From Lane Co Oregon

Revision as of 22:43, 20 December 2008

History

Foundation

By 1854 Springfield had its first school, probably near 7th Street and B Street, and a teacher, Agnes Stewart. By 1870, the population of Springfield had grown to nearly 650 before the Oregon and California Railroad was persuaded to cross the Willamette near Harrisburg and go through Eugene. River navigators also could not get beyond the Eugene area to Springfield except during floods. The developments were a severe blow to Springfield to the extent that the population dwindled less than 400 by 1890.[1]

Although progress was slowed, Springfield continued to refine its town. In 1885 the two-room school house at Mill Street and D Streets had over 60 students. Eugene with the railroad and a university, was developing much faster as a service and trade center.[1]

For Springfield, change came in 1891 with a rail line and a new steel bridge. By then, Springfield had two schools in addition to three hotels, three churches, two groceries, a meat market, a shoe store, a drug store, two blacksmiths and a couple of general merchandise stores.[1]

Education was limited to the eighth grade, which was a concern for those who sought higher education at the university. It was also a concern for those who taught at the university. Incoming students were rarely prepared for the requirements of a university education and needed extra preparatory help. By the mid 1890s the University of Oregon president was encouraging the establishment of high schools to help serve this need. Eugene was already graduating more than 100 students from its eighth grade. Springfield had barely 10 percent of that number. Springfield High School began in 1898.[5] By 1900, the population of Springfield still languished around 350. However, the milling boom was beginning, and in 1902, a large modern and economical mill was built in Springfield by the Booth-Kelly Company. In less than 10 years the population of Springfield grew to about 2,500.[1]

It was not until 1905 that Springfield High was able to graduate its first senior - Merit Tuel. In 1907 no one graduated. By graduation time in 1908, the classes were again reestablished. According to the February 1909 edition of the student publication Nonpareil, it was apparently during this school year that the classes finally became organized into a student body.

"The students of the S.H.S. have organized a student body," the publication reported. "From now, remember that 'United we stand, divided we fall'," it concluded.

On January 26 of 1909 the student body elected Senior Lacy Copenhaver as their president, apparently the first student to lead Springfield High School.

The earliest records of SHS activities include reports or student performances. In an April 1909 edition of the student publication Nonpariel, Lloyd Emery, an SHS junior at the time, reports that the traditional senior play was expanded to include the entire school population to perform "The Devil in Society." Apparently late rehearsals were as common then as now. The writer went on to say, "it does not seem to agree with the High School pupils to stay up late for a few nights in succession, for the day after the play it kept the teachers busy keeping the pupils awake." He added, though, "but it was worth the time and the sleep lost, just the same."[3]

1910s

By 1912, 70 students had enrolled in the school. Early in the 1913-1914 school year, the students initiated a campaign to encourage prospective pupils to enroll at SHS. They strung a large canvas downtown to advertise the school and even made personal visits to enlist more youths. By February, the student population nearly reached the 100 mark. According to the SHS Annual, "when on February 27, it was discovered that the one-hundredth student was actually in attendance, the enthusiasm of the school knew no bounds and a holiday, to celebrate the occasion, was voted by the students and approved by the Board of Directors." The students then proceeded to parade the main streets of Springfield in the drizzling rain, led by a bugler and an array of banners and placards announcing the holiday.[2]

By all accounts, the student body of that year was a tightly knit group of friends who showed great enthusiasm for their school. Junior Walter Bailey, the President of the Student Body, wrote an essay in the 1914 Annual titled "Why Springfield High Is the School for Me." Bailey, who attended Eugene High School as a freshman, wrote, "I have nothing to say against the Purple and the White, but I have a great deal to say for the Blue and the White. I can say without exaggeration that I never met a more congenial and cordial group of students than I found in Springfield." Bailey notes the lack of cliques at his school and the general spirit of unity among the student body. "We are many in number but one in strength and purpose."[2]

The student body of that era was an industrious group whose activities included the first Annual (1914) and the first student periodical, The Headlight (November 14). Deterred by the lack of athletic facilities, students resorted to the Literary Society; with 60 members, it was by far the most popular club in the school. The literary Society initiated a debating team, which won "victory after victory..." although it did not win the regional championship at Villard Hall in Eugene. A typical Literary Society meeting would include roll call answered by famous quotations, a musical performance on the piano or violin, and a debate that dealt with a current school issue.

