Staff Writer

R.E. Lee will always be more than just a school. It was, and remains a tradition. To know the Rebel Yell and to bleed black and gold then you must be Proud to be from R.E. Lee.

Dr. Ed Cliburn, author of the book that documents the history of the local institution, was on hand Thursday evening to take part in a special presentation.

Historic photographs of the school over the years were unveiled last night in the foyer of the Thomaston-Upson Government Complex, which at one time housed the classrooms that educated some of the brightest minds in the community.

While serving as Mayor, Cliburn had the vision of restoring the photographs to honor the school. City Council member Ed Bell found artist Frank Tarpley and the three recently got together with the Upson Historical Society and Archivist Penny Cliff to put on the event.

It was a brief program, where Cliff recognized the three gentleman for being true leaders.

“The reason that this building continues today, albeit, in a different capacity than its beginnings, is because of leadership,” Cliff said. “Dr. Ed Cliburn and Council member Ed Bell are leaders with both vision and conviction.

“Mr. Tarpley is an artist, a photographer, a man whose eye and abilities captures the vision.”

Tarpley took the images and enlarged them to 11 by 14 prints. They will now be on display for all to view. For those interested, they can be purchased at the Archives and Tarpley said the images can be done in 8 by 10 as well.

Cliburn said the second phase of the photo project is soon to come. Cliburn is working with Joe White on restoring photographs of African-American educators that will be on display in the Drake Building.

After Cliburn gave a brief history of R.E. Lee, people stood in line to have copies of his book signed. Nearly 40 people turned out for the program including Barbara Tarpley, Frank Tarpley's wife.

She educated her husband about the school. A graduate in the class of 1958, she is fond of her days at R.E. Lee.

“We had great teachers,” she said, when asked what her greatest memory was. “I think it's great that Ed Bell and Dr. Cliburn have done this for the community. It's a great way to remember the history.”

The history of R.E. Lee is sure to be never forgotten. Cliburn said citizens pulling together to rebuild the school after two fires is a testament to what the institution meant.

Cliff said the Upson Historical Society is working in conjunction with local officials to place a historic marker to commemorate the school.

It wasn't just the pep rallies, parades, teachers, students...that would make it too simple. It was a community coming together to hold up one long standing tradition. An institute from a small town that matched up with those in Macon, Atlanta, Columbus and Savannah was much more than the people inside the four walls. It took a community's support to keep it thriving then and now.

“This school was the heartbeat of Thomaston and Upson County,” Cliburn said. “The whole town was wrapped around it.”

As Upson-Lee works to build a history, generations can look back and see those who came before them. They too can be proud to be apart of the history of R.E. Lee.