The time has come to rename Woolco Drive.
Located on the east side of Marietta, Woolco Drive was named after a mid-20th century department store that the road passed next to. The same building is now a Burlington Coat Factory store – and has been for about 30 years.
To its credit, this Woolco store was a pretty big deal in its heyday. Its 1969 grand opening attracted delighted denizens from near and far (as shown above). I even have a few fuzzy childhood memories of its more-expensive-than-Woolworth’s splendor.
Nonetheless, instead of memorializing a department store of the distant past, the road’s name would be much better served honoring Marietta’s pioneer of public education: Steadman Vincent Sanford
Sanford began his renowned teaching career at the Marietta Male Academy and in 1892 became the first principal of Marietta High School. In 1897, he became Superintendent of Marietta Schools, a position he held for six years.
In 1903, Sanford began teaching at the University of Georgia and founded the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism in 1921, ultimately serving as its dean. He became university president in 1932 and three years later was appointed to chancellor of the University System of Georgia, serving until his death in 1945. Sanford and many members of his family are buried in the Marietta City Cemetery.
In addition to education, Sanford had a keen interest in collegiate and University of Georgia athletics. He served as faculty chairman of UGA’s upstart athletic association and was founding president of the Southern Conference – predecessor of the Southeastern Conference. During the 1920s, he conceptualized and spearheaded the effort to build a modern football stadium on campus, culminating in the 1929 opening of Sanford Stadium, named in his honor.
It is time for Marietta to honor him as well with “Sanford Street.”
