Bucyrus High School - Bucyrian Yearbook (Bucyrus, OH)

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Histnrg at the Euniun Sthnnl auilding The schools of a city are indicative of that cityls growth, and after years of experience with many Classes of a school going popu- lace scattered in as many diFferent places, Bucyrus was compelled to face the problem of obtaining a building suHiCiently large to accommodate all the pupils. An act passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, on February 21, 1849, for the better regulation of public schools in Cities and towns was taken advantage of by many Cities throughout the state, and it needed but the consent of the citizens of Bucyrus for the Board to take immediate action toward the establishment of a Union building. However, like most innovations, it was met with disfavor by many Citizens and was, shortly after, rejected by the qualified electors. Later the same question gained prominence, and the Board of Education, undaunted by the earlier experience, undertook the task before them. They had solved other educational problems and had seen the tuition system, exemplified in the small Class Which attended the log cabin on the Sandusky river, develop into the grade system with High School advantages, salaried teachers, supervisors and superintendents. NIany able educators rendered eHiCient service but much is due to the late John Hopley whose interests and efforts placed the schools of the city on a firm foundation, and the organization that he then effected has remained substantially the same ever since. However, the demand for better ac- lcommodations could no longer be met by renting more room and the necessity for a complete and adequate building was before the board. HIGH SCHOOL CHAPEL The Board of Education at that time was composed of Dr. C. Fulton, president; John Hopley, secretary; John Franz, treasurer; Judge James Clements; Geo. Donnenwirth, sr., and Samuel Hoyt. In 1860 they submitted to a special election a proposition to levy a $40,000 tax to meet the expenses of the undertaking. It was successful and O. Koehler, of Cleveland was 12

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C. G. CAYHOE Instructor in Art and Penmanship; Graduate of Zanerian Art College at Columbus, Ohio, in 1888; Taught in Cardington for nine years; Came to Bucyrus High in 1898. AUGUSTUS GOLDSMITH Instructor in Music; Graduate of Ohio Normal Uni- versity, 1891 Scientific courseL Studied Music under Davis, of Cincinnati; C. C. Lewis, of Boston; Miles, of New York, and traveled with the Mendelssohn Concert Co; After teaching in Ft. Wayne and Upper Sandusky, he came to B ,icyrus High in 1894. 11

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employed to make the plans. The contract was let to the Bucyrus Machine Works, at $46,900. Excavations for the basement were made in the fall of 1867 and on July 30, 1868, the cornerstone was laid. any additions the building stands today as the designer planned it. But the people, feeling that they had not authorized the Board to build a $75,000 building, refused to meet the de- mands and the Board was forced to seek a friendly legisla- ture who supplied the deficiency. In 1870, in the administration of J, C. Harper, the hrst class graduated, and each year since a class has been prepared for Commencement day. The building is centrally located, and the remnant of what was once a four-acre oak grove furnishes a fitting back- ground to the imposing structure. Constructed of brick and stone, it fulfills well the plans of its designers. Improved methods of heating and ventilation have rendered the early methods somewhat inadequate; present generations find its twenty-one rooms and halls insufficient; laboratory accom- modations are meagre and dangerous; most of the rooms are poorly lighted; and yet the building, collegeelike in its appearance, stands an honor to the community and a monu- ment to the untiring eHorts 0f the early educators of the city. URSUIA MILLS Dedicatory services were held Sept, 28, 1869 and without The expense of equipment necessitated another tax levy of $12,000 A CORNER OF THE LABORATORY