Lima Central High School - Annual Mirror Yearbook (Lima, OH)

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l-listory of Central T is interesting to note the progress of higher education in Lima from its be- ginning to the present time. To Dr. D. W. Littlefield, who started the Lima Union School in 1857, is attributed the founding of our first secondary school. Classes were first held in the basement of the Methodist Epis- copal Church and later at the corner of Market and Union, with P. J. Stirewatt the only teacher. Although only a log cabin and a handful of students greeted Superintendent William A. Shaw, he dauntlessly introduced a four- year curriculum in our schools. Thanks to his courage and to the efforts of his successor, Professor John Hanson of Dartmouth Col- lege, the enrollment continued to increase so much that the services of an assistant teacher were needed, and Miss Ellen Carpenter, now Mrs. J. R. Hughes of Toledo, was hired to teach in Lima. The first freshman class numbered twenty-five, and at the end of four years commencement exercises were held for Mary Watt, Feledia Bennett, and Jose- phine Cunningham in the old Ashton Hall on the present site of the Lima Trust Build-- ing. In 1868 under W. E. Crosby, all students could elect courses in Greek, drawing, and painting but could take French and German only by paying an additional fee. Proud, beaming graduates now received printed cer-- tificates to indicate the completion of each separate study. In 1870 G. W. Walker assumed the lead- ership of Lima schools. J. M. Greenslade succeeded him in 1884, and Charles G. Mil- ler became superintendent in 1896. The oil boom in 1898 increased the en- rollment so greatly that classes were moved to the third floor of the East High School building on North Pine Street. School was not in session here very long. as a great cyclone wrecked the structure on Saturday, September 28, 1898, and it was necessary to transfer the school to the college building, which was erected in 1890 by the eight Lima Education Lutheran Association. After a year's stay at the Jamison Avenue building, classes were then moved to the Holland Block where they remained until 1905, when they began reciting in our present building. The next decade marked further educa- tional progress. New rooms, laboratories, and departments were added under the super- vision of John Davison, whose administra- tion began in 1905. The year 1915 saw J. E. Collins at the head of a rapidly growing organization, com- pelling notice in every field. South High School was erected in 1918, and the original school's name was changed from Lima High School to Central High School. A new gymnasium, auditorium, and cafeteria brightened the interior aspect of the old building. R. E. Offenhauer, who became principal of Central High School in 1918, effected marked improvements in the courses, departments, and activities. H. W. Leach of Marietta succeeded Mr. Offenhauer when the latter became superin- tendent of Lima schools in 1925. The ad- mirers of his executive ability and human qualities are many, both among Central's students and faculty. When Mr. Offenhauer resigned his posi- tion in 1937 to become president of Bowling Green University, J. McLean Reed, then superintendent of Fostoria schools, was named in his place. Under his progressive leadership, emphasis is being placed more and more on the proper guidance of the child. both educationally and vocationally. A long span of years has marked the tran- sition from a small group of pupils huddled in the basement of an old church for their classes to nearly two thousand students in a building covering an entire city block. In- deed, Central is a small city in itself with cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium, hospital, library, and its own publications all housed under one roof. -BERT STIMMEL

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e X Central High School in 1939 NOW-- Central, with its many modern courses, highly rated activi- ties, and intelligent students, is the Central of 1939. Thirty-five years have brought new additions, new people, and new im- provements to our school, which is known all over the state for its prowess in debate, music, athletics, school spirit, and scholar- ship. May the students ofthe future honor and carry on the tradi- tions that have been laid down by the schools foresighted originators.

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