West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
WEST LIBERY HIGH SCHOOL

The West Liberty high school is one of the oldest in the state, probably organized in 1872 and originally housed in the center part of the school building on Clay street, or what is known as the West building. This particular building was probably built in 1867; the west wing was added in 1871, and the east wing in 1873. About the time when the probability of a high school was apparent the School Board let a contract for twenty-eight double seats for the upper room.

In 1877, the citizens voted to spend $6000.00 to buy a lot and erect a new high school building. The site of the present high school was purchased for $1,000.00. The other $5,000.00 was used in construction and equipment of a two story building. The second floor, a main room and recitation room was for the high school, and the first floor for the grammer grades. This building had a furnace to heat the big rooms, but a stove was used in the recitation room. Shade trees were planted, a well dug, and a new four board fence replaced the rail fence.

At this period expenses increased; new wood boxes were made, clocks repaired, an organ rented, and a janitor hired for $7.50 per month to look after this new building. Horace E. Deemer (late Chief Justice of State of Iowa) was the janitor, and later when he was given a raise, it was specified that he would do the scrubbing of floors and any repair work without extra charge.

In 1891 the attic of the school building was decorated and equipped with chairs and lamps to be used as the high school hall for literary programs, etc. In 1902 electric lights were installed, two fire escapes in 1903, and a telephone added in 1904.

The West building on Clay street was enlarged and remodeled in 1905, the high school moved there and the grades transferred to the east building. This was the home of the high school until 1918. The number of recitation rooms was increased and a modern system of heating and plumbing was installed. In 1907 the electric lights were added. Many will remember the long dining hall and recreation room, the landing with the bell rope handy which George Wright, aged janitor for many years, let the children ring, before the building was remodeled.

In the sprinf of 1912, a frame building was erected in the front yard of the West School building, to make room for the modern equipment to be used in the new courses to be added, Home Economics, Manual Training and Agriculture. This was commonly called the " Sheep Shed " and was used until the building of the present high school building. Miss Ossie Wilson was the first Home Economics teacher, Ray A. Bell had charge of the Agriculture and Principal W. J. Shirley had the Manual Training.

The complete destruction by fire of the East building in 1916, made it necessary that a new building be erected. Two bond issues for raising of $92,000.00 were authorized and the present high school building with all the latest equipment was built on the site of the demolished grade building and was completed for the graduation of the class of 1918.

The first class to graduate was in 1875, and consisted of two young ladies, Miss Wilma Evans and Miss Emma Henderson. The high school continued to be a three year course until 1901. Lewis L. Hill was instrumental in getting the course changed to four years, and the first class to graduate from this course was under Supt. E. F. Schall in 1901.

In 1875 the classes were called "A", "B", "C" or the "Graduating Class", "The Smart Class" and the "Big Class".

Rules and regulations of the school were printed in a course of study made out by the board rather than delegated to the superintendent and principal. The board attended the final examinations which were oral. For a short period of years they attended both high school and grade examinations.

In 1885 shorthand was taught to a few pupils and German was added to the course of study. Singing had been taught since 1880, but drawing didn't start until 1892. In 1896, Miss Elizabeth Shipman introduced a new course in music, and a piano was purchased in 1901.

In 1887 the first reference library was started when Johnston's Encyclodedia was purchased. From time to time gifts of books were made to the school and purchases at different times, until the library of today is very commendable.

By 1900, two courses were regularly offered to high school pupils, German and Latin, or Latin and English. In 1912 the school board added domestic science and agriculture in the spring of 1912 they were notified that the school would be designated as a Normal Training High School and eligible to receive state aid. The late Supt. Macy Campbell, famous in state and nation as a progressive educator, was very influential in bringing about these additions to our course of study, putting West Liberty in the forefront of high schools adopting vocational education.

The years between 1917 and 1938 have shown great strides taken in additional extra-curricular activities; development in the field of music, agriculture, normal training, journalism, athletics, inter-school contests, business course, Girl Reserve, Pep Club, Latin Club, Home Ec. Club, declamatory work.

During the World War, the German course was dropped from the course of study, leaving five courses available: Colege Preparatory, Agriculture, Commercial, Normal Training, and Home Management.

In 1921 the Independent District of West Liberty was organized. The districts of Prairie Grove, North Prairie in Muscatine and Cedar Counties, and the Hartupee Independent districts were consolidated with West Liberty. School buses were bought and the enrollment increased.

ELSIE M. HOLMES

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