Mount Vernon High School - Hoop Pole Yearbook (Mount Vernon, IN)

Page 13 text:

ni., ..f23. . i 5-5.- f' --J: - Vp, L L V-1 ..t -S V, -. ' ' DMINISTRATION--The new high sehoolg a fond dream 'A A ' ', A realized. . .It was largely the work of the nlemhers of M ' the ndminietration, who have proved very competent. N ' i With regard to the faculty, for their eilicioncy, we have X X respect. For their years of service, we have honor. And for their friendship, we have gratitude, That they may long c-ontinue to aid the growth of our Alma Mater, this we feel, is the sincere wish of the class of '29, Nine

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New 1 ' fi. n ' W fig.. ll PORTALS-NEW HI This became so common that I-Ioop-pole County, Indeeanieu was known everywhere in the United States. In the midst of this period of coopering prosperity occurred a fight between the coopers of Mt. Vernon and a low class of river men landing at this port. It was a com- mon event for these rufiians to go into the town and to tear things up in general. The peaceful citizens, tired of this bullying element of peo- ple, united to drive them out. Armed with hoop- poles and barrel staves they encountered the riv- ermen and a battle royal ensued. The boatmen were finally beaten and in great haste they em- barked and went down the river. They pre- sented a sorry looking aspect and upon inquiry as to their plighted condition they would reply that they are a rough set at Mt. Vernon. Unfortunately the fame of this episode has spread with the fame of the hoop- poles. Hoop-pole is now used with respect and tribute, rather than with shame. Eight THE OLD CASTLE

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'Que ...35. . fdf,.. ' M. V. H. S.---OUR IDEAL Mt. Veruon's various high schools have followed the course or nature, at first like the creeping worm, then the gay butterfly. since Mt. Vernon has been large enough to have a secondary education system, more have been four high schools. Each has been bigger and better than the pre- ceding one, The iirst Mt. Vernon high school was erected in 1870, at the site where Central Building now stands .... And was affectionately called Old Cen- tral '. Rather plain in appearance-a di- mlnutive building when thought of in the terms of today, one with classes in few subjects and taught by a. small faculty . . . this was the sum total of the activi- UOLD CENTRALVY ties of the time. There was no frenzied shouting at athletic contests, there was no school paper, no annual, no social organi- zation, ostensibly at least, with their various pursuits. Although in these quiet stages the spirit of M. V. H. S. was operating. An old grad says Plus poetic quam humane locutus es - perhaps we have spoken more poetically than hu- manly , but it has been very little exaggerated on our part. But as with other things, Old Central outlived its usefulness. The Senior classes no longer consisted of only live to twelve students-so a new building took its place. This structure was the Main Street school. However it did not supply the needs long, as it was not much larger than its predecessor. It served from 1887 to 1896. Then came the third high school. This was heralded as one of the best in the state at the time of its dedication-it was to the city what the present High is. Erected at a cost of 517,000 at the corner of College Avenue and Fifth Street, it presented an imposing view . . . gingerbread it was said. Built in Gothic style, with its towers, turrets, and arched portals-it well deserved the ten- der, loving epithet of the Old Castle . 'nerr-. -' , :rv --e ffw i --.- Evil,-i f' u-...M W . , I p ,N '-1v..:?'5-H- .t:.:' Q4-1- '-- .. ' '- '-'W f . mf----' 7 be - A e ww, .r,.,...., N- . K W:.7...,..a. A G THE NEW CASTLE Ten