Difference between revisions of "Marion High School"

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The 1906 Marion High School yearbook states that public schools were operating in Marion, Indiana by 1856 (Cactus 54). This school was probably without grades and specific departments, for during the 1860's, Welford Weaver noted that the school system was partitioned into grades and a high school course work was instituted (Weaver 4). From the 1860's on, Marion High School has undergone many changes. An examination of the history of Marion High School shows that, as it developed, the school changed buildings, supported many talented students, altered its curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and sustained a dedicated faculty.
 
The 1906 Marion High School yearbook states that public schools were operating in Marion, Indiana by 1856 (Cactus 54). This school was probably without grades and specific departments, for during the 1860's, Welford Weaver noted that the school system was partitioned into grades and a high school course work was instituted (Weaver 4). From the 1860's on, Marion High School has undergone many changes. An examination of the history of Marion High School shows that, as it developed, the school changed buildings, supported many talented students, altered its curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and sustained a dedicated faculty.
  
[[image:MHS1962.jpg|MHS 1962 thumb|The most recent move was made in 1962, when MHS moved to its 26'th street location, where it still stands today.]]
 
 
==Buildings==
 
==Buildings==
 
From early frame structures to large, impressive brick buildings, Marion High School has been located on a number of different sites. Prior to the development of grade levels, the Marion public schools occupied a variety of frame and brick buildings throughout Marion, including a former Seminary building (Weaver 4). In 1879, the high school grades were moved to the Presbyterian Church building rented for this purpose. In the spring of 1882, two new grade school buildings were completed, and the high school moved into the old Seminary building previously used by the elementary grades. In 1887 or 1888, the third story of the Tharp Block (Fourth and Branson streets) was rented for additional space (Weaver 5). As the residents of Marion placed more value on secondary education, plans for the construction of a new high school building began.
 
From early frame structures to large, impressive brick buildings, Marion High School has been located on a number of different sites. Prior to the development of grade levels, the Marion public schools occupied a variety of frame and brick buildings throughout Marion, including a former Seminary building (Weaver 4). In 1879, the high school grades were moved to the Presbyterian Church building rented for this purpose. In the spring of 1882, two new grade school buildings were completed, and the high school moved into the old Seminary building previously used by the elementary grades. In 1887 or 1888, the third story of the Tharp Block (Fourth and Branson streets) was rented for additional space (Weaver 5). As the residents of Marion placed more value on secondary education, plans for the construction of a new high school building began.
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[[image:MHS1891.jpg|thumb|Marion High School's first new building, opened in 1891. It cost $65,000, and employed five teachers when it was opened.]]In September 1891, Marion High School moved into its first new school building (Weaver 5). This brick structure cost $65,000 and was outfitted with the most modern equipment available ("Marion’s"). When the school opened, it employed five teachers. Shortly afterward, two more teachers were hired, and by the fall of 1897, there were nine faculty members (Weaver 5). The school remained in this facility until 1902, when disaster struck. One Sunday evening, the beautiful school building was badly damaged by fire. It is assumed that the blaze originated in the furnace room and spread through the ventilation system, although the actual cause of the fire remains a mystery. The entire building was engulfed in flames, and all attempts by the Marion Fire Department to stop it were futile. The total loss was estimated at $80,000 ("Marion’s"). After an examination of the scene, it was discovered that many of the exterior walls were not badly damaged and could be reused. The school board quickly made plans to rebuild, while classes were held temporarily at the Odd Fellows building ("Will").  
 
[[image:MHS1891.jpg|thumb|Marion High School's first new building, opened in 1891. It cost $65,000, and employed five teachers when it was opened.]]In September 1891, Marion High School moved into its first new school building (Weaver 5). This brick structure cost $65,000 and was outfitted with the most modern equipment available ("Marion’s"). When the school opened, it employed five teachers. Shortly afterward, two more teachers were hired, and by the fall of 1897, there were nine faculty members (Weaver 5). The school remained in this facility until 1902, when disaster struck. One Sunday evening, the beautiful school building was badly damaged by fire. It is assumed that the blaze originated in the furnace room and spread through the ventilation system, although the actual cause of the fire remains a mystery. The entire building was engulfed in flames, and all attempts by the Marion Fire Department to stop it were futile. The total loss was estimated at $80,000 ("Marion’s"). After an examination of the scene, it was discovered that many of the exterior walls were not badly damaged and could be reused. The school board quickly made plans to rebuild, while classes were held temporarily at the Odd Fellows building ("Will").  
  
