Manual High School - Mirror Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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Six Manual DURING the twenty-eight years of Manual's existence many things have happened which are of histori- cal significance. From the day that Manual opened up to the present time many important events, contests, ath- letic games, achievements, social and extra-curricular activities have taken place. Prior to the opening of Manual the only high school in the city was lo- cated at the corner of Fayette and Monroe streets. Known as Peoria High School, it was organized in 1856. Increased city population and ever- increasing enrollments in this school made necessary the construction of an additional building. The ground on which our school now stands was chosen for this purpose. An isolation hospital previously occupied the site selected. From this location to the bluff extended a large body of water known as Goose Lake, which afford- ed both boating and fishing in season. Ground for the new school was broken on December 9, 1908 and the actual building of our school was begun. Plans called for the use of red sandstone and terra cotta brick for the exterior. By fall of the following year the building was completed at a cost of S483,000, and Manual Training High School was opened. Little attempt was made at land- scaping until 1914 when Mr. P. G. Miles donated a number of American elm trees to beautify the grounds. During the dry years of 1935 and 1936, however, many of these trees succumbed and have since been re- placed with Chinese elms which are said to be more hardy and drought resistant. Then in 1923 Mrs. M. L. Fuller donated shrubbery to further increase the attractiveness of the sur- roundings. Though ample provisions for in- creased enrollments had supposedly been made, yet by 1921 increased facilities became necessary. Excava- tion for additions to cost 3S250,000 was begun in December, and the new classrooms and gymnasiums were opened in 1922. The original building consisted of only the major front portion of the present structure. Large study halls occupied the third floor at both ends, the office was directly over the main stairway, the library occupied the site of the present offices, shops were lo- cated at the west end of both first and second floors, the gymnasium compris- ed the front half of the present cafe- teria, while the rear portion contained the heating plant. In order to get to the gymnasium, it was necessary to descend four steps from the hall, and the playing floor was obstructed by two large pillars. With the completion of these additions the cafeteria was enlarged occupying the entire space, the boiler rooms were constructed in the rear and extended to Howett Street. Manual opened in September, 1909, with an enrollment of 158 students and a faculty of twelve teachers. At its head was Mr. W. N. Brown, a man who capably filled this position until the fall of 1922. Only two of the present faculty remain, Miss Edna L. Earnest and Mr. D. C. Hilling, but these have watched with pride and satisfaction the expansion and devel- opment of the school throughout these many years. No changes were made in the per- sonnel of the faculty the second year but increases came with regularity after 1911, until in 1931, a total of 62 teachers was reached. The following year saw a decline in this number due to the transfer of a number of teachers to the newly-opened Roosevelt Junior High School. In all, the names of 174 different teachers have appeared on the Manual roster since its opening. Some of these teachers have changed to other lines of work, some have been called to render greater educational service elsewhere, and some have given their all in service to Manual. The school has felt keenly the loss of a number of instructors who were taken during their period of service: Sidney Cullings, who passed away March 17, 1927, Reba Longman, Sep- tember, 1927, Laura Patterson, Au- gust 28, 1931, Josephine Gilbert, Au- gust 1, 19325 Corienne Illingsworth, February 2 1, 1935, and Gustava Dan- ner, July 24, 1935. They will always be remembered for the willing and unselfish spirit of helpfulness they dis- played during their work for the school and student body. fContinued on page 1882

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1- Eight ---Q Peoria, in the heart of Illinois, second city of a great state, achieved her position not only by virtue of her location in the rich agricultural section, which she serves but also through her own industrial and civic enterprise as Well