Alton High School - Tatler Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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20 •'THE TATLER” belief in the community that a high school with a course of only three years was not adequate to the demands of a city of Alton’s size, so the course was lengthened to four years and made equal to that of the best schools in the state. In 1896 J. E. Turner, who had been an assistant teacher, became principal. He still serves and we all know how the High School is flourishing through the efforts of our present principal. Jn Lincoln School at first one room, then two rooms, on the third floor were used for the High School; soon these rooms were not able to accommodate the rapidly increasing attendance, so the entire floor was given up to the High School, the partition between two of the rooms was removed so as to form an assembly hall, and the other rooms divided into recitation rooms. Each year the accommodations proved less adequate, cloak rooms were pressed into service as recitation rooms, and finally two rooms on the second floor were given up to the increasing High School. Evidently Lincoln School could no longer meet the requirements of the High School, so plans were formed for the erection of a new building. Through the strenuous efforts of some of Alton’s leading citizens, zealous supporters of our public school system, it was decided to put the proposal to a vote of the people. The good citizens of Alton generously sanctioned the project and authorized the expenditure of $50,000 for the purpose; so the erection of a modem High School was begun in 1902. On June the nth the corner stone was laid with elaborate ceremonies. According to Masonic rites' it was anointed with oil and wine and wheat was sprinkled over it. The fall of 1902 saw the completion of an elegant edifice, modern in architecture and a model school building in all of its appointments. It was occupied November 15. It is Romanesque in style of architecture and is an ornament to our city. It is three stories high and contains also a basement and an attic, which may be finished and utilized, if necessary, for school purposes. The basement contains a gymnasium, which is well equipped with the necessary apparatus. Instruction in physical training is here offered to both girls and boys. Basket ball proves especially attractive, but the girls find both profit and pleasure also in the Indian club drills. On the first floor there are the handsome offices of the superintendent and the Board of Education, besides four recitation rooms, the drawing room, two lunch rooms and two cloak rooms. The assembly-room on the second floor is one of the lightest, airiest, and most tastefully decorated halls in Illinois : it will now seat 400 pupils, but it is so arranged that 500 may be accommodated. The steel ceiling is decorated in yellow and red, while the walls are tinted %

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hung with portraits of distinguished men and women and with copies of famous paint-mnects with the assembly room. On this floor there arc also three recitation rooms, rooms and the women teachers’ private room. lie lecture room, physical and chemical laboratories, the biology room and a domestic s not yet been called into service. igh School is growing much more rapidly than the population of the city. In 1895 present year 243. showing an increase of almost 100 percent in ten years. The increase has, of course, necessitated a corresponding increase in the teaching force; seven teachers now give their ntire time to high school work, while special teachers give instruction in music and drawing. Every visitor who inspects the new building is lavish in his praises of its beauty and convenience; that it is attractive to students is shown by the recent rapid increase in attendance: nevertheless the enrollment is by no means large in proportion to the size of the city. While pupils from smaller towns take up their abode in Alton in order to obtain the benefits this institution offers, too many pupils in the grades leave school early, apparently not realizing the importance of continuing their studies. We invite all grammar school pupils and their parents to visit our school; if they will inspect our beautiful building, examine the work and investigate the excellent and varied courses of study, we are sure that they will wish to join the ranks that throng the halls of the Alton High School. Jennie Bauman.