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 LIBERTY SCHOOL

1839---1938! A Centennial for West Liberty---and almost a Centennial for her schools.

Most people today take, as a matter of fact, that West Liberty has a good school system. That is true and we are proud of it. However, the majority do not stop to realize that it has taken a long period of time---even as long as ninety-nine years--- along with the tireless efforts of West Liberty's settlers and others, to make our schools what they are today.

The authorities for this are many and varied. Chief among these are two West Liberty papers published in 1885 and 1889 which contained a brief history of the schools until that time. Other valuable information was obtained from some of West Liberty's earlier inhabitants, including Howell Hise, of Colorado Springs, Mrs. Amelia Kimball, Mrs. Eugenia Probst, Miss Mary Brooke, Mrs. Lucy B. Nichols, and others whose parents and relatives were among the earliest settlers here. To these people and George Hise, who helped so much by locating material in old papers for us, we are deeply appreciative and grateful.

The first school was established in 1839 in a log cabin on the Elijah Hogue farm ( Preston Brown farm, at present ) under the leadership of Valentine Bozarth. One reference states that a Miss Vienna Winchester first taught the school and was succeeded by Mr. Bozarth.

Valentine Bozarth's school was a small log cabin which stood in the edge of a small brush thicket near the place where Preston Brown's barn now stands. The cabin was very cold, the roof being composed of rough clapboards and quite open. The door was of the same material hung on wooden hinges which squeaked like a hand organ when the door was opened.

Following Valentine Bozarth as teachers were Elijah Younkin, and S. T. Chesebro who opened his school in 1840. All of these were select schools.

The first regular public school was owned by Asa Gregg on Section 2, about 40 rods west of the Elijah Hogue residence. The school was opened in 1843 in a comfortable frame building which was later moved into the present West Liberty and is believed to have become a part of an elevator building.

In these early schools many everlasting customs, peculiar to pioneer days, were found. For noon lunch, the children had corn bread and fat meat. They warmed themselves by chasing rabbits and when the teacher returned from lunch, the boys would have the floor torn up. Mr. Bozwarth would have to wait until they captured the rabbit and put the floor back in place before school could continue.

The next public schools of which more is known were located on Spencer street. One, the " little school," stood where the George Schafer residence now is. The unpainted school was a small one-story building of one room, 25 by 40 feet. There were windows on two sides but not on the ends. The entrance was through a small lobby where caps and other wraps were put and also where the water pail and dipper were kept.

One of the first teachers of this school was Mary Minnick, a Quaker lady, who said " thee" and " thou." It was mostly a school for beginners. The Polders children were among the first pupils to attend that school.

One day Mrs. Kimball (Amelia Polders) was studying, a band of Indians came to the school and wanted everything they could see, even the pupil's clothing. After many refusals of their requests, they were persuaded to leave peaceably.

Next to the " little school," on Spencer street was a larger school located where the Hawker home is. It was two stories high but had only one room on the ground floor. Some of the teachers employed in this building were Miss Childs, Etta Raymond and Cina Ingham. One authority suggests the possibility that this school became a part of some residence in West Liberty, possibly the Hawker home.

For a short time, the old Presbyterian chapel was used for school purposes. It is also generally agreed that a school stood in the vicinity of the Flora Hinkhouse home near the Presbyterian church, but no definite information of this school was obtained.

In 1864, the West Liberty schools began to take more definite shape with the event of this becoming an independent district. At the time two teachers were employed at a salary of $25 a month. Each teacher had about 25 pupils. At times, the school board members were financially so " hard-up" that they were forced to borrow as small an amount as $100. However since 1864 rapid strides have been made in enlarging and financing the schools.

During this period of time, select schools were quite common, which lessened the number of public school pupils.

The original grade and high school building was constructed at the site of the present grade school in 1868. The building has since been remodeled and is now the grade school.

West Liberty high school held its first commencement on the afternoon of May 7, 1875, in the high school room of the West school. The members of the class were Miss Wilma Evans and Miss Emma Henderson. Although the diplomas did not arrive, the graduates had their commencement anyway. They gave their two orations, which as many of you recall, was the custom of that period and the years following.

In 1875 there were three classes in high school called "A ", "B", and "C'. The high school is believed therefore, to have been organized as a three year course in the year 1872.

The course of study for 1878 divided the school year into Fall, Winter and Spring terms. The subjects taught in the first year of high school corresponded closely to those taught in eighth drade today.

Less than two years after the first commencement, the number of high school students had increased to a number which demanded more space and equipment. It was in 1877 that a high school building was erected on the present site of the high school building. This was a two-story building which was used for high school and grammer grades.

From 1877 to 1905, the high school was located in the building at the end of Spencer street. As the high school enrollment increased, the grammer grades were moved to the West building.

The curriculum of the school was improved and added to as the school's enrollment increased. Student organizations and societies were developed and the activities of the school were numerous. Outstanding among the organizations were the literary societies. Along with these improvements, the number of faculty members increased.

By the year 1905, the crowded conditions of the schools made it imperative to either remodel and enlarge a school or build a new school. After much discussion, it was agreed upon to rebuild the West school as a high school and repair the east building for grade use. The West building was equipped with the best of steam heating plants and in 1907, electric lights were added.

From 1906 until 1916, the high school was housed in the West building. During this time, through the efforts of Supt. Macy Campbell, the agriculture and home economics courses were begun. To accommodate these classes, a small frame building was erected on the grounds of the West school. The year after the addition of vocational courses, the enrollment of the high school increased by a great number.

By 1914, the high school offered complete courses in Latin, German, home economics, agriculture, and normal training with a faculty of nine teachers beside the superintendent to present the courses.

The school advanced so rapidly from 1905 on, that it would be difficult to make known all the improvements. By 1914 and 1915, the supposedly ample quarters for housing students were greatly crowded and it seemed that a new plan for providing space would have to be devised. However, the destruction of the East building by fire in 1916 assured the need of a new building and bonds for financing the building were authorized. Work was begin immediately and our modern, well-equipped high school is the result.

Needless to say in this history is the fact that the grade school was moved to the West building and the new building of 1916 was and is used for the high school and junior high school.

In 1921, the West Liberty Independent District was extendedto include three nearby districts. This increased the enrollment.

From this point on, West Liberty's school history is generally well-known. Pages could be written to tell of the many activities and organizations of the school. Each year, new clubs are organized, new records set. and new goals reached. We are proud of our school and its development. At present our school has about 500 pupils and a faculty of 21 teachers. West Liberty's school is outstanding in music, athletics, dramatic work, and many other fields of endeavor.

1839-1938! Ninety-nine years of West Liberty's school history.

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