Cary High School - YRAC Yearbook (Cary, NC)

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Editorial The Cary Public High School traces its origin hack to the j ixtiei. This com- munity was evolved from the economic and social conditions following the destruction of the Southern plantation system by the Civil War. The families of the Southern planters who gathered here and with that harbinger, A. Prank Page, one of the cap- tains of industry of this section of the State, and a type of man who came to the front in the post-bellum days—these people had a deep-seated conviction of the value and worth of an education. Realizing this need, they soon erected a creditable building devoted to the instruction of the youth of the community; and after the fashion of that day called it ‘“The Academy.” Mr. A. II. Merritt, a scholarly man, was the first prin- cipal. And yearly thereafter boys and girls could drink here some, if not deeply- of the Pierian spring. £ The early records of our school were preserved largely by tradition. Among those who strove in the early years “to teach the young idea how to shoot” were Rev. Solomon Pool, a former President of the University of North Carolina; Prof. W. L. Crocker and Rev. Jesse Page. In the early nineties the school was conducted by Misses Loulie and Lily Jones, daughters of Mr. Rufus 11. Jones, who led in the estab- lishment of the academy. In 18%, under the leadership of Rev. C. W. Blanchard, a corporation was formed which purchased the school from the Misses Jones. Mr. F.dward Lee Middleton was elected as the first principal of the Cary High School. Me was principal for twelve years, and through his unflagging energy and large vision, a substantial place was established for the school. This place has been maintained by his able successor. Mr. M. B. Dry. Some of the early students who have attained prominence were Walter Hines Page, Ambassador to England; Henry A. Page, State Food Administrator, and Robert H. Page, former Congressman and now candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor. In 1907 the State High School Law was passed, and Professor Middleton and his associates, “divining the signs of the times,” converted the Cary High School into the first State high school, the Cary Public High School, April, 1907. Beginning with the Cary High School in 1896, a boarding patronage developed which has been increased through the years. The buildings and dormitories were enlarged from time to time until the present plant was developed, which comprises six buildings, valued at more than $100,000. In 1918 the main building was erected. The next year the facilities were provided and a farm-life school and a domestic science department were added. The present Page dormitory for girls was constructed in 1916. There is now being built a large dormitory for the hoys, which, if due regard for the fitness of things is observed, will be named the Dry Dormitory. Now, gentle reader, we have given you some of the steps in the external develop- ment of our school, where many boys and girls have been fitted for lives of larger usefulness. The spirit of this noble institution will appear more conspicuously in the other features of this work. A wise man has said, we cannot understand the present unless we know something of the past, and we, after having tried to minister to you in this latter respect, invite you to the living present depicted in these pages. The Editors. Page Fourteen

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