Only four years after the building was reopened, in 1906, another fire consumed the structure. This fire, also on a Sunday evening, completely destroyed the building, allowing none of the original structure to be reused ("City"). The building was again rebuilt, but only two years later it burned again. Unlike the other fires, this third fire was suspected to have been the result of arson, since a can of coal oil and a pile of oil-soaked shirts were found near the place where the fire started. It was suspected that someone, using the fire escape to gain access to the attic, attempted to destroy the building by igniting some rags. [[image:MHS1908fire.jpg|MHS fire thumb|In 1908, Marion's High School building was set on fire for the third time, however it was determined that this fire was caused by arson.]]This time, the firemen saved the majority of the building by confining the fire to the attic. In spite of the heavy smoke and water damage, the school’s administration decided to continue classes in the building. ("Building"). Two more times, MHS would be forced to move, however these moves were due to a rapidly expanding student body.
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Only four years after the building was reopened, in 1906, another fire consumed the structure. This fire, also on a Sunday evening, completely destroyed the building, allowing none of the original structure to be reused ("City"). The building was again rebuilt, but only two years later it burned again. Unlike the other fires, this third fire was suspected to have been the result of arson, since a can of coal oil and a pile of oil-soaked shirts were found near the place where the fire started. It was suspected that someone, using the fire escape to gain access to the attic, attempted to destroy the building by igniting some rags. [[image:MHS1908fire.jpg|thumb|In 1908, Marion's High School building was set on fire for the third time, however it was determined that this fire was caused by arson.]]This time, the firemen saved the majority of the building by confining the fire to the attic. In spite of the heavy smoke and water damage, the school’s administration decided to continue classes in the building. ("Building"). Two more times, MHS would be forced to move, however these moves were due to a rapidly expanding student body.[[image:MHS1962.jpg|MHS 1962 thumb|The most recent move was made in 1962, when MHS moved to its 26'th street location, where it still stands today.]]
  
 
==Students==
 
==Students==

Revision as of 20:28, 18 December 2006

Marion High School, located in Marion, Indiana, has a fascinating history. This site is designed to give you a glimpse into the early history of Marion High School, through photographs and text.

The Early Years

The 1906 Marion High School yearbook states that public schools were operating in Marion, Indiana by 1856 (Cactus 54). This school was probably without grades and specific departments, for during the 1860's, Welford Weaver noted that the school system was partitioned into grades and a high school course work was instituted (Weaver 4). From the 1860's on, Marion High School has undergone many changes. An examination of the history of Marion High School shows that, as it developed, the school changed buildings, supported many talented students, altered its curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and sustained a dedicated faculty.

Buildings

From early frame structures to large, impressive brick buildings, Marion High School has been located on a number of different sites. Prior to the development of grade levels, the Marion public schools occupied a variety of frame and brick buildings throughout Marion, including a former Seminary building (Weaver 4). In 1879, the high school grades were moved to the Presbyterian Church building rented for this purpose. In the spring of 1882, two new grade school buildings were completed, and the high school moved into the old Seminary building previously used by the elementary grades. In 1887 or 1888, the third story of the Tharp Block (Fourth and Branson streets) was rented for additional space (Weaver 5). As the residents of Marion placed more value on secondary education, plans for the construction of a new high school building began.

Marion High School's first new building, opened in 1891. It cost $65,000, and employed five teachers when it was opened.
In September 1891, Marion High School moved into its first new school building (Weaver 5). This brick structure cost $65,000 and was outfitted with the most modern equipment available ("Marion’s"). When the school opened, it employed five teachers. Shortly afterward, two more teachers were hired, and by the fall of 1897, there were nine faculty members (Weaver 5). The school remained in this facility until 1902, when disaster struck. One Sunday evening, the beautiful school building was badly damaged by fire. It is assumed that the blaze originated in the furnace room and spread through the ventilation system, although the actual cause of the fire remains a mystery. The entire building was engulfed in flames, and all attempts by the Marion Fire Department to stop it were futile. The total loss was estimated at $80,000 ("Marion’s"). After an examination of the scene, it was discovered that many of the exterior walls were not badly damaged and could be reused. The school board quickly made plans to rebuild, while classes were held temporarily at the Odd Fellows building ("Will"). Only four years after the building was reopened, in 1906, another fire consumed the structure. This fire, also on a Sunday evening, completely destroyed the building, allowing none of the original structure to be reused ("City"). The building was again rebuilt, but only two years later it burned again. Unlike the other fires, this third fire was suspected to have been the result of arson, since a can of coal oil and a pile of oil-soaked shirts were found near the place where the fire started. It was suspected that someone, using the fire escape to gain access to the attic, attempted to destroy the building by igniting some rags.
In 1908, Marion's High School building was set on fire for the third time, however it was determined that this fire was caused by arson.
This time, the firemen saved the majority of the building by confining the fire to the attic. In spite of the heavy smoke and water damage, the school’s administration decided to continue classes in the building. ("Building"). Two more times, MHS would be forced to move, however these moves were due to a rapidly expanding student body.The most recent move was made in 1962, when MHS moved to its 26'th street location, where it still stands today.

