USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I > Part 68
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The course of study was completely rewritten. The old terminology of A, B. C, D, primary, etc., was abolished and the name of "grade" was substituted Manual training was in 1893 introduced into the elementary schools and kinder- garten training was begun in the Normal school. In 1893-4 science work was in- troduced into the lower grades. "Brief courses in conduct and civics, in physiology and in physical culture" were added. 12 A school for deaf and dumb children was opened in 1893 and the problem of the backward children was earnestly studied.
This was a deal of advancement to crowd into two years and its momentum tumbled over many cherished precedents. Mr. Draper resigned in May, 1894, to accept the presidency of the University of Illinois.
Louis H. Jones, superintendent of schools in Indianapolis, was called to suc- ceed him. He stated that he would not "make any radical changes." The first
11 Report of Superintendent of Schools, 1892-3.
12 "Report of Superintendent of Schools," 1893-4.
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free kindergartens were now opened as a part of the school system. Many cities had preceded Cleveland in this important work. The legislature provided a tax of one-tenth of a mill for supporting them, and on April 20, 1896, the board passed the enabling resolution and in January, 1897, six kindergartens were opened. Each kindergarten was immediately filled to capacity.
In 1897 the superintendent reshaped the course of study. It provided for more general reviews and greatly amplified the work of nature study. In 1898 much at- tention was given to the examination of sight and hearing under the direction of the supervisor of physical training. The unclassified schools were reorganized.
In 1895 the Normal schood was moved to the Marion building and the follow- ing year the course of study was lengthened to two years and the requirements for admission increased. The high schools had become greatly overcrowded. In July, 1899, contracts were let for the new East high school building, and the fol- lowing October for Lincoln high.
In 1902 Mr. Jones was called to the presidency of the State Normal College at Ypsilanti, Michigan, and E. F. Moulton, who had for many years been a su- pervisor in the Cleveland schools, was named as superintendent. Mr. Moulton continued the work of Mr. Jones. He served until January 1, 1906, when he was appointed associate superintendent.
V. The latest period of educational development may be said to date from the appointment of the Educational Commission. January 1, 1905, the presi- dent of the board of education, Samuel P. Orth, suggested that because of the great loss of pupils between the sixth grade and the high school; because of the stress of earning a livelihood, drives most of these pupils from the schools ; because of comparative overweight of expense and the underweight of attendance in the high schools, it might be wise to appoint a commission of citizens "to look carefully into the curricula of our grade and high schools and determine whether teacher and pupil are overburdened with subsidiary work and to make such recommenda- tions as their finding of facts would warrant." Also to look into the advisa- bility of perfecting our courses in manual training and of establishing a man- ual training high school, "to which school could resort such of our youth who desire to chose as their calling some branch of the mechanical arts." 13 In February the board empowered the president to appoint such a commission and the following gentlemen were named: Elroy M. Avery, Ph. D. LL. D., author of a well known series of school texts on physical science; and author of "A His- tory of the United States and its People ;" E. M. Baker, B. A., broker, Secretary Federation of Jewish Charities; J. H. Caswell, assistant cashier, First National bank; J. G. W. Cowles, LL. D., real estate, former President Chamber of Com- merce ; Charles Gentsch, M. D .; Frank Hatfield, plate roller, Cleveland Steel Com- pany ; Charles S. Howe, Ph. D., S. C. D., President Case School of Applied Science; Thomas L. Johnson, attorney; C. W. McCormick, assistant secretary Cleveland Stone Company ; James McHenry, dry goods merchant; F. F. Pren- tiss, President Cleveland Twist Drill Company, and President Chamber of Com-' merce ; and Charles F. Thwing, LL.D., President Western Reserve University.
On March Ist the Commission organized by selecting Mr. Cowles as chair- man. R. E. Gammel, secretary of the director of schools, acted as Secretary for the
13 "Annual Report of the Board of Education," 1905-6.
