USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 86
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At the time when the necessity for providing more room for the high school was imperative the school board learned that the old Griswold college property could be purchased. Negotiations were entered into with Bishop Morrison of the diocese of Iowa and a price agreed upon,-$53,000. This was submitted to the voters at the regular school election in March, 1900, and also at a special election in May, and carried. This site is an ideal one for the high school of this city. The ground covers a block in the central part of Davenport; it is beautifully situated, centrally located and readily accessible.
Before the erection of the new building for the high school the school board made extensive examination of the best high school structures in the Mississippi valley. 'After this examination the submission of plans was asked from archi- tects and a large number were offered, none of whom seemed to be satisfactory to the board. Finally an outline was devised embodying their ideas and submit- ted to architects who put it into form. Of the plans submitted to the board those of Clausen & Burrows, local architects, were accepted. They drew up specifica- tions and the board advertised for bids for the erection of the edifice according to the accepted plans.
Numerous bids were received and the contract awarded to the H. B. Walter Construction Company of Danville, Illinois, who entered upon the work in the fall of 1904. In the spring of 1905 the corner stone was laid, which was the occasion of a great outpouring of the inhabitants of the city and especially of the school children who were present en masse and took part in the exercises by singing several appropriate songs. Speeches were made by several prominent citizens and Bishop Morrison of the diocese of Iowa took an active part.
7
CENTRAL PARK. DAVENPORT
HIGH SCHOOL, DAVENPORT
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
The building was finished ready for use in January, 1907, and represented an outlay, including all furnishings and equipment, of $347,000. The size of the building is 202 by 204 feet, three stories above a high basement. The base- ment contains a manual training room, 39 by 120 feet; gymnasium, 39 by 122 feet, with adjoining locker rooms and bath rooms for boys at the east end of the gymnasium and similar rooms for girls at the western end; heating apparatus, bicycle rooms, fuel rooms, and several rooms which can be used as need may arise.
The first floor is reached by two main entrances, one from the east, and one from the west with an additional entrance from the north side for the auditorium which is a spacious opera house seating more than 1300, occupying the center of the building with light shafts intervening between the auditorium and the re- mainder of the building, which afford light for the auditorium and the main corridors, which are floored with terrazo mosaic and wainscoted with white enameled brick. There is a study room, 40 by 120 feet, also fourteen recitation rooms, principal's office, rest rooms for the men and women teachers, hospital room and a society room.
The second story contains a library with separate reading rooms adjoining for boys and girls, a study room, 40 feet by 120 feet, fifteen recitation rooms, commercial room, typewriting room and the gallery of the auditorium.
The third floor contains the physical laboratory, consisting of two rooms and an instructor's room ; chemical laboratory of two rooms and an instructor's room; lecture room with raised seats; geological laboratory ; biological laboratory, two rooms and a lecture room; free-hand drawing room, 25 feet by 62 feet ; mechani- cal drawing room, 25 feet by 52 feet; the domestic science room, 40 feet by 52 feet ; lunch room, 24 feet by 68 feet, with separate adjoining rest rooms for boys and girls.
Four stairways lead from the first to the third story, two of each for boys and girls. Along the sides of the corridors on the first two floors are arranged com- modious lockers, in number about 1,200. The laboratories are most abundantly supplied with the most modern apparatus and other means of successful instruc- tion. The building is admirably lighted, the windows being of the best French plate glass. The heating and ventilation are in accord with the latest advance- ment in building engineering.
The exterior of the building is beautiful in appearance, the walls constructed of Marquette rain-drop sandstone and pressed brick of harmonious color, and has a roof of red tile. The corridors are floored with the mineral composite, terrazo mosaic,-all other floors are of hard maple. The interior finish through- out the building is of quarter sawed oak. The walls and ceilings are all beauti- fully frescoed.
Take it all in all, it is the handsomest, most convenient, most complete, best arranged high school building in the middle west. It is planned to accommo- date 1,600 pupils.
The principals of the Davenport City High school from its founding have been as follows :
W. O. Hiskey, 1864-1866; M. G. Hamill. 1866-1868; J. B. Young. 1868-1878;
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
H. P. Lewis, 1878-1883; F. E. Stratton, 1883-1892; H. H. Roberts, 1892-1898; W. D. Wells, 1898-1906; F. L. Smart, 1906-1907.
