Atkinson High School - Tiger Yearbook (Atkinson, IL)

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THE HISTORY OF ATKINSON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL This year is the tenth anniversary of the construction of the present high school building. This is the 55th anniversary of the high school and the 48th anniversary of the four year school. Atkinson first gave a three year course in 1887, and in 1889 Helen Lyons became the first graduate. Atkinson first offered a four year course in 1904. At that time the high school was located in one of the rooms on the second floor of the white frame building whicn stood at the site of the present public grade school. When classes were to recite, it was the custom to file into the long recitation room at one end of the second floor. Among the courses offered to those first pupils were: rhetoric, grammar, physics, math, and literature. In 1920 a new school was built. This building is now used as the grade school. When it became evident that this building was inadequate Tor the needs of the community, work began on the tremendous task of organizing and building a new school. The new Community High School was organized in the spring of 1940 with Harold Nowers as president and Peter Buysse as clerk of the school board. Other members were Robert Hamilton, John Parker, and Charles Verbeck. The board hired William Scon Sutton as principal and the following teachers: William Halloway, Howard D. Allison, June Marland, Jean Butler, and Betty Melvin. In the spring of 1941, after much discussion, the school board was given the authority to build a new building. Harry G. Aldrich of Galesburg was hired as architect and R. A. Mitchell of Moline was awarded the contract to build the building at a base bid of $75,359. 84. Separate bids for wiring and plumbing were given. The school building was finished in 1942. All during the year it was doubtful that enough material, especially steel, could be secured to finish the building as the war situation got worse. A large crowd attended the dedication ceremonies in the fall of 1942 under the management of Harold Renwick, principaL Six man football was started in 1940 under Coach Halloway. Night games were played in a field north of the railroad for a while. One year they were played in the afternoon on the Catholic Grade School grounds. After the new school was built, the grounds were leveled and a new lighted football field was built. As the new high school was opened in the fall of 1942, the following teachers made up the faculty: Harold Renwick, principal; Howard Allison, Lela Brown, L.R. Fuhrmeister, Jane Johnson, Mary Jane Coles, Ben Vitto. Raymond Arnold was hired as custodian. Since 1942, 181 pupils have been graduated and this year's class brings the total to 194. Before 1942 there had been a total of 270 graduates. At the present time Atkinson has a faculty of seven full time teachers and one part time music teacher. Twenty-seven courses plus physical education for all pupils are offered. The small enrollment enables teachers to give more individual attention to each pupil. A larger percentage of the pupils can participate in the extra-curricular activities which are also a valuable part of education.

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DEDICATION The Senior Class wishes to dedicate the 1952 annual to the alumni of Atkinson Community High School. Their support of all school activities is greatly appreciated.

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SCHOOL BOARD John Longeville Clarence Buysse Fred Schehl