Providence High School - Providencia Yearbook (Providence, KY)

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ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF SCHOOLS IN PROVIDENCE It is said that the first school of which there is any knowledge in Providence was established in the summer of 1819, and was held in a rough log cabin. The town and surrounding country were sparsely settled, and pupils were few and far between. The building, about sixteen feet square, was built of round logs and covered with clapboards. One half of the Hoor was covered with planks hewn from logs, and the other half was naked earth. The equipment was very simple and primi- tive. A wide plank, placed along one side of the building and supported by pegs driven into auger holes, served as a desk for those far enough advanced to take writing lessons. The seats were split logs, with stakes driven into auger holes for legs. A rough table behind which the master sat in stem dignity, switch and book in hand, completed the furniture of the school. Among the first teachers of whom there is any record, the following may be mentioned: Philip Matthews, Nathan Hibbs, Francis Peyton, William Elder, Lorenzo Dow Orr, William James, Simeon Palmer, James D. Palmer, Misses Marian Bowers, Mary J. Woodson, Augusta Sittler, Cecil Gist, and Helen Smith. In 1860 Reverend Nicholas Lacy of Christian County established a select school for boys and girls. For this school a brick building was erected on what is now South Broadway near the site of Mr. Clay Palmer's present home. This building was razed in 1880. Professor W. S. Coleman of Greenville, Kentucky, who had taught in the South Broadway building since 1869, erected a building of his own on the pres- ent site of the Broadway Graded School. This school, which was chartered and conferred diplomas, was called the Male and Female Academy. Professor J. Y. Brown purchased the school from Professor Coleman and conducted it for several years. Another school well-patronized locally as well as by many from nearby counties was the boarding school conducted from 1880 to 1887 by Mrs. Myra Montgomery and Miss Rosa Montgomery fnow Mrs. N. B. Haysl. It was known as the Boys and Girls Home School. A teacher of blessed memory to many of her pupils is Miss Sallie McKinstrey, now Mrs. L. M. Baker, who taught a kindergarten and primary school on East Main Street from 1886 to 1890. The first public school in this locality was taught in 1860 by Joseph Nichols. In the following years other public schools were well attended, but it was not until May, 1907, that the first graded school of Providence was organized. On December 30, 1907, this graded school, located on South Broadway, opened its doors for the reception of pupils, with Professor A. P. Thomas as superin- tendent. The first board of trustees was composed of J. G. Gist, Robert L. Price, David Browning, Robert L. Forsythe, and Thomas W. Dorris. Professor Thomas was succeeded by Professors C. C. Miller, S. E. Hancock, and A. L. Morgan. In 1916, Professor Morgan selected the designs for the Cedar Street School, and the building was erected in 1917. Professor W. Fred Hume became super- intendent in 1917, and four rooms of the unfinished building were used for classes in the 1917-1918 school term. The new building was used as a grade school until 1922, at which time it became the high school building. Mr. J. L. Chambers was superintendent. Mr. Chambers was succeeded by Professors L. P. J ones and W. H. Sugg. For the last rl:-:ing ygirs She schools have been under the capable leadership of Superintendent . . ar . 4

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E Drsnlcrmz . . . this edition of the Providencia to the city of Providence in commemoration of its centennial an- niversary. We are proud of the growth of our city with its splendid business section, advanced educa- tional system, and modern living conditions. Il lip' 'lil ll Il ll f lTt

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OPXWMW' ,WW if Wm JV Lola Cf .WM Superintendent of Schools WW Board Member DR. A. H. ELLIS E. R. WARD Board Member ERNEST MARTIN Board Member A. J. FORTENB1-:RRY Board Member J. E. PALMER Principal L. A. TRAYLOR