Emporia High School - Re Echo Yearbook (Emporia, KS)

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V l . Garfield Bell and Emporia High School ++ C HE Garfield building was built in 1880. It was located in the block in which our present Senior High building was later constructed. It was an eight-room building of brick construc- tion and had a large tower with a bell on it. The original faculty consisted of six teachers and the student body of approximately 125 people. The first graduating classes contained from ten to twelve students, most of whom were girls. At first it offered o11ly a three- year course, but later, when the State University standardized Kansas High schools, Emporia was modeled after the University standards, the faculty was enlarged and a four-year course offered. At the time of this enlargement the Garfield building also housed Grades 6, 7, and 8. In 1912 the people of Emporia noted bonds for the present Senior High building. Its construction began April 2 of that year and was completed in two years. The students of the old Garfield building promptly moved into their new quarters-which were to them a dreani that was realized at last. A formal opening was held for the public May 3, 1914. The alumni and students rescued the bell that had hung in the old Garfield building and made it into the monun1ent that now stands on the southwest corner of our campus. In matzing this monument they used materials taken from the Garfield building. At this time the high school course was divided into Iunior and Senior High schools. It was necessary to divide the day-the Senior High classes met in the mornings and the Iunior High in the after- noon. This plan was continued until the co1npletion of the present junior High building in 1925. The new structure was built 102 feet by 175 feet, three stories high and a full basement. It is of classic architecture and the front entrance has two Ionic columns of Bedford stone. The structure of the basement is of Carthage stone, Tliamond and Vitrified hriek backed 11p with Buffalo pacing. The floors of the building are of mosaic tile. It is well equipped, hazing forty rooms, gymnasium and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 900. It is easily seen that the Emporia High School has taken great strides in the past and it will continue to do so in the future.

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Senior High School The Garfield Bell

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