Greenville High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Greenville, MI)

Page 18 text:

SCHOOL HISTORY Blacksmith and Wabasis Indians used to have undisputed possession of the land now covered by our city of Greenville. It was an extensive forest then abundant with wild-life, and dotted with lakes where the Indians fished. Flat River gurgled and leaped over the rocks on its way to larger waters. Probably Indian children splashed and played in the shallow water, for the [ndian village was on the river bank. This was the life until L844, when John Green brought his family to this locality, and built a half-roof shanty. At first there was not a white neighbor within six miles but soon Josiah Russell's family became Green's neighbors. The settlement had begun. It grew until it was incorporated as the village of Greenville in 1867. The first school, an imposing structure twelve by sixteen feet in dimensions and eight feet high, was opened in 1845, on Lafayette Street where our city hall now is. Miss Katherine Satterlee, a dashing brunette, was the first teacher to weild the beech-rod .For her salary she received the startling amount of nine shillings a week and the privilege of boarding at the homes of her pupils—there were twenty-five, including six Indian children. Later,at the corner of Cass and Lafayette Streets,a little red school house was built,which also served for church and public meetings, and was eventually made into the Eagle Hotel . At this time Greenville was important in the lumbering industry. Familiar sounds then were the clankings of chains, the stamping of massive horses and the song of the caw. The river now had a heavier load then before—it carried thousands of immense rough logs just cut, floating down the mill on the river bank. The town spread northward and more schools were built. Our Union School building was completed in 1869, at an approximate cost of thirty thousand dollars, and was later entered on the university list. Since Greenville was but a small village comparatively, at that time, the structure seemed rather large and expensive. It has since been partially burned, and a gymnasium and other parts have been added. How overwhelmed Miss Katherine Satterlee , Greenville' s first school teacher, would be if she came back and saw the complex development of our school system I How would) she like student government? And wouldn't she be thrilled by our journalism and occupation classes? I believe it would also be amazing for one of those first graduates to take a speech class from Mr.Hampton, learn the art of stage make-up, and to cap it all, see him do the notorious snow-bird act. Don't you agree?

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I' 11 leave Flat River There I ne'er can find rest; I'll shoulder my peavie And start for the West. Now come all you - •oung fellows With hearts brave and true----------