Geo. E. Marshall, the present principal, began service in 1907.
At the founding of the high school there was but one course of study of four years' length, and that was very simple. At the present time seven courses are offered of four years of forty weeks each, a variety sufficient to meet the wants of all students of high school age.
The Latin course is arranged for students who plan to enter college or who desire a general course of cultural value. The German course is arranged prac- tically for the same purpose as the Latin. The science course is recommended to those who desire to enter a technical school or college, or for those who wish full work in science and mathematics. The English course is provided for stu- dents who do not wish to study any foreign language. The commercial course is planned for students intending to enter upon business pursuits without further educational training. The manual training course gives students a practical and thorough knowledge of the care and use of tools, mechanical drawing and de- signing, and is in the line of preparation for admission to technical schools. The domestic science course provides instruction in sewing, cooking and drawing, dressmaking and designing and training in all the details of managing and con- ducting a home.
THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
In 1863 the school board having experienced difficulty in securing teachers professionally trained to fill positions in the schools, and realizing the importance of securing such teachers, decided to establish a training school for teachers. The services of Mrs. M. A. McGonegal as principal and Miss Mary V. Lee as assistant were secured. This was the first school for training teachers established west of the Mississippi river, and from its founding to the present time has contributed strongly to successful instruction in the Davenport schools. Its graduates have done splendid service in the schools of this and other Iowa cities and in the schools of other states, always reflecting credit on the Davenport Training school.
The school was first located in the building of School Number 2, where it remained until 1869. At that time from the lower grades of School No. 2 about 100 children, with the training school for teachers, were moved to the first floor of the High school, corner Sixth and Main streets. Here the training school remained until 1871, when new Number 8 having been opened it was transferred to that building.
When the new High school building on Seventh and Eighth, Rock Island and Iowa, was ready for occupancy, the Training school made its fourth move and climbed the hill to this new structure of greater accommodations. Here it stayed until 1892, when it was transferred to its present location in Tyler school.
The requirements for admission to the Training school are graduation from the High school or any other school of equal rank. The course of instruction includes a review of the common branches, and in this connection instruction in the best methods of teaching them, psychology, history of education, theory and
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
practice of teaching, with actual practice in the school room under critic teachers. Graduation closes the course of one year.
The principals of the Training school have been: Mrs. M. A. McGonegal, 1863-1870; Miss Kate S. French, 1870-1872; Miss P. W. Sudlow, 1872-1874; Miss Belle S. Thompson, 1874-1892.
Miss A. O. Osborne, now Mrs. A. O. Sheriff, a graduate of the Oswego Normal school, left training school work in Saratoga, New York, to take charge of this school in 1892 and is still its principal.
DRAWING.
Early in 1865 after much discussion the school board decided to introduce instruction in drawing into the schools. Henry Lambach was appointed drawing teacher, but as he was otherwise engaged, Mrs. W. A. Bemis became the first drawing teacher of the public schools. She served until 1870 and was succeeded by Mr. Lambach, who taught drawing until 1881. From that date until 1892 there was no special teaching of drawing. In 1892 Miss Mary E. Sisson, now Mrs. C. R. McCandless, came from Peoria and served from 1892 to 1894. Miss Clara A. Wilson succeeded her in 1894 and carried on this department of school work until 1908, going to Cleveland and from there to Des Moines, where she is at the head of art instruction in that city. The next supervisor was Miss Lillian Fliege, who came to Davenport in 1908 and is now in charge of the drawing in the High school and in the graded schools.
GERMAN.
Instruction began in German in 1867 and has continued to the present time. The first instructor was J. G. Tuerk, a finely educated man, recently from southern battle fields where he fought for his adopted land. He went from building to building giving instruction in German on stated days. As time passed other instructors were added until finally there was a teacher of that langauge in each building. Later, as exigency demanded, two teachers were employed in a building. The study of German has been optional, but the aim of the board has been to furnish sufficient force to meet all requirements. There are few cities in the United States where such ample opportunities have been provided for the study of German as in this city. The instruction in German was without special super- vision until within a few years, when A. O. Mueller was secured and was later succeeded by Henry H. Jebens, the present incumbent.
WRITING.