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Broadway school, the Gothic type, about 1870
Willard School
Technical High School
0
Watterson School
Columbia School
A GROUP OF MODERN SCHOOL BUILDINGS
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Commission. A comprehensive program was adopted, comprising eight groups of inquiry, each assigned to a committee. The committees made a very thorough study of their assigned subjects, and the commission held stated meetings at which their findings were discussed in great detail. On July 24, 1906, the last meeting was held and their report transmitted to the board of education. Thus for a year and a half the problems of public education in Cleveland were care- fully studied by an able and representative body of citizens, representing not alone the tax payer, but every phase of business and professional life. Their report comprises a volume of one hundred and twenty pages and outlines an educational program based upon the facts observed that would make the public schools not merely an educational machine, but a vitalizing force in our industrial civilization. The report at once became a document of pedagogical value and was sought for by all the larger cities in the country. Many cities have since followed Cleveland's example and have had their schools studied by citizen commissions. The recommendations for changes were numerous, too numerous to be even outlined here. Many of them were on minor matters, but some of them were of the greatest importance. Among them are the follow- ing: That high school functions be differentiated and separate manual train- ing and commercial high schools be established; that the elementary course of study be entirely revised, eliminating many of the decorative appendages ; that there be more effective supervision in writing ; a reorganization of the drawing department and better correlation of the physical culture work in the elementary schools; that the night school be re- organized and that the schools be utilized as neighborhood centers; that a complete system of medical inspection be inaugurated under the supervision of a medical expert; that radical changes be made in the promotion of teachers, not on the basis of length of service, but upon merit and that the salaries be raised and the inefficient teachers be dropped; that the normal school be re- organized, the course lengthened to three years, a new and amply equipped building be erected and the faculty strengthened, but that it would be more ideal if Western Reserve University would establish a Teachers College and the city send its pupils thither ; that the superintendent be given full executive powers in educational matters; that the method of supervision be changed and that the principals be given more supervisory authority; that German be discontinued in the lower grades; that all textbooks be adopted only on the recommenda- tion of the educational department; and that there should be an extension of cooking and manual training in the seventh and eighth grades. Increased efficiency and the readjustment of the schools to the problems of the bread- winners were the heart of the commission's findings.
Many of the minor suggestions were immediately made effective by the board of education, and the larger problems were promptly attacked.
On January 1, 1906, Stratton D. Brooks, a supervisor in the Boston schools, assumed the duties of the superintendency, but he was soon recalled to Boston, where he had been elected superintendent, and on April 30th his resignation was accepted. Mr. Moulton, associate superintendent, assumed the duties of the office until May 15, 1906, when William H. Elson, the present superintendent, was ·
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elected. Mr. Elson came to Cleveland from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he had been superintendent for a number of years.
With characteristic energy and courage the new superintendent set him- self the task of solving the greater problems presented by the commission. Of the many results already achieved, five may be taken as indicative of the new forward movement in education. First, the establishment of the Technical High School. Bonds were issued for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars on March 5, 1906. The school was at first called the Manual Training High School. The change of name indicates the purpose of the school. On August 30, 1907, work was begun on the site, corner of Willson and Scovill avenues. The first enrollment was made October 5, 1908, and regular class work begun one week later, with over seven hundred pupils in attendance. The first class grad- uated in October, 1909. The school is open during the entire year and is open nights in the winter. Pulpils may complete its four years' course in three years, by attending four quarters a year. The school is a pioneer of its type in the United States and visitors from other cities come almost weekly to examine its well arranged building, its adequate equipment, its practical organization and its carefully arranged course of study. This school has created a new high school clientele in the city.
2. The establishment of the Commercial High School. This school was opened in the old West high school building in the fall of 1909. It is one of three or four schools of its kind in the United States. The building was thor- oughly remodeled to suit the demands of the new school. The course of study covers four years of work, embracing English, science, history and practical work in business forms, stenography, bookkeeping, etc. It is designed to do for those young people who wish to enter business what the Technical High School does for those who enter the trades or technical professions.
3. The reorganization of the Normal school along the lines suggested by the Educational Commission. This included an entire revision of the course of study and the establishment of lecture courses for all the teachers as well as the abolishing of the teachers institute at the beginning of the year. The work of the institute is now scattered throughout the year. There is under construction on University Boulevard, a new building for the Normal school, the first one the city has ever erected for that special purpose.
