The Purple and Gold Collection

The Purple and Gold was a literary magazine published monthly by the students of Clarksville High School from as early as 1910 through the mid-1960s. In the earliest years of the publication, the May edition also served as a yearbook of sorts for seniors, featuring photographs of each senior and special articles dedicated to the graduating class. Special class reunion editions were also published later, with the most recent one in the collection commemorating the 60th reunion of the Clarksville High School graduating class of 1947, held in 2007.

Published monthly from October through May, regular editions of The Purple and Gold featured short stories, essays, and poems written by Clarksville High School students. One of the earliest editions of the magazine features two items from Robert Penn Warren, who attended Clarksville High School for the 1920-1921 academic year. The April 1921 edition opens with Penn’s short story “The Dream of a Driller” and also includes a short ode to the senior class, titled “Senior Creed.” Many of the regular monthly editions also feature articles on Clarksville High School sports teams and events, including stats and scores. The editions spanning 1939 through 1946 may be of particular interest to researchers as they showcase local reactions to World War II and the establishment of nearby Camp Campbell. From March 1944 through December 1945, most editions feature a section highlighting former Clarksville High School students in the military, sometimes including excerpts from letters or other stories about their experiences in the service.