Monmouth High School - Maroon and Gold Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

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History of Monmouth High School lMany, many years ago, in 1870 to be exact, the board of education made a motion to continue the high school, The first real existence of high school was in 1888, at which time only three subjects, Latin, Algebra, and Rhetoric, were offered in room 12 of the Central building. The next year the Work was con- tinued through the tenth grade, and at the close of 1890, nine students graduated. As the enrollment grew, the course was lengthened to three years. June 10, 1898, saw 34 students graduate after completing the first four year course. As classes grew, so did the school, until finally it took up the second and third floors of Central with the science classes being held in the basement. The high school moved from the old Central building in the fall of 1911 when the new high school was opened for 396 students. This building was dedicated on Sep- tember 28, 1911. The cost for construction of this building was S152,000.00. A few lines from the principal's report at the close of the first year's use of the new building in 1912 is of real interest. The Monmouth high school is not only modern but complete since beginning September, 1911. Its building is a beautiful structure, well adapted to high school purposes and was completed in August, 1911, at the cost of about S152,000. The equipment of the high school is probably as good and complete as can be found in the country. The school is planned, built and equipped with a large vision of the future before them. Bob-sled parties, moonlight picnics, and games played in the gym composed the social functions in those days. Forensics played an important part in the school activities during the early 1900'sg Monmouth taking many firsts in declamation, essays, and oration. The high school, at one time, tried to imitate the college by having a pole-scrap. The attempt was, however, disastrous for they used a new flag pole, and the rope was cut leaving the colors up there with no way of getting them down. The first senior class play and giving of a class memorial was started by the class of 1903. In 1904 a literary society was organized and the Girls' Glee club was found- ed. The first school paper, the Magnet, was published in 1905, and the first annual was issued by the 1905-06 class. The Clipper, our present publication has been con- tinuously published since 1909. Football and basketball were the main sports at that time, but it was difficult to keep up interest in basketball. ln 1913, by putting on their greatest achievement of the early days, Pageant of Months, the high school raised the money for the tennis courts. When the war came, many of the activities decreased. The school did its part in Red Cross work by making clothes for the soldiers. Country students were excused too, that they might work on the farm. In 1930, the first annual homecoming began, with the addition of the Pep rally in 1935. In the late summer of 1938, it was announced that an addition to the school would be built. The work began in the fall of 1938, and the addition was finished this summer. The addition, which consists of several new classrooms, a library, a gym, and a remodeled auditorium cost approximately S237,000. Today our school has the offer- ing of 48 subjects for its students to choose from.

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New Addition Dedicated 0For a number of years the Board of Education and the citizens of Monmouth have realized the crowded conditions that prevailed in Monmouth high school. Thereafter a great deal of discussion and preliminary planning occurred prior to when the structure was actually started. On August 13, 1938 notice was received that the federal government had allocated 45 per cent of the construction costs or S106,360 for the purpose of making addi- tions and alterations to the Monmouth high school building. A bond issue was pre- sented to the citizens of Monmouth on the question of authorizing the remaining amount of money. This bond received a favorable vote something more than four to one. Bids were opened to contractors and on October 10 the general contract was awarded to Pere Anderson and Company of Chicago for the sum of S215,000. When this new building was completed, naturally the townspeople were eager to view the new educational facilities. A dedicational program was planned during which time 1,686 visitors were taken on a tour of the building. The address was given by A. W. Cleavenger, University of Illinois, high school visitor. Other speakers included C. S. Peacock, president of the school boardg Roy Fetherston, superinten- dent of the public schoolsg and Dean Cleland of Monmouth college. City Attorney E. P. Fields spoke in behalf of Mayor Earl McKinnon. Preceding the dedication speaking program, 45 members of the high school band played three numbers. Miss Ruth Yenerich, musical supervisor, sang a vocal selec- tion. COMPLIMENTS OF Illinois Bankers Life Assurance Company MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS