S. M. Varnedoe was administrator of a ten-grade private school. The Valdosta Institute, 1885 - 70. Famous among its students was J. H. "Doc" Holiday. The Masong and several churches also used the institute as a meeting place. After the purchase in 1885, of the property from the Wells Estate. A new brick building was constructed. In 1895 the Valdosta Institute became a public school. The brick building continued to house sections of the public school until it was razes in 1958.
The Valdosta Town Committee, 1983
Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.
Original page, with additional info, here.
Photo credit: Byron Hooks of Lat34North.com.