In 1869 the school board decided to furnish special instruction in writing and W. H. Pratt, a specialist in this line, was employed and continued in service until 1881. Special instruction in writing was dropped and the subject taught by the room teacher until recently. Mr. H. C. Walker of St. Louis was invited in the spring of 1908 to instruct the teachers in his method. This instruction continued
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
through the year 1908-1909. In the spring of 1909 he was assisted by Miss Lydia Koenemann, who gave some lessons in 'the schools. In the fall of 1909 Miss Edith Heden was made supervisor of writing and the Walker system is being developed in the school rooms.
MUSIC.
The instruction in this branch was introduced in 1884 and G. R. Housel became the supervisor, retiring in 1888. George E. Whitmore was the next teacher of singing, commencing service in 1890 and ending in 1893. In this year George R. Housel returned and continued until 1895, when Ernst Otto succeeded him and is the present instructor.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
No systematic drill in physical culture was given the children of the schools until 1886. At that date the board determined to employ a special instructor, and William Reuter, in charge of the turning school of the Davenport Turngemeinde was secured. From that time until the present he has been in charge of gymnastics in the Davenport schools.
COOKING.
The practical in education found expression in the Davenport schools in 1888 when cooking was made an optional study for High school and Ninth grade girls. Rooms were fitted up in the building at Sixth and Main streets and Miss Mary Gillette engaged as teacher, in which capacity she continued until 1893, when upon her voluntary resignation Miss Barbara S. Morgan was chosen to take her place. She has continued in the position with the utmost satisfaction until the present time. From the beginning interest in this line of instruction has been general and enthusiastic. It was an addition to the course of study which the public heartily approved.
MANUAL TRAINING.
The next year after cooking was introduced, or in 1889, instruction in manual training was offered to the boys. A room was fitted up in the second story of the building at Sixth and Main with the necessary equipment. The course embraced woodworking, both bench and lathe, and mechanical drawing. This line of work elicited as much interest and popular favor as did the cooking. From the estab- lishment of manual training until the present time eight different teachers have been employed. At first instruction was given to students of the High school and those boys from the graded school who were fourteen years of age and over. Later it was limited to boys of the Ninth grade and the High school. The work broadened as the years went by, and now the Seventh and Eighth grade boys have instruction in Manual training at centers in the grade buildings which it was nec- essary to establish through the inability to accommodate all the pupils in one
ADAMS SCHOOL (NUMBER 2) The pride of Davenport in the late '50s. Not now in use.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
room. The utilization of these centers and the growth of the work in the High school made necessary the employment of two additional teachers. For some years there has been instruction in hand work from the primary grades upward. In both Manual Training and Cooking Davenport was a pioneer for all this region.
EXAMINATIONS FOR PROMOTION.
Previous to 1888, in keeping with the then universal practice, a practice that prevails yet in almost all the schools in the country, pupils were promoted from grade to grade in the Davenport schools upon the standing made in frequent formal, written examinations. No more progressive step was ever taken by the schools of this city than was taken when the following rule went into effect: "Promotion shall depend wholly upon the pupil's fitness for the work of the next grade, as shown by proficiency in his present grade, and by his habitual diligence in study. The teacher's estimate of each pupil's fitness or unfitness to pass shall, when approved by the Principal and the Superintendent, determine as to his promotion.
"There shall be no stated examinations for promotion, nor shall promotions be determined by any sets or series of examinations held during the year."
Commenting upon this topic in his annual report in 1889, Mr. Young says :
"The announcement of this rule to the pupils was instantly signalized by increased attention to study. Forthwith they understood that their advancement was to depend upon their studiousness and fidelity to duty, rather than upon the per cents which they might obtain by a written examination. The fear entertained by the teachers that the execution of the rule might entail upon them the censure of partiality and unjust judgment, was not realized to the extent anticipated.
"The plan has many advantages. It relieves the closing days of the year of much drudgery. It removes all occasion for undue anxiety, and nervous strain and excitement. It places promotion upon a just basis, that of faithful work during the entire year. If carried out in the right spirit, it will promote rational and intelligent instruction, and broad and sound scholarship; for it furnishes no motive to teach for mere examination ends."
NATURE STUDY.
