La Grande High School - Mimir Yearbook (La Grande, OR)

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While School House Classes in 1888. .intutustratnut att£ Classes

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Lillian and Grace McCallister, Mrs. E. A. Ivanhoe, Miss Violet Savanah, and others, moulded future citizens in their own wonderful way. Another early building, built in about ’88 to take care of the rapidly growing number of younger folks, was the little brick structure on the north side where Mrs. Nellie Neal, present Riveria principal, taught for many years. This building was later remodelled into a parsonage. The building now occupied by the Blue Mountain Creamery was also used as a school in times of congestion. But all good things came to an end then as now. Conditions required more room and in 1899 Central building was constructed to handle the congestion by taking over the high school course and part of the grades from the white school and the “old brick school.” Riveria, Greenwood, and finally Willow grade build- ings were built, each linking together an institution of learning that is far reaching, up to the minute, and practical. Responsible to the School Board, Superintendent J. T. Longfellow presides over this intricate school system with its advanced methods, its highly developed teaching staff of seventy-five, a school enrollment of 2,283, its manual training, its domestic science and art courses, its music, its bands and glee clubs, its games and building rivalry—all parts of a complex sys- tem that proves of itself that La Grande taxpayers want the best for their children today, just as they did in the beginning. Have not wonders been wrought in the span between Provedence M. Currey and J. T. Longfellow? -----------o----------- In 187(1 the first institution of higher learning was organized in the form of the Blue Mountain University. This was sponsored by the Columbia River Con- ference of the Methodist church. La Grande was chosen because of its central location in Eastern Oregon and Washington. The building stood about where the high school is today and was a pretentious brick structure for the times. Dan- iel Chaplin subscribed the land and $2,000. Three stories constituted the build- ing, the upper room being a chapel, the second floor the assembly room, and the first floor the recitation room. The subjects included regular present-day high school courses—science, mathematics, English and languages. The girls attend- ing the university “roomed out” while the boys maintained bachelors’ hall. J. L. Carter was the first acting president and Mrs. H. K. Hines was one of the first teachers. Her husband the Rev. H. K. Hines, was the school’s agent. In the most prosperous time of the University G. M. Ackerman of New York was president. He served from 1880 to 1883 when he went East hoping to get financial aid, but failing to get it did not return. At this point La Grande was placed in the Idaho conference of the Methodist church while the other division of the Columbia River conference became the Pacific conference and gave its support to Willamette Uni- versity. In 1884 the University was in too heavy financial difficulties and closed its doors. Today, we of La Grande are measuring time until the erection of the Eastern Oregon Normal school is begun. May the dream and vision of the pioneers, when they established the Blue Mountain University in La Grande, be gloriously fulfilled in the Eastern Oregon Normal school.

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F. A. Epmng H. E. Williams (Clerk) R. Errrhaiid R. S. Fakin G. S. Bihnik I)n. R. P. Landis (Not in picture) jDtmri of (Siuicfitiott The Board of Education is an organization of five La Grande men elected by the citizens of the district as the governing body of the I.a Grande schools. These men give their services through civic loyalty; and their untiring efforts are de- serving of sincere appreciation from the school and community. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Eberhard, the board has been most construc- tive this year. They aid the students in everything that is undertaken and in re- turn expect them to keep their studies and grades at a high standard. The in- terest of these men has been shown by the many improvements they have made possible for the school this year. (10)