Students

Marion High School has produced many talented students. According to available records, the first student to graduate from Marion High School was Alice Davis, in the year 1877. Later in life, she was employed as a principal in the Marion Community Schools (Cactus 55). After this first graduation, six years passed until another student received a diploma from the school. This second graduating class of Marion High School consisted of seven members, all females (Weaver 6). By the year 1906, a total of 439 students had received diplomas from MHS. Despite the fires, enrollment at the high school had increased rapidly. Between the years 1883 and 1906, it rose from seventy-seven students to nearly four hundred (Cactus 55). One of these four hundred was Asenath Peters-Artis. Graduating in 1888, she was the first African-American student to receive a diploma from Marion High School. After graduation, she attended a normal school, became a teacher, and worked as a reporter for a Marion newspaper (Cactus 89).

Curriculum

As the number of students grew, the curriculum at Marion High School underwent great change. In 1882, A.H. Hastings, the superintendent of the school, worked hard to raise the standard of education at MHS by improving the curriculum. During August of 1882, he produced a "Course of Study and Rules and Regulations" for all high school grade levels. These were readily accepted by the school board and became Marion High School’s first detailed curriculum (Weaver 5). Students were given choices between Latin and German and between physical geography and manual arts. The honor system was typically used regarding school policies, thereby eliminating the need for a detailed system of school rules (Whitson 327). In 1889, several years before the state mandated the change, the high school course of study was extended to require four years of high school work in order to graduate (Weaver 5). By 1912, graduation requirements had become even more rigorous. In order to graduate, a student needed thirty-two credits, each credit signifying the completion of eighteen weeks in a particular subject (Whitson 327).

To enhance the curriculum, Marion High School provided the best available equipment to its students. When they studied astronomy with the assistance of a telescope rather than with books alone, students learned more and produced more (Weaver 6). In 1897, a laboratory was installed for executing science experiments and for allowing students an opportunity at "hands on" learning. According to Welford Weaver, "the excellence of the work done in the Marion High School, by teachers and pupils, is recognized throughout the State both by public school and by university men" (Weaver 6).

Activities

Many clubs, organizations, and athletic teams have been offered to the Marion High School student body over the years. In 1897, MHS students participated in S.A.C.A., S.O.D., Phi Epsilon Iota, and Pi Upsilon Nu, to name a few. S.A.C.A. was a group that promoted social and athletic sporting events and fostered football and bicycling. S.O.D. was a group of young men who studied Shakespearean literature and encouraged literary debates throughout the school. Phi Epsilon Iota and Pi Upsilon Nu were Marion High’s two Greek letter fraternities. These groups helped to keep the young women busy through social events and discussions of topics relevant to young women (Juggernaut 27-30). Marion High School has always been proud of the "Giants." In athletics, by 1906, MHS offered football, polo, boys' and girls' basketball, and track, and competed with schools such as Huntington, Kokomo, and Logansport. There was also athletic competition within the school. Different clubs would create teams and compete against other clubs (Cactus 62-79).

Faculty

As MHS grew, so did its faculty. In 1877, I.W. Legg became the first superintendent and principal of Marion High School (Cactus 54). These offices were combined until the year 1882, when A.H. Hastings became the new superintendent of schools, and Phariba White became the principal. Until 1883, the principal did all of the teaching, although he or she was helped by the superintendent. In this year, an assistant principal was hired, making two teachers in the school (Cactus 55). When the new high school building was opened in 1891, distinct departments took shape. Russell Bedgood was the principal and also taught Latin. The rest of the faculty consisted of Alva Graves, a math teacher; Minnie Tresslar, English; Herriott C. Palmer, History; and Frances Anderson, Science teacher (Weaver 5). By 1906, there were thirteen teachers in the school, with three in English, three in Latin and German, two each in Math and Science, and one each in History, Philosophy, and Art (Cactus 55).

References

"Building is Set on Fire Third Time." Marion Daily Leader. 25 Sep. 1908.

Cactus. Marion High School. 1906.

"City High School Destroyed by Fire." The Marion Chronicle. 26 Mar. 1906.

The Juggernaut High School Annual. Marion, IN: E.L. Goldthwait, 1897.

"Marion's High School Building Burns Causing a Loss of About $80,000." The Marion Chronicle. 17 Nov. 1902.

Weaver, Welford D. "School History." The Juggernaut High School Annual. Marion, IN: E.L. Goldthwait, 1897.

Whitson, Rolland Lewis, ed. Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812 to 1912. Vol. 1. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1914.

"Will be no Delay in Work on Building." The Marion Chronicle. 19 Nov. 1902.

Credits

This site was created in May, 1999 by Matthew T. Voss, a Senior at Marion High School. It was created as a semester project for Advanced Placement English 12, and for the Community History Project. All of the research was done in the Indiana History Room of the Marion, Indiana Public Library. For a complete listing of sources used, please see the works cited listing. All pictures used in the photo gallery are from picture files in the Indiana History Room.

Special thanks to the following people for their assistance with this project: Mrs. Barbara Love, Marion Public Library Mr. William Munn, Marion High School Mrs. Margaret Ross, Marion High School All of the Indiana Room Library Staff