Princeton High School - Tiger Yearbook (Princeton, IL)

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.. XQ 1iiE35Erg' 6 I- jsfgisigglemfi Yi Historq of P. H. S. EGINNING WITH THE discovery and settlement of the American Con- tinent, education has made a continuous and triumphal march. Our civilization has always stood for the up-building of human society and the elevation of the race. No state has added more to this advance in civilization than our own beloved Illinois. Illinois can feel a just pride in the wonderful strides she has made in almost every phase of her history. An ideal school system is the great basis for the development of better and more efficient manhood and womanhood. The firm and unyielding Pil- grim Fathers, who first settled this community realized the need of an educa- tion for their children. There was much discussion and the matter finally cry- stallized into the high school movement, which practically began on March I, I866, when an editorial appeared in the Bureau County Republican advocat- ing a high school in Princeton. The next week a letter appeared in the same paper from H. Bryant. Three weeks later the general plan for the es- tablishment and support of the proposed high school was formulated and given to the public. This document gave seven reasons why Princeton should organize a high school and was signed by F. W. Waller, George Crossley and Mathew Trimble, school trustees. The seven reasons given, were as follows: I. The absolute necessity existing for a High School. 2. The impossibility under the existing state of things to carry into practical effect any systematic grading of our schools. 3. The demands of the time require the establishment of a High School, and it is the earnest desire of a large portion of tax payers that such a school should be provided and maintained under the best management and facilities for its successful career. 4. The time has come when a High School House can be built without imposing any serious burden on tax payers. 5. A High School will be of incalculable benefit to the town and surrounding country, and will be, when in operation, in a great measure self-sustaining. 6. The establish- ment of such a High School district is not in conflict with the spirit of the school laws, and has the sanction and hearty approval of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. That all necessary local legislation can be procured, at the next session of the legislature, to carry into effect, and legalize, any proper action the town may adopt. 7. That the school will be of equal value to the citizens of the towns, and a source of just pride and satisfaction to all. A meeting was held at the court house on April 21, IS66. It was well- attended and the sentiment in favor of the High School seemed almost unani- mous. A committee of seven was chosen to carry out the plan. The following named gentlemen were selected: Rev. F. Bascom, T. Thompson, Chritz- man, S. C. Paddock, W. C. Stacy, J. H. Bryant and J. V. Thompson. Another meeting was held April 23, IB66 in regard to raising money and to decide the size and architecture of the new building. The legislature passed an Act on February 5, I86 7, which placed all the land in Princeton Township and any Page Ten

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iiiifmjigiii D T' I3EiiEEil2W?5i:7J Yr land that may be added in the future into one High School district and appoint- ed the first board of education, consisting of John H. Bryant, Rev. F. F. Bascom, Jacob Chritzman, Mathew Trimble and George O. lde. The building and fixtures were completed at a cost of about sixty thous- and dollars, and would accommodate three hundred pupils. The money was raised by the sale of township bonds, some of which were sold here, some were taken by the contractors, while others were taken by Mr. Bryant to New York where he raised S30,000. All these bonds were redeemed as they fell dueg one year the sum of 520,000 was raised. The campus comprised about ten acresg the sum of S1200 being paid to l. Carpenter for the south half of the school lot, and four or five years later S1200 more was paid to secure the entire block for school purposes. The High School of Princeton opened its doors to the public in Septem- ber l867 with I30 pupils and H. L. Boltwood as principal. This was the first township high school in the state and was organized under a special charter. The provisions of the charter were so complete in every detail that the school has been successfully carried on under it since without any further change. Among the men who were most active in establishing this High School and whose names appear upon the records as committees and managers of the enterprise, we would mention: John H. Bryant, Flavel Bascom, George O. lde, S. G. Paddock, Mathew Trimble, J. V. Thompson, T. Thompson, W. C. Stacy, jacob Chritzman, F. W. Waller and Dr. George Crossley. All these now sleep in the city of the dead, but the result of their labors lives on, and here we may say: Men die but institutions live. ln I894 the building was remodeled and enlarged and was then a thoroughly modern and up-todate school in apparatus and equipment. lt had three laboratories and a catalogued library of many volumes. Commercial and domestic science departments were added to the course, and so it stood in every respect a model institution of learning. During the summer of i908 the building was again remodeled to meet the requirements of a greatly increased enrollment. The study hall was en- larged to nearly double its former capacityg the laboratories were made larger and were equipped with new furniture of the most modern kind. Two new recitation rooms, and two large cloak rooms were also added. The entire building was redecorated and made as attractive and cheerful as possible. lt would at this time accommodate four hundred pupils. The lawn with its stately elms and maples gave ample room for all kinds of athletic sports. School life seemed much better now and every year young men and women graduated from Princeton High, destined to go out into this great world of ours and make their own way. As the years went by the number of pupils gradually increased, until the number attending reached the four- hundred mark. The library grew larger and larger with every year. There were books for almost every occasion. The people realized that next to the accumulation of honest and respectable friends comes the reading of good books. Friend- Page Twelve