Atkinson High School - Tiger Yearbook (Atkinson, IL)

Page 13 text:

HISTORY OF ATKINSON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Gradually, step by step, due to the work of the first settlers In Atkinson and their descendants year after year, the chances for our learning have increased. The first school building in Atkinson was built on the corner where the residence of Mrs. Janes Nowers now stands. Thi6 structure was the scene of many rallies and political gatherings in Civil War tines. The 3choolhouse was the fourth building erected in tills village an indication of what an important part education has played in Atkinson. The first teacher here was Mrs. Elizabeth Nowers Lyons. The three R's, spelling, and geography were the only subjects taught at that time. Later, a larger frame building was erected two blocks v eet on the site now occupied by the present school. At this time there were only three grade teachers and one teacher in high school because there was but three years in high school until 1904. The first commencement was held in 1889 with Helen Lyons as the -first graduate. High school subjects were taught for many years before there were any graduating classes. Apparently before 1889, the young folks stayed in cchool as lor.1 as they felt they should and then left without ceremony when they felt they had acquired sufficient educ’tlon. During th-t period there w s no choice of subjects ac the pupils tock what was in the course of study and lined it. In 1920, the present school war built at a cost of 560,000 and in January 1921, the student, b gan their work in it. It was constructed with an auditorium, library, office, and three recitation rooms on the third floor, four class rooms for the grades on the oecond floor, and rooms for manual tr'in ng nd home economics together with a gymnasium on the first floor. Unfortunately, the cchool records of the school, prior to 1906, were destroyed causing much of the early history of the institution to be lost. On April 23, 1939, new territory was added to the Atkinson school district by a special cchool election which increased the enrollment the following year. In April 1941, it was voted by residents of this community to issue bonds and build a new school building at the cost of 8100,000. The structure is nearing completion and the Seniors of 1942 expect to be the first class to be graduated from the new building. By Evelyn Eecker.