4. An entire revision of the course of study in the elementary schools. A painstaking and exhaustive study of the local conditions and the histor- ical development of the course of study preceded this revision.14 The object was to simplify the course, not by tearing out, but by coordinating and correl- lating the subjects and by simplifying the essential work in English, arithmetic, geography and history and by making all the manual training work, the drawing and domestic science, tend toward utility, accuracy and economy.
5. The establishment of a vocational school for boys under the high school age. This school opened in the autumn of 1909, in Brownell school. It is a conservative attempt to solve the problem of the premature bread winner, of
14 See "Preliminary Report on Course of Study," published by Board of Education, 1909. This has already become an educational document of value and wide demand.
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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
the boy who drops out of the seventh and eighth grade. This is a significant experiment.
There is thus discernible in the history of the Cleveland schools a constant purpose that develops strength and momentum through the successive stages of their growth. The primitive period of scattered effort is succeeded by the for- mative period of attempted standardization. This is followed by the splendid system of Rickoff, who gave definite shape to the organization. The vitaliz- ing or "energizing" of this organization, followed naturally in the work of Hinsdale, Draper and Jones, and in its latest phase both the form of organ- ization and its vital powers are urged to respond to our greatest community needs, to cooperate with the vital processes of civilization that work outside the walls of the schoolhouse.
This "increasing purpose" has persisted in spite of the frailities of hu- man nature; of tax limitations, of civic indifference, of unworthy cabals within, and unmerited, heartless criticism from without. And it will continue to per- sist, for it is written in the nature of things that man shall progress in spite of himself.
CHAPTER LVII.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
The first schools of Cleveland were private schools. The poor children of the community were paid their tuition by the village. These early private schools were usually taught by itinerant school masters who traveled from place to place, soliciting pupils at a meager tuition. Occasionally a man or woman of some learning would come to town and establish a school that would endure for several years, perhaps a decade. These instances, however, were rare. There were multitudes of these private schools established in Cleve- land. Unfortunately, their records are lost and only fugitive advertisements and scant newspaper notices remain to tell of their existence.
The old Brick Academy on St. Clair street, completed in 1821, was the first considerable school in the town. It was built by private subscription, had no fixed policy, no permanent faculty, and the various rooms were often rented to different pedagogues, who would teach for a year or two and then pass on to another town. Rev. Wm. McLane was one of the first teachers. His tuition charges were moderate: reading, spelling and writing one dollar and seventy-five cents per term of twelve weeks; grammar and geography, one dollar; Greek, Latin and mathematics, four dollars. Mr. Cogswell, a Yale graduate, followed, and in 1824, Harvey Rice became principal. In 1826, Rev. Freeman taught a select school for ladies in the upper room. In 1829, Noah D. Haskell and in 1829, J. C. Hall, kept school in the building. In 1833, the papers announced that Miss Ward had a young ladies school in the Academy and she was followed by Miss Frances C. Fuller. It appears that J. H. Black had a classical school in the upper rooms in 1833 and Geo. Brewster, with Henry D. Kendall as assistant, in 1834.
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In April, 1837, a young ladies school was started in the Farmers' block, on Ontario street. In the '40s, E. Hosmer opened the Young Ladies' Institute at 207-9 Superior street. Mr. Hosmer was assisted by his wife, in conducting this important school. He was a well equipped teacher, and his school flourished, until his sudden and untimely death.
At this time Miss Fitch opened her famous school for children in a house on Huron street, near Erie. Her announcement in 1853, says that "it is fur- nished with a set of maps." Miss Fitch had a wonderful influence over little children. Many of Cleveland's prominent men and women, of the older gen- eration, will recall her love and confidence, her gentle and compelling ways and her perennial cheerfulness. As an educator, she was a pioneer in kindergarten work, using its methods long before the name was commonly known.
Miss Thayer opened the Female Seminary on Prospect street about 1845. This was a well known school. Professor J. R. Fitzgerald conducted a classi- cal school for young men on St. Clair street, in the '40s. Perhaps as a special inducement to these young men, the announcement was made that "Mrs. Fitz- gerald also teaches a school of young ladies in the same building."
