LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Its schools have always been "The Pride of Carrollton". Even back in 1852, when the severely plain two-story frame school house, with four school rooms and a little square belfry on top, was erected on the southeast corner of the block on which the county jail was built seven years later.
Schools there were of a sort, back in the early days of the village, the "loud school" in which the pupils all studied aloud in a babel of confusion. Julius Willard conducted a school on more civilized lines and introduced the use of a blackboard. These early schools were sustained solely by subscription, parents paying a quarterly fee for tuition.
The first public school in Carrollton was opened in the fall of 1850, by William Bartle, afterwards a Presbyterian minister, whose strong anti-slavery views led to his discharge.
John Russell, who had previously won distinction as author and educator, and had been editor of the firstnews-paper in Greene County, was the second principal of the school. He opened the school in the fall of 1851 and was assisted by Henry Bonfoy, with Miss E. J. Gunning in charge of the "female" department.
In January 1852, a new building was dedicated, with an address by Judge Woodson. The severely plain two-story frame school house, with four school rooms and a little square belfry on top, was erected on the southeast corner of the block on which the county jail was built seven years later.
The public school of that period, and for several years afterward, was modeled after the old academy system, and was very unlike the present grade school. Little attention was given to primary education, more stress being made upon Latin, Greek, French, Geometry, etc. Tuition fees, varying from $1.00 to $4.00 per quarter, were charged, but those who lived in the district received the benefit of the school first. The school must have been supported largely from tuition payments, as it appears from the records that not until 1855 was the school tax regularly levied.
In 1855, David G. Peabody was employed as principal, with a salary of $600.00, and his sister, Miss Hannah G. Peabody, was his assistant. The latter continued as a teacher here for 31 years, and many who became prominent in Carrollton affairs were her pupils.
Charles K. Gilchrist, later a distinguished jurist of Utah, was principal in 1857-58. He was succeeded by Dr. Justus Bulkley, later of Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, who taught h.ere two winters. Francis W. Parker made the start of a famous career in education, as principal of the school in 1860. He resigned to go into the Civil War, and later originated what was known as the "Quincy System" at Quincy, Massachusetts; afterward was principal of the Cook County Normal of Chicago. Alfred Harvey, also taught and became widely known in later years.
The public endured the proximity of the county jail on an adjacent corner for eleven years. In 1870, the second school was erected on the present school grounds. Measured by architectural standards of that time, it was a magnificent building, three stories, a basement and a mansard roof. Itcost $44,000.00. It continued to be looked on with pride for eighteen years, and then on the night of November 16, 1888, it burned.
Going back to the beginning of that eighteen year period, Joseph Dobbin, then principal, transferred the pupils to that building in January 1871. W. H. Wilson was principal in the school year of 1871-1872.
In 1872, E. A. Doolittle became principal, and effected the complete organization of the High School. He continued at the head of the school for seven years. Following Mr. Doolittle, J. S. Kenyon was principal for three years, and in 1882 he was succeeded by David Felmley, who had been assistantprinoipal under him. Mr. Felmley continued as principal for eight years, resigning in 1890 to accept the chair of mathematics in the State Normal University, of which institution he was afterward president for a number of years.
Fire destroyed the building in 1888, and steps were taken at once to replace it with a more modern structure. With $16,875.00 from insurance, $12,000.00 in bonds, voted by the people, and Principal Felmley superintending the job, the board of education erected a new building.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Felmley in 1890, Clyde Stone was promoted from the position of first assistant to that of principal, continuing as head of the school for nine years. He is the only graduate of the High School who ever attained that position. He was a member of the class of 1883 and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1888.
In 1895, the erection of Loomis Observatory marked an important epoch in the history of the High School. Mr. L. W. Loomis, a member of the board of education, offered to give for the use of the school the fine, seven inch lens telescope which he was then completing, provided a suitable building was erected to contain it. The offer was accepted and Loomis Observatory, a stone and brick structure was erected.
From 1899 to 1903, the school was in charge of E. A. Thomhill. Up to this time the High School course covered only three years, with an additional year for students taking Latin. Under Mr. Thornhill the course was raised to a full four years, with German added.
A. B. Carroll followed Mr. Thornhill for one year, and was succeeded by J. R. Sparks, who was the first to be officially styled "Superintendent", the title of "Principal" now falling to the first assistant. During Mr. Sparks' regime of two years (1905 and 1906) manual training and domestic science were introduced into the curriculum.
In the fall of 1907, Mr. E. A. Doolittle consented to return to the position he had resigned 26 years before to enter law practice. Many of his former pupils believed that his return saved the prestige of the school.
The school ran along smoothly for thirteen more years under Superintendent Doolittle, making a total of twenty years as head of the school.
T. H. Cobb became Superintendent in the fall of 1919 and served three years. During the next eight years Superintendents were: J. G. Pollard, 1922-1923; H. H. Davis, 1923-1924; E. T. Jackson, 1 924-1 927; Reuben Eber, 1927-1929; P. M. Tinsley, 1929-1930.
The need for more room was felt more than a dozen years ago. In May 1926, the contract was let for a large addition to the building, 45 x 125 feet. This addition nearly doubled the High School assembly room, provided a large gymnasium, used for entertainments, commencements, etc., domestic science and other class rooms and numerous other improvements.
Superintendents since 1930 include: 1930-1940, Abel A. Hanson 1940-1941, Olin W. Stead (Resigned to serve in theArmed Forces during World War II. 1942-1943, William R. Lowrey 1944-1946, Arbon Wetzel 1947-1959, Olin W. Stead
In 1952 the Carrollton and Eldred Schools were consolidated. The Community Unit District 1 takes care of students from Carrollton, Eldred (a community nine miles distant) and all the surrounding country students.
The first grade school was built in Mt. Gilead community, which was dedicated in 1955. This school was used until 1961. It is presently used as a Nursing Home.
The present Carrollton Community Unit High School, a new, modern building, was dedicated in 1956.
The old high school was torn down. The addition built in 1928, was left standing. To this, a new addition was added in 1961, which is now the Carrollton Grade School.
Louis Schrieter, the presentSuperintendent, was employed in 1959.
Present School Board Members are:
Paul Pressler, President
Neil Carter Mrs. Robert Reynolds Jake Claflin Paul Hindelang Henry Cordes, Jr. Melvin Greer
EDUCATION TODAY
Our community has three fine educational institutions, consisting of two elementary schools and one large high school which takes care of students from Carrollton, Eldred (a community nine miles distant) and all the surrounding country students.
Carrollton Grade School First built as an addition to the old Carrollton School in 1956 when grade and high school buildings were separated. The one-story addition was added in 1961 and old part razed.
Catholic Grade School conducted by the Dominican Sisters and Secular Priests. This new school built in 1968 replaces school built in the early 1900's (used as both grade and high school for a time.)
ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL
The school building had been planned with a view to the ultimate establishment of a high school, and the plan was accomplished in 1922. The first graduating class, composed of eight boys and eight girls, received diplomas at the commencement exercises June 1, 1926. The High School continued for thirty years, the last class to graduate was in June 1956. LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL