Historical Sketch. 1. Our High School and the date of April 12, 1881, are strongly asso- ciated in the minds of Meriden people, as the first decisive action taken by a town meeting was at that time, but although that vote was the cause of immediate organization, yet it was likewise itself a result of earlier movements. ' The first suggestion of a school of a high grade in Meriden seems to have been made in October, 1860, and came from the board of school visitors, J. C. Howard, J. Q. Bradish, A. Camp and XV. B. Hall, a couple of years later another plea for a High School came from W. E. Benham and H. S. Jewett, but it was not until after repeated trials and struggles flittle suggested by the present prosperous condition of the schooll, including even the disbanding of a high grade school by vote immediately after its organization had been completed in October, 1866, that the efforts of the more earnest promoters-of educational interestsin Meriden culminated in final success. 'Among the names appearing in the records of preliminary efforts are Dr. G. H. Wilson, Rev. H. Farns- worth, Rev. John Parker, W. E. Benham, R. B. Perkins, Dr. Chas. H. ,S. Davis, Rev. J. T. Pettee, Rev. I. H. Chapin and Saxton B. Little. Permanent successes are generally insured by laborious efforts, and fre- quently preceded by temporary defeats, and strong elforts were con- tinued through the years '72, ,73, '74 and '75, especially by Dr. Davis' urgent pleas through the Annual Report, pressing the desirability and necessity of a high school. Rev. T. Pettee took up the argument again in his report of 1877. Cf course occasional articles appeared in the newspapers, and in time the public mind was roused until an almost unanimous vote was finally obtained to inaugurate and establish the school. ' The pupils of the public schools, however, had not been wholly withs out instruction in the higher branches, for in a number of the graded schools, Qparticularly iii the Prattsville district, under Mr. H. S. Pratt, Cena ter district, under Mr. joseph R. French, and the Corner school, under Mr. A. B. Matherl, various studies properly belonging to a high school were followed, though somewhat promiscuo-usly, and the opening scene in the newly organized school of 51 pupils, convened in the rude quarters provided at the old Turner Hall on Liberty street, September 5, 1881, is remembered by those who were present as a most amusing revelation of the diverse studies which had been pursued, as a student here and there
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