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Log House Near River AUGUST 6, 1975 PLAINDEALER CENTENNIAL EDITION-PAGE 3 Public Schools Had Humble Start In 1840 Perhaps the public institutions of greatest interest to the people of McHenry are the public schools. The first official mention of the subject of public schools appears upon the county records under the date of June, 1841. Carlisle Hastings was then appointed school land commissioner and boards of school trustees were appointed for each township in the county. The first trustees for McHenry township were Amory Thomas, Gideon Colby and Benjamin Tuttle. The first school built in McHenry township was a log house erected in 1840 on the bank of Fox river. After many years service this building was converted into a store. There was nothing like uniformity of text bodks in the early schools, and systematic classification was impossible. Some 117 years ago on the site of the Universalist church there stood a little, one story building, the first school house of the village of McHenry. The school house on the site of the Universalist church was later used as a town-house, then a gun-smith shop and was torn down in 1889. A teacher of the school was Frances Wheeler, daughter of Christy Wheeler, and among her pupils were, Rollin Waite, Eugene Wheeler, Henry Whiteman, Elliot and Hinton Wheeler, Sallie Owen, George, Albert and Jeff Hankins. In 1859 the little frame structure was succeeded by a $6,000 brick building. This was built on the east side and was later used as St. Mary's parochial school. This was a district school with the addition some years later of algebra, advanced arithmetic, and bookkeeping "upstairs" as the highest of the three rooms was designated. Among the well remembered teachers of this school were James B. Perry, William Nickle, S.D. Baldwin and J.J. Vasey. On Sept 6, 1875, the McHenry public school opened the fall term with S.D. Baldwin as principal and Miss Lola Bishop and Oliver Owen, Jr., as assistant teachers. A school report published by the teacher, S.D. Baldwin, 109 years ago, is interesting because of the names which were still familiar as recently as the 1930's. Among the scholars were Jennie Beers, Almon Granger, Frank McOmber, Grace Owen, Clara Wightman, Mary Knox, Charles Going, Delos Wattles, Ada Granger, Mattie McOmber, C. Madden and others. From this school in 1892 came the first alumni. Members of this first graduating class were Dr. J.E. Wheeler, Mrs. Loretta Walsh, Dr. W.C. Besley, Harry Eldredge, Mrs. John Walsh, Lyle Howe, Fannie Osborne, Mrs. George Hoelscher, Thomas Walsh. Members of the first board of education were Isaac Wentworth, president; G.W. Beslev. clerk; F.K. Granger, E.S. Wheeler, John I. Story, Simon Stoffel and C.H. Fegers. Meanwhile, the West side became dissatisfied and erected a $2,000 two story, brick building. When this burned in 1862 a one- story building was built on John street, which was later used as a house and later was owned by Fred Feltz. The West side school was discontinued some years before the summer of 1894, when the present Landmark grade school was built. Mr. Strayer, first principal in the new building, taught the entire two-year high school course. There were three other teachers in the building. Several years later a» three-year high Wi school course was established and another teacher added. The new high school teacher was Miss Agnes Perry. (Continued on page 4) District 15 Schools r f i f - r r r a r EAST CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL 1012 N. Green Street *. L, \ i Hgggggj^,.. j P l • * " * « * "?»>* ~ ~~ --•»-«««. EDGEBROOK SCHOOL 701 N. Green WEST CAMPUS.HIGH SCHOOL 4724 N. CrjmaTLake Road Your Home Away From Home Since 1933 i|«vo filkl jp» ••Ml J D„ 1 1 1 ,1 miiiTiBili* Ifelijtkfiti v i b Pictured is Joseph Hettermann and son Edwin in 1936 just after the completion of the Bar Addition, enabling the Dining Facility to accommodate the growing demand for the "Good Old Fashioned Home Cooking". HETTERMANN'S HAS ESTABLISHED A 42 YEAR OLD TRADITION FOR OFFERING THE BEST IN FOOD AND DRINK Proprietor, Ed & Dorothy Hettermann are continuing his family's tradition of serving a very satisfying meal. STEAKS • CHICKEN - CHOPS AND SEAFOOD m •» v\ 1IB = • j h ettenmOAMi. 3622 N. Chapel Hill Rd. - Johnsburg - McHenry, III. I N T R O D U C I N G : Shear Honesty B E 4 1 O f f e r i n g h n i q u e p r o d u x • SPECIALIZING IN HAIR CUTS • NATURAL PERMANENT WAVES • FANTASTIC BLOW STYLING & FEATHER CUTS CREATIVE HAIR PAINTING & COLOR • SENIOR CITIZEN'S RATES - M0N. - WED. SHAMPOO & SETS -'3.00 PERMS-'IO.OO Sarah Coventiy Jewelry On Display 3325 W. ELM ST. (RTE. 120) McHENRV O F F E R I N G T H E V E R Y F I N E S T I N P R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E S HOURS: MON-WED 9-5 THl'RS-FRI 9-9 SAT. 9 TO 4 APPOINTMENTS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY! COMING SOON. . . . Complete Line Cosmetic Section WATCH FOR OUR GRAND OPENING IN AUGUST! Shear Honesty PHONE 385-8567