Lower Paxton High School - Ranger Yearbook (Harrisburg, PA)

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History of Lower Paxton Lower Paxton township was never actually authorized, but was what remained of the orig- inal township of Paxton, after town and townships were carved from it. Upper and Middle Pax- ton, the Swataras, Susquehanna, and Hanover townships, and the Harrisburg Borough lie within the old boundaries. Paxton township was settled First by the Scotch Irish, and Pennsylvania Germans. These early settlers bound themselves together for protection mainly from Indians, and called them- selves the Paxton Boys. Liberty and Independence was their cry, and within 48 hours after the news of Lexington Battle, the well home-trained men were ready to move, making them the first volunteers of the state. Each home unit had its own flag, since there was no national flag. They were dressed in white frocks, or rifle shirts, and round hats. The Paxton Boys fought all the way from Quebec to Charleston. An outrage committed by a band of men from Paxton Township at Conestoga where they murdered several of the Indians of that peaceful tribe, has marred their integrity. However, the men re- ceived full sanction from most of the inhabitants of the surround- ing area for this heinous crime and went unpunished. Many churches were built in the township, and many of them still stand today. Religion meant a lot to these upstanding settlers. Their farms were fertile and the rural area prospered. The town of St. Thomas, now named Linglestown, was the main settlement of the area and it boasted three general stores. Small villages bordered the Jones- town Road. After Civil War days, the old Jonestown Road was widened into a highway to carry the Har- risburg traffic. Colonial Park, Paxtonia and then other suburb- an areas shot up as the rural township started to turn from rural to semi-rural and then to suburban. Farms have been turned into housing developments as bulldoz- ers have leveled hills and wood- lots. Wildlife and beautiful land- scape are being pushed aside. History and tradition too have died, as many new people have moved into the township. However, in the hearts of many, will remain memories of days gone by, of wooded hillsides, of old postmasters and soldiers, and of Lower Paxton High School. We are grateful for the won- derful accounts collected over many years by Nevin Moyer, local historian and teacher in the town- ship schools, who did so much to preserve the traditional history of our community. The very first settlers of Lower Paxton Township taught their children at home. Later, as the churches grew, children attended parochial schools at Wenrich's Church, and at Shoop's Church. Since there were very few col- leges or universities in America in Colonial times, students had to go to Europe to further their edu- cation. The people of Paxton, Derry, and Hanover townships did not desire to send their child- ren to Europe. In 1739 they erect- ed a log college in Paxton Town- ship. This structure stood until 1919. The one-room log school houses were erected in the 1800's and stern masters taught the three R's with aid of a hickory stick. In 1856, Lower Paxton had seven 12 log schools and 455 pupils. Grad- ually log schools gave way to frame and later to brick struc- tures. A two-year high school course was established in 1909. The courses offered were: General Science, Algebra, Civics, English, History, Geometry, and Botany. The need for a better high school increased through the years. In 1921 work was started on the present building. The building was dedicated in 1922. Seven stu- dents graduated in the first class. Several additions have been made to this building to meet the past needs of the growing township. The Alumnae and friends of Lower Paxton High School will ever remember the traditions and customs, and especially senior classes. IN THE THOUGHTS OF MANY: Class plays are acted again with all the excitement of opening night. The more or less sweet music of the dance band, still enchants dancers in the gym.

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Proms and parties need crepe paper and the crystal ball, and nails cannot be driven into the gym floor. The band is practic- ing on the cold, dusty football field for the rival game with Susquehanna, as the Student Council plans for the Homecom- ing dance. A typist for the year- book, The Ranger, is pecking furiously on the typewriter with the worn ribbon, while a writer for the newspaper, The Paxton Scroll, beats a deadline. A mem- ber of the basketball squad is anxiously anticipating a basket- ball game while daydreaming during the day's last period. The chorus raises its voices, as it pre- pares for a Christmas program Lower Paxton Schools and students count the days until Christmas vacation, as a senior plots an early escape in his rusty jalopy. Chemistry students don rubber aprons during a replace- ment experiment, and someone turns off the hot water valve dur- ing showers after gym. Infernal noises from the shop and band room never fail to find their way into overheated rooms with open doors. The inevitable door of the office always remains open. Jun- iors discuss class rings as the sen- iors plan for graduation. Finally, Class Day exercises still shed a senior's tear, as the strains of the Alma Mater tingle his spine. The log Cabin 1739 Lower Paxton Consolidated School 'I930 13