Versailles High School - Portal Yearbook (Versailles, OH)

Page 7 text:

THE VERSAILLES Page 7 “THE VERSAILLES” As we look at our building here, What makes it to us so dear? Why will it linger in our memory long, And never be forgotten when gone ? Is it the outward appearance, grand, That is going to make it stand ? Is it that we can see from without, About which we shall always shout? No, this will not linger long; It will soon be forgotten and gone. But things which we did while here, Will always be to us most dear. The lives that this building turns out, About these we can always shout; Let us boast of these men and women fine Who shall always stand the storms of time. Our aim in education is not buildings sublime, These will all come in course of time; It is rather to instill character in the minds of those Upon whose backs these doors shall close. We should be proud of our building new, For we know any better there are but few. Yet let us be prouder of the work within, Which is helping to rid the world of sin. Mr. Elliott.

Page 9 text:

THE VERSAILLES Page 9 THE HISTORY OF VERSAILLES Having decided to change the name of our Annual, we think it appropriate to give a short historical sketch of Versailles and Wayne Township. Prior to the year 1800, many Indians roamed over the territory that is now Darke County, and a number of these had their camp in Wayne Township. “Mad Anthony” Wayne, after whom the township was named, was instrumental in ridding the county of Indians, and by the Treaty of Greene Ville in 1795. opened up the whole North-West to settlement by the whites. The year 1805 marks the time when a number of people from near the present site of Pleasant Hill, Miami County, Ohio, made their way up the Stillwater River, to Swamp Creek, and up Swamp Creek to the place that was in the future to be Versailles. The village was laid out in proper form in 1819 by Silas Atchison, one of the land owners, and was known by the name of Jacksonville, being named after Andrew Jackson, then a war hero and later President of the United States. The early pioneers soon found the need of churches and schools, and in the year when the town was laid out, a Baptist Church was built in the south-west part of the township, and is said to have been the second in the county. A Christian Church was organized in 1821 by Rev. Samuel Kyle of near Piqua, and at the time was known as the New Light Denomination. This building was located on the lot where is now Black Swamp Cemetery; several other buildings have been in use by this denomination, and at present they have one of the best church buildings in town. A Catholic Church was erected in 1838 on the lot where is now St. Valbert Cemetery, and its first pastor was Rev. Father Louis Navarron, a native of Canada. Settlers from Russia, Frenchtown and Jacksonville worshiped in this structure until about 1849, when each of the three towns decided to have a church of its own. Th first local church was located on the rear of the lot now owned by Mrs. E. C. Manier, and was once used as a Baptist Church. In 1888 the present brick building was erected, and since then numerous improvements have been made, and today it is one of the best in the community. A Methodist Church wa s next organized, the year being 1847; in 1883, the present brick building was erected and dedicated, under the pastorate of the late M. M. Markwith. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, located in the south-east part of the township, was organized and the church building erected before the early sixties, and for many years it was a prosperous and growing church. At present services are held there once a year. In the beautiful cemetery adjoining, sleep many of the early pioners who settled the south part of the township. The Webster M. E. Church was organized in the pioneer days of that village, and at present services are held at regular intervals. Trinity Lutheran Church was another of the early churches to have our attention. This organization dates back to before the Civil War, and today is one of the strongest churches in the northern part of the county. Several build-