Central High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Muskogee, OK)

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1 HISTORY OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL URING its career of eighteen years, Central High has occupied five different dwelling places. Its beginning was modest, but it has developed rapidly, thus attaining its present size and importance. A real need for a high school was first felt in the fall of 1905. There was a public school system at the time, and had been since 1898, but taxes were uncertain, and no attempt to organize a high school had yet been made. In response to this demand five freshman subjects were offered. The northeast room of the Jefferson school was used for the class of nineteen pupils who desired to take the course. One teacher was ob- tained who taught four of the subjects, while Mr. Redd, principal, taught the other subject. The five subjects were, algebra, general history, Latin, rhetoric and Zoology. The teacher was Miss Iduma Hughes. The work was organized under a four year system, but students could graduate with three years work. Those who made ninety in their grades or over were exempt from the examination. This room had to be abandoned shortly after however, for the number of students increased rapidly. In the fall of 1906 there were one hundred and twenty pupils enrolled. Then during the summer of 1907 Kendall College was moved to Tulsa, and as the town was growing rapidly the autumn of 1907 found over two hundred students enrolled for high school with six teachers. Consequently it was necessary to move to a larger place, and the Franklin school building was chosen as the place. Splendid school spirit marked the time spent in this place, the girls sold candy and started a school library with the proceeds while the classes set out trees on Arbor Day which still beautify the Franklin grounds. During this third year of high school work, physics, chemistry, American Literature, German, solid geometry, Latin, and English history were offered. Mr. Ira L. Cain was principal at this time having been elected to the position in 1906. During this year there was no room large enough to have an assembly, and as a result a piano was placed in the large hall upstairs in Franklin school, and here the students met once a week to sing. The pleasant school life was not destined to last long however, for in the spring a large crack appeared in the front wall of the Franklin building, and the school was declared unsafe. Thus the high school students found themselves homeless again. The Kendall building was next to house the growing high school. The site had been bought by real estate investors who were tearing the buildings down in order to sell the land. They offered the main administration building to the high school and possession was taken during April. This school structure was three stories high. It had many class rooms, one assembly room, and was situated on twenty acres of ground. The high school passed the year of 1908 and 1909 in this building. During this year, manual training, agriculture, and American history were added to the list of subjects of- fered and the faculty was increased to nine members. Although the real estate men had been willing to let the school use the building, they were nevertheless anxious to sell the land, and early in the year, requested the school board to have the building vacated by June. They did not wait until June how- ever, for long before that month they began laying off blocks and putting in streets. About this same time the school board began planning for the erection of a perman- ent high school building. There was no place known however in which they could have school during the year 1909 and 1910. Selling bonds, settling details, choosing a loca- tion, and doing other things necessary to build the school would take too long to hope to finish in time for that year. It was decided late in the summer to rent the Sawyer and Bostic buildings on South Third street and conduct the school in them. The whole thing was rented for 8225 per month. Thus in October, 1909, after some preparation on the building, the high school began what turned out to be the most unique and interesting phase of all its career. The rooms had been made by putting thin board partitions up which permitted each class to hear the disconnected jumble of the discussions going on in the other classes. There PAGE EIGHT

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Tforeworo Q A famous man once said adverse publicity is bet- ter than no publicity at all. 11 Believing this to be true, it has been the purpose of the staff of this book to place within its covers the name and picture of every student enrolled in Central High School. 11 We have tried to make a pictorial history of our school in which frivolity has linked arms with pathos. 11 Forgive us, dear fellows, if we have said anything that might hurt you. In the years yet to be torn from the calendars of man, if this well meant vol- ume should ever be removed from its resting place, we sincerely hope that it will take its reader back to that time during which material for the book was gathered, bringing smiles and tears of many happy days which, once passed, can only be recalled. ESE

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was also a small room for an office, and three more for a study hall on the upper fioor. Two of the most important events that have ever happened to Central High School occurred during the fall of 1909. The first was the organization of a football team which passed through a very successful season, winning four games out of five played. During December of the same year the Scout made its first appearance as a monthly magazine. Jane Rockwood was the editor. The present student body can readily see the extent of the Scout's growth, which has kept apace with that of Central High School. The following spring the second graduating class passed from the portals of the school. Bascom Smith, besides being president of the class has the added distinction of having chosen the Green and White colors which have followed Central High School through victory and defeat since that time. Mr. John T. Helley was the principal. School opened in the new building on Dayton and E streets September 26, 1910 for the winter term. The student body and faculty were overjoyed because of the new building. It was likened unto a palace by those people who had been forced to attend classes in the make-shift rooms of the buildings which had been used up to this time. The first and original building consisted of but half of the present building. The north wing was added some years later. Mr. L. E. Weatherwax was principal of the school and had been since 1909. By virtue of the additional room, new subjects were added to the curriculum. Three more departments were also added, Art, Domestic Science and Physical Education. The Scout prospered under the editorship of Howard Upton. The second football team of Central High School ended the season with five victories and two losses. Miss Ellen Russell formed the first high school orchestra during the school year of 1910. The first play ever to be presented by a school or organization was given. The junior class gave two during the year as entertainments for the seniors. A Proposal Under Difficulties was given during the first of the year and another, Thank Goodness the Table Is Spread, was given before the close of school. A basketball team was also organized this year and the Green and White cohorts were victorious in seven games and were trampled on in but two. In the spring the baseball nine won four and lost one contest. Two debates were held and Central High men proved to the state that they were at last on the map by winning both contests. In the Spring 37 students graduated and for the first time diplomas were presented. The next year, 1911-12, was also a very successful one for Central High. Subjects in the commercial department were offered which included bookkeeping, typewriting and commercial arithmetic. ' The Entre Nous club was organized as a Girls' Literary club. The Scout continued its growth with Rilla Duncan as editor. All the athletic teams enjoyed a comparatively successful season. Work continued in the music, class, and chorus work. The first opera was presented by the chorus, The Pink Parasol. l During the year of 1912 plans for the enlargement of the building were started. The great increase in classes and attendance made this a necessity. The north side of the building was added at a cost of 375,000 Another worthy move was the organization of the Boys' Glee club which took place during the year of 1912-13. The senior class also presented a play, which has been made an annual event since that time. The name of the play this year was Charlie Aunt. The graduating class used for the Hrst time the conventional cap and gown. The football team suffered a series of reverses that were due partly to the schedule entered upon. The debate teams finished victorious for the third straight year. Harold Pemberton was the president of the senior class of 1913. Forty-nine people received diplomas this year, the same number as in 1912. In the autumn of 1913, work was started on the addition to the building. The faculty numbered forty members. The football team was much improved in the fall of '13 and won seven games. The other athletic teams made excellent showings, but the debate teams suffered defeats, due to the illness of two team members. With the coming of spring the fancies of the seniors turned from work to play and on the morning of April 1 appeared at their classes dressed as Hobos. This custom PAGE NINE 3 ...g-1 1: W' W' T