W. D. Beattie, a man of excellent learning, conducted for a number of years, a school for boys in his home on Euclid street, where the First National Bank building now stands. In 1848 an English and classical school for boys was established on the corner of Euclid and Erie street, where the Schofield building now stands, "near the central part of the city," the announcement says. Henry Childs, a Yale man, conducted the school with unusual success. In 1852 he had sixty-three pupils. Soon after this he relinquished the school and went into business.
In 1853 Miss Cleveland conducted a select school for young children at 58 Erie street, and Miss Stoddard a school for children at 9 Ontario street. Other schools of fleeting duration, whose names have been preserved are: 1832, James Angel's school "for the common branches," in Spangler's Tavern; 1836, Mrs. Howison, a young ladies school on St. Clair street ; 1837, Thomas Sutherland, a native of Edinburgh, held classes in the Farmers' block; 1837, Miss E. John- ston and Miss Hollison had a select young ladies' school on St. Clair street ; 1840, Miss Butler's school "for infants from three to eight years old" and Miss Pelton's and Miss Armstrong's for advanced classes; in 1843, Mrs. E. Ludlow's boarding school for girls on Ontario street, three doors from the Stone church; Miss Ful- ler's school on the Public Square, later called the Cleveland seminary.
In 1845, R. Fry conducted a school for boys on the corner of Superior and Seneca streets. Later his school was moved to the Old Academy on St. Clair street. Andrew Freese at this time was principal of the high school, and it was a common inquiry among the youth "are you going to Freese or Fry this year?" Mrs. Day's school for children was held for many years in a modest frame house that stood on the Public Square where the American Trust building stands.
Probably the first formal dancing academy in the town was the one opened in 1833. In 1849 Brown's Commercial Academy was opened in a block corner Su- perior and Bank streets, one of the first business schools in Cleveland.
To continue the fugitive catalogue down to recent years. In 1868 the Euclid Avenue Branch Seminary, near Erie street, was begun by S. N. Sanford, Miss
From a photograph. Courtesy Mrs. A. E. Lyman
MISS L. T. GUILFORD
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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
Mary E. Seymour was in charge. It was a branch of the Seminary on Wood- land avenue and was opened to accommodate the children and young ladies' who lived in the eastern part of the city.
In 1871 the Forest City Seminary was opened by F. M. Abbot, where Ply- mouth church now stands. In 1872 a day school was opened by Miss Freeman, on Perry street. It survived for many years and was later moved to Pros- pect street, where it was conducted by Miss Jane H. Freeman and Miss Nellie Freeman.
In 1876 the Home Seminary, corner Euclid and Willson avenues, was opened by Chas. Herdsman. It lasted only a few years. The Light Cottage Family Boarding School, conducted by Mrs. Varian on East Madison street, was main- tained until about 1885.
For a number of years in the '70s and '80s, Mrs. D. R. Whitcomb conducted a ladies seminary on Logan avenue. In 1878, the Cottage Select School was conducted by John Lavelle on Huron street. About this time the Misses S. M. and A. A. Hall, opened a school that lasted until about 1895.
In 1878 we find the following schools: Miss F. I. Mosher, 740 Logan avenue; Miss J. E. Sloan, 761 Logan avenue ; Miss Marie F. Swayne, 18 Sibley street and Miss Kate J. Williams, 48 Dare street. In 1880, Miss Mary Berry had a school at 50 Woodbine street. In 1880 Mrs. O. C. Beauchamp and her two sisters, the Misses Blakesley, began a school at 21 Jennings avenue, which flourished for a number of years. Later Miss Eliza Blakesley, who had been a teacher of President Mckinley when he was a lad at Niles, Ohio, conducted the school alone. In' 1882, Miss W. B. Corwin began a school on Dexter place and 1885, Miss M. Hutchinson and Miss Jane W. Hutchison began a success- ful school on Superior street. Later it was removed to Huron street.
THE CLEVELAND ACADEMY.
