Princeton High School - Tiger Yearbook (Princeton, IL)

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.qlle Centennial Snger 1858-1958 SCI-ICDCDLS Beginning in 1869 the position of Superinten- dent of Schools was established. Since that time there have been seven Superintendents. They are Mr, C. P. Snow 1869-1901, Mr. M. G. Clark 1901-1906, Mr. E. G. Bridgham 1906-1907, Mr, George W. Gaylor 1907-1910, Mr. H. E. Wiiits 1919-1919, Mr. C. B. Smith 1919-1923, and Mr. George O. Smith since 1925. The first Board of Education was elected in 1872. Mr. james S. Eckels was chosen President and Mr. jacob Miller Secretary. Other members of the Board were Mr. john S. Miller, Mr. Peter lfagercrans, Mr. Charles Baldwin, and Mr. R. R. Gibbons. Not until 1892 were there any women members ot the Board. In that year Mrs. Leona Cunningham and Mrs. Elizabeth Davis were elect- ed. lirom then until the present there has always been at least one woman member, The present Board of Education includes Mr. Charles Coll, President, Mr. Perry Trimble, Secretary, Mr. Louis A. Zearing, Dr. F. Highfield, Dr. K. M. Nelson, Mr. joseph Anderson, and Mrs. Beryl Heck. Princeton's outstanding contribution to the edu- cational world was the idea of the township high school. We know that it was the first township high school in the state of Illinois and many edu- cators believe it to be the first of the kind in the United States. The movement for a high school began in the spring of 1866. On April 21 of that year a meet- ing of the citizens was held to discuss the pro- posed high school. Two days later an election was held and the present site was chosen along with a board of three directors. There was no statute in Illinois at the time authorizing the establish- ment of such a type of school so a charter was in- troduced into the State Legislature. By May, 1867 the plans for the building were completed and the following September the school opened with an enrollment of one hundred and thirty students. Much of the success of the new school was due to the fine leadership of Mr. A. L. Boltwood, the first Principal. In 1894 the building was enlarged and re- modeled and again in 1908. The school was grow- ing rapidly and everything running smoothly when on December 15, 1924 the fire broke out and the old school was no more. Classes were held in the City Hall, the Mission and Christian Churches, the Post Office, and the School Annex. Out of the fire, like the Phoenix of fable, arose a new beautiful building of which the community is justly proud. Today the enrollment exceeds four hundred with a faculty of twenty-one. Courses are offered Linder six general groups which are English Lan- guage, English Scientific, General, General Com- mercial, Commercial Stenographic, Vocational Ag- riculture, and Vocational Home Economics. The school is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and has been placed on the accredited list of a large number of eastern schools. Spring is always a time of love- liness on our campus. Lilac Court symbolizes the beauty that pervades the whole.

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.Ente Clenfenniaf gnger 1858-1958 BUCK TWG From school to school we go as we take each forward step in our education. Beginning in any one of the three grades, depending where we live, we gain the elemental needs of our education. Then we pass to the Junior High located in the Logan building. Last but not least we ar- rive at the High School, from which four years later we leave with our much coveted diploma to begin life. RINCETON is justly proud of its schools and rightly so. From the earliest days education has been one of the main emphases. At the time of its incorporation school was held in the basement of the Hampshire Colony Church. Private schools were also held in homes until the formation of a definite school system. According to the records the first public school was legally authorized in 1851. The first school was located on the site of the present Lincoln school and was known as the South Union School. It was a two-room school and is supposed to have been erected by john H. Bry- ant and james Everett. Apparently no records had been kept before 1857. In that year a meeting was held and H. P. Farwell was employed as Principal at a salary of seven hundred dollars. The school year was divided into three terms, spring, winter and fall. Early in 1901 the school was destroyed by fire and the present Lincoln School was erected. The second school was the North Union School or Depot School. Later the name was changed to Douglas. The coming of the C. B. 8: railroad had caused the population to move to the north and thus created the need for a school in that sec- tion. The building was ready for use in the fall of 1879. By this time the educational needs had increased and Mr. C. P. Snow had been employed as Superintendent of the city schools at a salary of 551300. The highest salaried teacher received 3500. The third building is what is now known as the Logan School although it did not have that name until 1901. The building was voted in 1878 but was not constructed until ten years later. In 1923 a movement to transfer the eighth grade from the High School to the grade system resulted in the creation of a junior High School in the Logan building. A few years later the present building was constructed.

