Boonville High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Boonville, NC)

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“Good, the more communicated, Not too much is known concerning the very early days of the first secondary school here. It was the year 1887 according to the best records avail- able that the Academy opened for business in Boonville at the present site. Prior to that time a free school was operated about one-half mile west of what has since been Boonville High School. In 1891 the school took the name of Yadkin Valley Institute under the direction of Mr. R. B. Bob Horn. His chief assistant was Mr. John Allen, a Boonville native. The Institute was a boarding school for boys and girls. At one time, more than 100 students from many different parts of North Carolina were enrolled. The original building, which housed the Yadkin Valley Institute was built of wood. Additions were made from time to time as facilities became in- adequate due to an ever increasing number of pupils. In 1898 Boonville citizens donated 700 logs toward an addition to the original structure. From the beginning of the school in 1887 until 1918 the operation of the school was strictly on a private basis. All expenses were borne by funds derived from tuition fees paid by the student body. In 1918, however, the local people formed a school district, which consisted mainly of the town of Boonville with some nearby outlying areas attached and voted a local tax for the purpose of financing the operation of the school. It became a public high school as well as an elementary school with public money being used for operation. This system was supplemented, however, by students from other areas, who continued to pay a tuition fee. 6

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Men close to the soil are close to God. The principal industry has always been farming. The people of the community today follow the example set by their ancestors in leading a quiet and unas- suming life, and in taking pride in their homes, churches, and their school. Miss Mary Lynn Coram, Class of 1964, is pictured with a cow from the herd of her father, Ralph Coram. There are many modern dairies in our community and Boonville boys and girls are always to be found among the winners at cattle shows. The growing of tobacco is still one of the chief means of income of the community. Here mem- bers of the Woodruff family are shown harvesting tobacco. The Boonville Motor Company, operated by H. J. Steelman, was the first Ford dealer in Yadkin County. Tobacco has always been a leading money-maker in Yadkin County. Jim Speer operated a sizeable tobacco factory duringthe 1890's. Employing about ten persons, he manufactured plug tobacco. He delivered it while traveling over the country with horse and buggy. Abner Davis and Isaac Shugart also manufactured tobacco in the early 1880’s. Today Yadkin County tobacco is taken to market in Winston-Salem, where many of our citizens are employed. 5

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the more abundant grows.” Room and board was provided for students at the Hotel Angel and at private homes for $6.50 per month, including washing, lights, etc. The Hotel Angel was located at the intersection north of Day's Store. This picture was made about 1909. '«tor Tflww R. a. HORf rftlNl-li'AU Probably the first principal of the Academy was a Mr. Yarborough. He was followed by a Mr. Brown from Sparta and he by Mr. Tom Watkins. Mr. R. B. Horn was head of the school for approxi- mately 12 years. Upon his departure, about the year 1903, a succession of principals followed for a period of ten or more years. From 1903 to 1913 the Yadkin Valley Institute was headed by the following men: Mr. Bright Woodhouse, a local man; a Mr. Teague, the Rev. J. J. Burch, Mr. Lee W. Truitte, the Rev. Joe Carter and Mr. Jerry Day. Professor H. F. Pardue followed as principal in 1913, Theaimof the Yadkin Valley Institute was stated in the catalogue for 1898-99 as follows: It is the aim of the school to furnish educational advantages of a high order, which shall combine thoroughness of instruction with ideas and enlarged conceptions of the duties and responsibilities of life. It is our aim to give students thorough preparation to enter col- lege and prepare those who do not for the active duties and responsibilities of life. A special feature of our school is to prepare young men and ladies to teach in the public school. Tuition ranged from $2.50 per month in the Teachers normal Depart- ment to $20.00 in the Business Department. “Make each day a critic on the last.” 7