In 1848 a school for young ladies was opened which has had a potent influence upon many Cleveland lives. The "Herald" on August 28th announces: "On the 16th of October a new female seminary will be organized." The school was opened on the corner of Ontario and Prospect streets, in what had been known as the Prospect House or Temperance Pavilion. It fortunately came under the leader- ship of Miss L. T. Guilford, who had just arrived in Cleveland, fresh from the zeal of that noble pioneer in woman's education, Mary Lyon, of Mt. Holyoke. Miss Guilford became at once a new educational potency in our city, an inspiration to hundreds of Cleveland's finest women. Some time later the school was moved to the point where Erie, Huron and Prospect streets meet, where the Osborn building now stands. In 1865 a stock company was formed and a brick building erected popularly called the "Brick Academy." Here Miss Guilford conducted her classes until 1881, when Isaac Bridgman took charge of the school. It was discontinued a few years later. A charming account of this school, throwing pleasant side- lights upon the educational theories and practice of that day, is given by Miss Guilford in her "Story of a Cleveland School."
For a third of a century, this school was widely known. Miss Guilford was not only a rare teacher, but possessed the genius of friendship and a compelling
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personality. Her ideas upon the education of young ladies were copied by multi- tudes of schools, in many cities. Her methods were entirely original and in many fine Cleveland households three generations have been guided by her thorough work, and her gentle appeals to the best in human nature. Her Monday morning reviews of the Sunday's sermons, her impromptu ten minute daily exercises, her rigorous training in English, and in mental arithmetic, are remembered by her pupils, and they still hear the ticking of the clock, whose regular voice was heard throughout the rooms, unfailing token of discipline and order. And today, eighty- five years of age, Miss Guilford still retains that remarkable alertness of mind and genuiness of heart, that bind to her the affection and esteem of hundreds of her former pupils, who make constant pilgrimage to the shrine of her friendship.
CLEVELAND UNIVERSITY AND CLEVELAND INSTITUTE.
Cleveland University was incorporated March 18, 1851, and began with con- siderable pretension. Seventy-five acres of land were purchased on University Heights and a large three story brick building erected. It contained a library, chapel and recitation rooms. The first trustees were Rev. Asa Mahan, H. V. Willson, Edward Wade, George Willey, Moses Kelley, George Mygatt, John C. Vaughn, Ahaz Merchant, Brewster Pelton, William Case, H. B. Spellman. Rev. Asa Mahan, for some time with Oberlin College, was president of the school. The build- ing was not completed by the University but at least one class seems to have gradu- ated. The records are destroyed and it is difficult to get definite information regarding it. About 1854 the school was discontinued. In 1856 the property fell into the possession of a company organized by Professor R. F. Humiston, a dis- tinguished teacher. The school then became known as the Cleveland Institute and flourished for a number of years. It was open to both sexes, and was both a board- ing school and a day school. Many of the well known men and women of Cleveland graduated from this institution. There were many students from out of town, some from Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Illinois and Vermont. In 1867-68 there were one hundred and ninety-six pupils enrolled.
CLEVELAND FEMALE SEMINARY.
Cleveland Female Seminary was organized about 1854 by Rev. E. M. Sawtell as a boarding and day school for young ladies. Enough subscriptions were secured for purchasing the large grounds on Kinsman street (now Woodland) between Sawtell avenue and Wallingford court, "in one of the most beautiful rural parts of the city." Here a pretentious building was erected, one hundred and sixty feet long, four stories high, with a modest dome. The first board of directors was: John M. Wolsey, W. D. Beattie, Leonard Case, Jr., E. M. Sawtell, H. P. Weddell, H. V. Willson, Stillman Witt, Oliver Perry, James Hoyt. Professor St. Johns was the first principal. A few years later the school was purchased by Messrs. Sanford and Buttles. Mr. Sanford be- . came president of the school and its guiding spirit. It flourished for many years and was the largest private school in Cleveland. It ranked with other large
IĮ
From an old cut Cleveland Female Seminary on Woodland Avenue near Willson
R. F. Humiston
CLEVELAND
INSTITUTE
EVELANDO
INSTIT
R. F. HUMISTON, A.M, Principal.
From an old cut Brooks School, Prospect near Hay- ward street, built 1874-destroyed by fire, 1908
From an old cut Originally Cleveland University, University Heights. South Side
Miss Mittleberger's School, corner Prospect Avenue and Case (East 40th )
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