Cenral School Historical synopsis
Central School Historical synopsis
Way back in the 70s when Crawfordsville was rapidly becoming one of the most flourishing little cities in the west, there was organized a City High School as a separate department of the public schools. This occurred perhaps as early as 1873 o4 74, but previous to this time the high school branches had been taught as advanced subjects in the common schools. The studies were not organized into courses and it was not until 1877 when Prof. H.S. Kritz had charge of this department that a class graduated. About 1872, three students, Mellie Blair, Mary Cumberland and Carrie Krout, all women of excellent social rank, and possessing many rare qualities which make them prominent citizens of Crawfordsville completed the course and received diplomas. Miss Krout and her sister, Mary Hannah Krout who graduated later, by their work as women of letters, have won the esteem of the people and are noted not only in our own "Athens" but all over the country. Miss Belle Moore, also a member of the high school in these former days, and Miss Blair are instructors in the Central School of this city. Mrs. Coulter was one of the most noted teachers of this early school, while Mr. Daniel Roderick, Mr. Blaney and Mr. Mellette can claim no less credit for their valuable work as instructors. It seems, that at this time, not much stress was placed upon literature, for the course comprised only Language, Science, History and Mathematics. There were classes in Algebra and Geometry, Ancient History, Chemistry, Latin and Natural Philosophy and all information was restricted to the book method.
A stately old edifice, standing on the spot where the Central School Building is now located and known as the old "Seminary" was the center of learning in the city before the year 1872. But another building was constructed in its place, closely resembling the old structure. In April 1892, fire broke out in the new Central Building and much damage was inflicted; not enough however to prevent its remodelling. It was rebuilt as we see it today and the whole third story was set apart for the High School. In late years the school has grown to such an extent that it has been necessary to encroach upon the territory of the second floor. Three rooms are now used there which prove to be indispensible to the interest of the High School. One of these, used as a minor assembly room is in charge of Mr. Caroon, who teaches the regular high school studies to 30 pupils. The capacity of the Assembly Room is now taxed to its utmost and moreover it has been found necessary to use three recitation rooms for the assemblage of the extra students.
The present High School was organized in January, 1893, when the Central Building was reconstructed. However, from about 1876 to 1892 a definitely course of study had been pursued, commencements were held each year, but the instruction was not organized by department. In later years the department place has been introduced and great advancement has been made by this excellent system. In this way, qualified and reliable teachers, who have made a specialty of some one subject are enabled to do better work; on the other hand, the students, receiving more attention, consequently fare better themselves.
In the years preceding 1893 the High School was not well organized. Now one may see a typical school with its due amount of promptness and regularity, necessary in building up a higher educational department. It has long been commissioned by the State of Indiana to certify to the preparation of students for access to the colleges of this state. Admittance is now obtained not only to our own colleges, but commissions have been received from numerous institutes in other states, so one may rightly judge from this, that our City High School is exceedingly energetic and is advancing by leaps and bounds.
Annual graduating exercises have been held for the last 27 years and during this time diplomas have been presented to 382 graduates, 87 boys and 295 girls, and of this numer 101 have gone to college. In 1892 the total enrollment was 113; in 1902 it had increased to 217 and at the present time it has surpassed all records thus far, the registers showing 264 students. In the present Senior Class there are 42 pupils - 24 girls and 18 boys. These statistics prove the annual increase of the attendance of boys in the school. This class has the record of being the largest class which ever entered the High School and continued through the course; only a few members dropping out during the four years.
And now let us look forward a few years. Perhaps, in the future, not far away let us hope Crawfordsville will have a new High School building, such as all strangers will admire and our own citizens will look at with pride. We do not mean by this, that we are ashamed at with pride. We do not mean by this, that we are ashamed of the present school, far from it, but we do mean that with the increasing attendance of students there is a necessity of having more conveniences than can be had at present, and we earnestly look forward to the realization of this desire.
Source: Arvin, Charles L. "Crawfordsville High School: Union Township: Blue & Gold: Athenians 1876-2001."