The matter of nature study had received a good deal of attention in the schools for several years previous to the employment of a special teacher. Instruc- tion had been not only given in their respective rooms according to a definite plan by the teachers, but scholars had gone in classes at regular intervals to the Acad- emy of Sciences for instruction by the curator. The school board came to esti- mate work in this line so highly that Curator J. H. Paarmann was employed in 1905 to give lessons one-half of his time. In this work he still serves the schools.
SEWING.
In the fall of 1908 instruction in sewing was provided for the girls of the Seventh and Eighth grades, the classes to be held at the same time as those in
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
manual training for the boys of those grades. Miss Margaret Gleason was given charge. In the fall of 1909 when the domestic science course was inaugurated in the High school and Miss Gleason's responsibilities increased she was given assistance in teaching sewing in the grades.
THE SUPERINTENDENTS.
Those who have guided the destinies of the Davenport city public schools from the beginning were: A. S. Kissell, 1858-1864; Dr. C. C. Parry, 1864-1865; W. O. Hiskey, 1865-1867; W. A. Bemis, 1867-1869; W. E. Crosby, 1869-1874; Miss P. W. Sudlow, 1874-1878; J. B. Young, 1878-1907. F. L. Smart, at present superintendent, assumed control of the schools in 1907.
IN GENERAL.
A marked feature of the public schools from the beginning has been the high character and substantial qualities of the men who have been called upon to serve on the school board. They have been selected from our foremost citizens and they have given freely of their time and energy to the public service.
The people of Davenport have been uniformly liberal in the financial support of the schools. Every movement for the improvement of school buildings and broadening of the course of study entered upon by school authorities has met with their approval. From the beginning the Davenport public schools have been of high rank, and have served as an inspiration and stimulus to the surrounding region in the line of educational effort.
Among the names of the superintendents of the city schools appears that of Miss P. W. Sudlow, the first lady to hold such a position in the state. At the time of her appointment to the principalship of No. 3, the matter of equal salaries for men and women arose. Miss Sudlow took the ground that women doing equal work with men should receive an equal salary. The school board for a time demurred, but on Miss Sudlow's insistence acquiesced, thus setting a precedent which has had its influence not only in Davenport, but in the middle west.
The following have served as principals of the grammar schools of the city from 1858 to the present time:
Washington school-Samuel Noyes, Miss Marion S. Tripp, Miss Julia E. Hum- phrey, George W. Tallman, D. L. Gorton, Roderick Rose, Rush Emery, J. P. Lyman, L. A. Rose, S. C. Higgins, J. R. Bowman, Miss P. W. Sudlow, H. E. Downer, W. E. Hocking.
Adams School-"Prof." Griffith, L. H. Mitchell, Miss Lizzie Gregg, F. M. Witter, W. A. Bemis, J. P. Lyman, H. Tourtellotte, M. T. Brown, G. W. Hay- wood, H. P. Lewis, J. R. Bowman, J. N. Greer, J. W. McBride.
Jefferson school-Samuel H. Weller, L. H. Mitchell, Miss P. W. Sudlow, Mrs. M. B. Severance, W. C. Preston, J. M. DeArmond, Mrs. M. E. Melville, W. D. Wells, J. H. Browning, F. J. Walker.
Madison school-Frank McClellen, W. O. Hiskey, A. H. Brooks, W. L. Ken- worthy, Mrs. T. F. M. Curry, J. J. Nagel, R. P. Redfield.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Monroe school-L. M. Mitchell, H. M. Hoon, Miss Lizzie Gregg, Mrs. Re- becca Hackey, Mrs. M. E. Culbertson, J. A. Ryan, Simon Shoecraft, M. G. Hamill, H. Tourtellotte, Roderick Rose, J. M. DeArmond, W. J. Bartholf, C. E. Birchard.
Jackson school-T. H. Codding, W. G. Fearing, W. Geerdts, J. A. Ryan, Miss H. A. Connell, J. M. Williams, J. A. McClellan, L. A. Rose, J. M. DeArmond, H. T. Bushnell, J. R. Bowman, T. G. Milsted, J. W. McBride, E. J. Mittelbuscher.
Van Buren school-Miss Mary Wagner, Miss Mary Willrodt, Henry Lambach, Jr., Mrs. Cornelia James, Ed J. Mittelbuscher, Miss Louisa M. Tuerk, Miss Bertha Roddewig, J. A. Hornby, R. P. Redfield, A. I. Naumann.
Harrison school-Miss P. W. Sudlow, H. T. Bushnell, J. A. Hornby.
