Moore Elementary School celebrated its 60th anniversary Thursday at the school’s gymnasium in a small but special fashion.

With former teachers and students in the audience, Moore officials reflected on the school’s history, looked at current accomplishments and peeked at future endeavors.

Before cake and punch were served, however, the school recognized class members from as early as 1949 to the recent past.

One of them was John Whitner, who graduated from Moore Elementary in 1959. Whitner, who was born in the Moore neighborhood, said that aside from improvements to the school, “I still feel the same hospitality that I felt back then.”

Moore Elementary started out as Cabin Creek School, which back then was a private school for African-Americans. After it burned down, the state of Georgia took over governing the school. It was then named after the late Rev. John H. Moore, the founder of the Eighth Street Baptist Church in Griffin.

“This is a great occasion to celebrate your history,” said Griffin-Spalding County School System Superintendent Curtis Jones in his brief speech to the attendees. “It’s because of you that this school is doing all the wonderful things that it’s doing. Let’s not let this be the last time we celebrate Moore.”

Asked where she sees Moore Elementary in 10 years from now, Principal Martha Taylor said, “I believe this building will be a new building. This area will be revitalized, (and) Moore will still stand.”