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CN C' Jlle Centennial .Jiger 1858-IQ58 CLASS GF 1938 One hundred years ago today an ambitious little unincorporated village replaced what is now known as the city of Princeton. Rather insignifi- cant though sure of importance and growth, it be- gan the steady climb to the top. Four years ago an ambitious little group of incorporated Freshmen took the place of those who are now known as Seniors.'l We, too were rather insignificant but were eager for our ascent to the high crest. Life was new to us and oh so grand! With so many rooms to remember, so many Sophomores to avoid and so many things to look forward to the Freshies began worrying about burning the candle at both ends I Realizing such possible pit-falls the problem of organizing presented itself as a gift bestowed only on these favorite bewildered children. Because of his tower of strength and protective abilities Homer Raker seemed the best head of the house for this huge family. To reign and assist him with such charges Betty Horton was chosen to mother us. Though we seldom heard the minutes Max Kasbeer had unlimited abilities as our secretary to say nothing of the great financier, Walter Neill. Miss Turner and Mr. Lowry were given the honor of being our god parents. The second step of the small village came some- time later when it became an Incorporated Village. Likewise the Freshmen advanced a year to the class of Sophomores, those people who know what its all about and enjoy letting the Freshies know it. With the departure of Miss Turner, Miss Cecile Malsbury moved in step with Mr. Lowry to con- trol the lusty troup and Carolyn McManis received the robe of Presidency with james Tedrow for stooge or in her absence the title of Vice President, Secretary john Swan, a man of affairs, and Jeanne Kasbeer to play with the coins. This year's most important event was the Sopho- more banquet. The theme was the song Beautiful Blue Danube which was sung by our own Shadow Cable and also songs by Margaret Simp- son. Parties seemed gayer and more grown-uppish as we became a year older. Now it was a city with the aldermanic form of government. On and on the village goes with few faltering steps and eyes ever upward. Three years in high school seemed to have made us a bit trying. It seemed we had worn out first Miss Turner and then Miss Malsbury, but now Miss Bell with an I-can-take-it look in her eyes lifts the burden from Mr. Lowry who has had to grin and bear it faithfully these past years. Francis Bouxsein played his master hand at President with john Cable as Vice President, Marjorie Thomas, Secretary, Carolyn McManis, Treasurer. Bringing to the surface our talents the juniors presented in November, 1937, The Whole Town's Talkingl' under guidance of Mr. Frank P. Delay. Thoroughly assured of our position in so- ciety the class dressed formally to attend the junior-Senior Prom, a marked gala occasion. At last it seemed the village had succeeded, for in March it wore its honor and advancement full upon its breast as flags adorned its streets and pride filled its heart. It is now under commis- sion form of government but is still as ambitious as that unincorporated village a hundred years back. So, too, must all good things end and hearts grow heavy as the close draws near. Now we are Seniors and the years have fled since that first September morn in 1934. To lead us this last year we looked to Martha Zearing as President and Dallas Prather as Vice President, Marjorie Thomas Secretary, and Loretta Brown Treasurer. Miss Bell and Mr. Lowry receive our admiring devotion for their faithful and helpful service. The Senior play, The Ghost Flies Southl' was directed by Miss Constance Nicholas and was a success from the minute the curtains opened. Visions of a cap and gown meet our gaze as the last junior-Senior Prom we shall attend passes. The Baccalaureate, and lastly it drifts from a vision to reality as Commencement looms forth. Hearts are fainter, school days sweeter as the classes intermingle, for the Commencement dance. The 'lTiger is published and the days ahead are quite as bewildering as when we took our first Freshmen steps. Fond memories are tied with pink and blue ribbons and laid away to always be re- membered. AJ we wel, Wfe 11111.17 part, Eye! are wel, Sad om' hearty. -MARGARET SiMPsoN