924, is buried on the site. Carrie Tuggle's grave is in front of the old school site. Construction work is seen at rear. (Birmingham News Photo / Jeff Roberts Tuggle Elementary School Groundbreaking gallery (7 photos) 
"It's exciting," said 90-year-old Mattie Scott, who is believed to be the oldest living former student and faculty member from the old school.
A groundbreaking ceremony, which included Birmingham school administrators and elected officials, was held at Old Sardis Baptist Church. After the ceremony, Scott and many former students and teachers walked across the road to the site where the old school is being demolished to symbolically turn some dirt for the beginning of the construction project.
Students at Tuggle began attending Brunetta C. Hill Elementary School this year. Once the new school is completed in 2012, all the students will transfer over to the new Tuggle Elementary. The project is part of a program to close and consolidate schools in Birmingham.
"It means a commitment that all facilities are high quality for teaching and learning in the 21st Century and carry on the legacy of Carrie Tuggle at the same time," Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said.
Tuggle school has its beginning from a welfare worker, Carrie A. Tuggle, who opened the Tuggle Institute, an orphanage for young black people in the Enon Ridge community of Birmingham. When she died in 1924 she was buried on the campus.
Tuggle's grave will continue to remain within a small fenced area at the new school.
| Tuggle Elementary School Groundbreaking |
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