Classes started at Shades Cahaba High School on September 19, 1920 and the school has continuously served students in Homewood for the past 100 years. This project was started to record the memories of those that attended and worked at Shades Cahaba and those that just have a great story to tell.
The Book
To celebrate the centennial of Shades Cahaba, I produced 23 podcast episodes and various blog posts covering the history of the school, the community and Homewood creating it’s own school system, all of which are in this website. I used these stories and interviews to write the book Shades Cahaba: The First 100 Years which is on sale now. Hardback, paperback and Kindle versions are available at Amazon.com. A paperback version is available at Bookshop.org and an electronic version at Apple Books.
If you are a bookstore and would like to place this book in your store, it is now available to order through IngramSpark.
Episodes
Listen to the stories told by those who went to Shades Cahaba. Teachers, students, staff and parents. The school means something a little different to each person. Visit the Episodes Page for more content.
Show Host
My name is Shawn Wright and I attend Shades Cahaba Elementary from 1970 through 1974. My first year was in Mrs. Lemmon’s 2nd grade class. Both of my children have attend Shades Cahaba and my youngest “graduated” during Shades Cahaba’s 100th year. You can find out more about me at ShawnWright.net.
Blog Posts
Shades Cahaba is 100 Years Old Today!
One hundred years ago today, on September 19, 1920, Shades Cahaba High School opened its doors to the students in the Shades Cahaba School district. There were four high school grades, five teachers and 156 students. School officials invited everyone in the area to...
Shades Cahaba was Dedicated on September 6, 1920
On September 6, 1920, 100 years ago today, Shades-Cahaba High School was dedicated. The day was Labor Day, and it seemed fitting as it is unofficially known as the last day of summer, a notice to students that if they hadn't started already, they would be going back...
Happy 50th Anniversary Homewood Schools
At the end of the 1960s, Homewood was looking to start its own school system. With the support of the Mayor and City Council, the first Homewood Board of Education was established on December 22, 1969. The board took authority 50 years ago today, on July 1,...
The Underpass
I shot this video around 2010 with my new iPhone 4. The video was terrific back then. I shared it on the Facebook page “I went to Shades Cahaba when the main entrance was on Hollywood Blvd.” There was a tremendous response from Shades Cahaba alumni. I thought you might like to see the Underpass.