Lapeer High School - Pantherscope Yearbook (Lapeer, MI)

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 Sullivan La tin JFantlttt Miss Reed Solo net-

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 rluuil iijiHtnrtf ROY SALISBURY We find in the early history of Lapeer that steps were soon Liken among the first settlers to provide for the education of the children in the new community. The first schools of the village were private enterprises, but where these schools were taught and of the teachers, very little is known; One building was situated near the site of the Marshall House: Another near the site now occupied by the Opera House block; In the latter house, school was taught by H. Hart, consisting of about 80 pupils. In 1837, Michigan was admitted into the I’nion. At that time, a law was passed, known as the “Rate Bill Law” by which cost of tuition was equitably assessed upon the parenta of children in attendance; By this method, schools were maintained for 19 years, or until 1856. The first building especially devoted to school purposes was erected through the efforts of Phineas While in 1837 upon the now vacant High School lot, but was afterwards removed to the South Hast corner of the adjoining block on the East in which school was maintained seven years. With the exceptions of K. .1. White, the names of the teachers are unknown. The first school house built at public expense was in the north part of the second ward building, in the summer of 1848. The following winter, school was taught by Thomas Hanchett; This lx ing the only public school building down to the year 1861. But the high school building proper dates Iwick to the time of a select school taught at this place by Rev. K. W. True, from 1845 to 1849. The following 12 years, instruction in the higher branches were distinct from the common schools, and confined to the private schools, which were held in the building liefore mentioned, erected by E. J. White. In 1859. a school for secondary instruction known as the Lapeer Seminary with Professor Lewis McLouth, ns it's first and only principal was formed. I'pon the resignation of Prof. McLouth. E. L. Little was appointed in his place and continued so for twelve years, under the name of “Tnion School”, managed by trustees elected at annual school meetings. In 1869, Lapeer was incorporated as a city and in 1873, provision was made in the amended charter for schools to lie independent of the school law. The old Seminary, formerly built fora Court House, whs the main school building until the erection of the present high school building in 1875 and the addition of the Session room in 1887. Thus we find that our present graded system of public schools of the city had its loginning in 1873. From time to time efforts have liven put forth to make the schools meet the wants of the people as the advancement of time has required. Statistics show us that since 1870 there have liven 485 graduates of our high school.