Ada High School - Cougar Yearbook (Ada, OK)

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BOARD O JACK FENTEM Member MILLARD LAWSON Member RUTH COLLINS Clerk F EDLICATIO W4 ,W .veto 6 A07 oo, V foe p I' CHARLES THOMPSON Treasurer

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EARLY HISTORY OF THE ADA SCHOOLS In 1890, the Daggs brothers, J. M. and J. B., brought their families to what is now Ada, and built their homes in the southwest part of the city near the cement plant. Coming with them was Jeff Reed, who is credited with being the founder of Ada, who liked the place so well that he brought his family too. He built a store in the northwest part of what was to be Ada, and 1893, the post office was established. The first school was opened 1892 in a 20' by 30' log structure located in the northeast corner of the old cemetery at Second and Hickory. John Crowley was the first teacher. ln 1896, the school was replaced by a two story build- ing. When the town moved to the new townsite in 1900, the only schools in new town were one room subscription affairs. Miss Villa Wilson opened the first school on a lot at Fifteenth and Broadway. Another in the 100 block on East Fifteenth was taught by Professor Wilson. Miss Grace Smith opened one on East Sixteenth, Mrs. Dicey Sinclair taught a private school at Twelfth and Town- send and A. B. Curtis taught high school grades at the old building. ln 1901, a two-story frame structure located on the site of the present high school building was opened as a private boarding school run by J. J. Scarborough. This was purchased by the city in 1902 and Scarborough became the first superin- tendent and principal. In 1907 the first class, seven, was graduated. East Central State College Cthen a normal schooll was awarded Ada, and until the present Science Hall was completed, used this building too. The growth of the city has been reflected in the growth of the schools. In 1903, Irving school was built, and as needed Willard, C19081, Glenwood 119151, Hayes and Washington C19191, and Napier C1939J, were added. Too, these buildings have been, and will be rebuilt as the need arose and funds were available. It was in 1928 that Oklahama's most modern up-to-date high school build- ing, Ada High School, was occupied by grades nine to twelve. Peak enrollment came in 1937-38 when 866 students were in attendance. When the iunior high school building was occupied in 1939, the ninth grade was moved into it. A band building was added in 1954 and a cafeteria in 1956. Thus in a brief span, the schools of Ada have grown from a one-room log cabin with one teacher to a 552,500,000 plant with a faculty of 128 to keep pace with all of Oklahoma's growth. Former Superintendents: J. J. Scarborough ......, 1902 1903 J. B. Adamson ..,.. 1903 1904 J. R. Hendrix ...... 1904 1906 M. L. Perkings ....... 1906 1909 T. W. Robinson ..... 1909 1917 J. E. Hickman .... 1917 1927 l. S. Hinshaw ...... 1927 1933 B. R. Stubbs ...... 1933 1937 C. Dan Proctor ...... 1937 1943 Rex O. Morrison ..... 1943

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l l l l L. SLIPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS N OVXXSO NX vii O' To Ada High School Students . . . Then and Now: With the book we commemorate the fiftieth year of the state of Oklahoma and tell in part the story of the growth of education in Ada. Among the thousands who have passed through the halls of the Ada Schools, the lives ot many attest to the value ot the education they received here. For twenty-two of the titty years it has been my privilege to be connected with the educational system of Ada. One of the richer opportunities in my life has been the deep and lasting pleasure of association with the students ot the Ada Schools. l hope that in some measure I have been able to add to the enrichment of your lives as you have . . . and continue to do . . . for me. , REX O. MORRISON Superintendent of Schools Ada, Oklahoma