Tyler school-Miss Belle S. Thompson, Miss A. O. Osborne, who became through marriage Mrs. A. O. Sheriff.
Polk school-Miss Mary Middleton, Miss M. A. Griswold, R. P. Redfield, J. A. Hornby, F. J. Walker, J. I. Lynch.
Taylor school-C. L. Suksdorf, F. J. Walker. Fillmore school-Joseph Allen, A. A. Miller. Pierce school-T. J. Evans, T. J. Cowen. Buchanan school-Miss Grace Creswell.
Lincoln school-J. W. McBride.
THE PARISH SCHOOLS.
Back from the street in St. Anthony's church yard near the alley in the "church square" given by the ever generous Antoine LeClaire for the first church location in Davenport, stands the first school building erected in Davenport. This monu- ment to the good old Abbe Pelamourgues has a wealth of local history clustering roundabout. The structure was built in 1838 from brick manufactured here. It was preceded by a few weeks only in construction by the brick residence on the site of the Masonic temple, the first brick building in the city. In the early days of the community this plain brick structure was religious temple, city hall, seat of justice, school house, public forum, the gathering place for the populace whether their assembling was for church, school, court trial, public meeting or literary exercises. Its bell became a municipal feature, sounding the alarm of fire, summoning to church or school and calling together the aldermen of the city for their sessions. It still does service in the north vestry wing of the present church building. It is the oldest bell in Davenport if not in the state of Iowa.
Since the founding of the school by Pere Pelamourgues it has been steadily maintained and still does it daily work in education. This is a down-town parish and the children are fewer than in older days. The teaching is done by a com- pany of sisters under the direction of Father Flannery.
There are also other parish schools, one with a curriculum covering primary, intermediate and high school branches on the square where is located the cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The attendance is large, the children coming from the great cathedral parish and also from St. Paul's parish where there is no school. The sisters who conduct the school have their home in a comfortable new build- ing adjacent to the school.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
now bounded by Eleventh and Twelfth streets, Brady and Harrison streets. Here was constructed a stone college building at an expense of $22,000. The structure was built of native limestone, three stories and a basement, and contained a large room for the preparatory and English departments, a laboratory, a library of 1,800 volumes, a cabinet of apparatus, literary society and recitation rooms, and on the third floor a dormitory of twelve rooms. This edifice stood on the site of Daven- port's present magnificent high school, and was razed when that building was commenced.
In 1859 the city opened Main street through the college grounds and in des- pair of peace and quiet in the growing city of Davenport the trustees sold the plant to the Episcopal diocese of Iowa and moved to Grinnell, where Iowa college was incorporated with a budding and promising Congregational school known as Grinnell university. A college historian enumerates the material wealth which went therewith: "That which was visible which was brought to Grinnell con- sisted of heterogeneous fragments of pioneer libraries, a $9,000 endowment, and the proceeds of the property sold in Davenport amounting to about $36,000."
So ended the life of Iowa college in Davenport, but local interest in this oldest college in the state has never waned. At Grinnell, Iowa college, now known by a vote of the trustees as Grinnell college to avoid constant confusion with other schools of similar name, has prospered. The work done is thorough and of high grade. Graduates of the college have "made good" the world around. The atmosphere of Grinnell is ideal in fostering scholarship and the "Grinnell spirit" is a powerful influence in the intellectual life of Iowa and the west.
GRISWOLD COLLEGE.
The removal of Iowa college to Grinnell, made it possible for the leading spirits in the Episcopal diocese of Iowa to carry out plans which had been made some years previous to establish an educational institution under the auspices of their church, which should serve not only this diocese, but the northwest, as well. The bishop of the diocese of Iowa, Dr. Henry W. Lee gave to the found- ing and nurture of Griswold college his best thought and effort during the best years of his life.
Prominent clergy, laity and citizens of Davenport met in St. Luke's church in this city, December 7, 1859, by invitation of Bishop Lee to organize a corpora- tion "to hold and control the recently purchased property situated in Davenport and known as Iowa college, with reference to the establishment of a literary and theological institution under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal church." At this meeting the name of Griswold was chosen in honor of Bishop Lee's dear- est friend, Right Reverend Alexander Griswold, D. D., the second presiding bishop of the Episcopal church in the United States.
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