By Mike Davis
For Marble Valley Friends
We chose the Historic Tate Gym to headline Tate Day this year not because it’s old, or sparkling, or fantastic…It is…But it also embodies the legacy of community that defines Tate–individuals who, working collectively, created a village, a community, and a lasting influence in the Marble Valley.
Downtown Tate near Hwy 53 East and South Station Street you’ll find the bulk of Tate Day activities, but you can experience the gym November 1 at 5600 Hwy 53 east. An anniversary lunch is scheduled between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Plates are usually reserved beforehand but there are always extras. Check at the door. The Bigun’s BBQ lunch is $12 a plate.
While in the gym you should visit the Old Fashion Cake Bake Off, buy a slice of homemade cake, and some raffle tickets at the Amicalola Garden Club booth.
The gym is a product of the Tate family’s commitment to educating the children of the community. Samuel C. Tate built the first Tate school around 1866, a one room 16 feet by 16 feet building a quarter of a mile from his home.
Another school was built around 1906-07 on Sandy Bottoms Road across the road from where the Tate House would be built.
Later, the Tate’s completed a wood frame school on the site where the Tate Elementary School is now. During that school’s tenure, in 1925, the Tate’s and the Georgia Marble Company finished the Tate Gym. We know the date by a sports report in the 1925 Tate High yearbook.
“In the beginning of the season a new gymnasium was constructed. This was a splendid affair and a building of which any town or school could be justly proud”, wrote one student.
In that inaugural season the Bulldogs won five out of ten league games, including a 9-3 drubbing of Jasper and a squeaker 4-5 loss to Nelson.
Though the gym’s original purpose fulfilled a need for activity beyond the classroom, it soon became the focal point of the entire community. Graduations, plays, music, movies, and meetings filled the gym as much as athletics.
After Col. Sam Tate’s death ownership of the school and gym was transferred to the board of education. For many years the gym served the school and community as usual, but by 1997 the gym had fallen into disrepair and was used mostly for storage.
When a group of concerned citizens learned the gym would be demolished, they formed Marble Valley Friends, Inc., bought it from the board of education, secured a state grant, and received enough donations to completely renovate the building.
It still stands today as it has for 100 years as the center of the community. Through the Marble Valley Friends rental program we experience again the warm fellowship of belonging. If you’re interested in renting the gym call 678-454-5477.
After the gym take time to tour the Tate Elementary School. It’s open from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m.- the only marble school in the country that’s still in operation.
For other Tate Day activities head toward the corner of South Station Street and Hwy 53 East. From 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. you’ll find only handmade items in the Arts & Crafts area. Early Tate life demanded you use your hands to make what you needed for everyday needs. You can find pottery, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, wreaths, soaps, pillow cases, canes and hike sticks, oak baskets, wood carvings, wind spinners, chimes, signs and much more.
Stay in Downtown Tate for the “Biggest Little Parade Around.” It begins at 10 a.m. The best place to watch the parade is at the corner of South Station Street and Hwy 53 East. No horseless carriages left in Tate, but over the years we’ve uncovered plenty of collectors willing to share their Thunderbirds, Bel Airs, Model Ts, Coups, and trucks. They’ll ride through North Station Street, North Railroad Street, New Town Street and Hwy 53 East.
Just across South Station Street from Arts & Crafts you can sign up for a visit to the Polycor Georgia Marble Quarry. The first tour leaves at 11 a.m. Other tours leave at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. For a $5 donation we’ll take you to the edge of the quarry where Polycor employees will be available to answer questions.