The students and the small faculty (six teachers in 1914) often indulged in parties and receptions, which were frequently sponsored in the home of a teacher. Individual classes usually threw their own receptions (the Freshmen party or the Senior party, for example), and could expect a friendly amount of rivalry from the other classes, whose members were fond of crashing parties and creating mischief.

On one occasion, Principal P.M. Stroud "entertained the seniors, juniors, and sophomores" at his house. The games of the evening included a "track meet," consisting of the broad jump and a relay race. Later that night, Manual Training Instructor Leslie McCoy performed as a hypnotist.[4]

The games were often disrupted when the freshmen were discovered lurking about the house. The upperclassmen would pause to chase them off then resume their activities. Later in the evening, however, someone sneaked up to the house, opened the kitchen window, and stole a "sack of sugar, a pail of syrup and a bottle of vinegar" that had been reserved for making taffy. The upperclassmen promptly accused the freshmen of the crime, and a great mock trial took place in the assembly hall of the school. In the end, the freshmen were found not guilty.[4]

At the head of all this activity were the charismatic figures of Walter Bailey, the popular leader with the polite smile, and Herbert Hansen, who must have received a great amount of mockery for his conspicuous ears. The two probably shared the sort of rivalry found between the classes: friendly but energetic. Both served as President of the Student Body (Baily in 1914 and Hansen in 1915) and both held the position of Editor-in-Chief of the new Annual (Hansen in 1914 and Bailey in 1915). On several occasions, both Bailey and Hansen filled the position of Literary Society President.[4]

The two would often find each other in disagreement over current issues. Bailey would generally support conservative notions while Hansen favored the more radical. In a Literary Society debate recorded in The Headlight, Bailey held that "the school board of District No. 19 are vested with power and are justified in... regulation the social life of the High School students." Hansen argued against him and lost the debate. (In the mock trial mentioned earlier, Bailey acted as prosecuting attorney while Hansen bravely agreed to defend the low-life freshmen; in that instance, Hansen emerged the victor.)

In the 1915 Annual, Senior Winona Platt predicted that Bailey would become a well-known evangelist and that Hansen would mature into the most famous orator of his day. In writing, Bailey preferred flowery language, while Hansen opted for a straight forward word choice. Hansen's "President's Report" seems remarkably to-the-point when compared to Bailey's "Why Springfield High Is the School for Me," which, after saying farewell to the departing seniors, comments, "this picture moistens the eye and causes the voice to grow husky, and I turn from it."[4]

Some of the class of 1915's activities reflect the blatant prejudices of the day. For instance, in an evening of dramatics sponsored by teachers, the students performed a 90 minute Minstrel Show wherein they blackened their faces with burnt cork and played such characters as Sambo. In it, Dinah, called "the Modern Joan of Arc," performed her famous speech "When Dey Enlisted Cull'ed Soldiers." The show concluded with "the roaring farce entitled Mr. Jackson's Servants, featuring Sambo, Dinah, Lizzy, Josey, and Lizah" as the servants. It is difficult to discover what became of those 100 students; more than likely, some died in the trenches of World War I. Others may be alive to this day.[4]

[1] The Millers: History of Springfield High School, editor Pat Albright, 8-9.

[2] Ibid., 12.

[3] Ibid., 24.

[4] Ibid., 13.

1920s

In the 1920s, the citizens of Springfield tried very hard to create an idealistic community for themselves and their children. Although Springfield was still a very small town, its citizens were very proud of both it and its high school. Accounts from people who lived during this time make Springfield High School and the town seem like a veritable utopia in the eyes of many residents. It was.

In 1921, Springfield High School was housed in the current administration building on Mill Street between two beautiful maple trees; hence, the name of the school's yearbook was The Maple Leaf. F.R. Hamlin was superintendent, and he was affectionately termed by SHS students "a man's man and SHS' best friend." The senior class was made up of ten, close-knit students who worked together in planning many of the school's social activities.

SHS students during that time seemed to be wholeheartedly optimistic about everything: their school, their town, their future. After all, their class motto was: "Out of school life, into life's school."

Perhaps SHS students were more likely to be optimistic because, at least in 1921, many changes were happening at Springfield High. A new school building was erected on the site of the old one; a basketball hall was built, and an orchestra was formed. With Springfield High being so small, it was hard to find an adequate number of musicians. So small in number, SHS' orchestra only had the instruments clarinet, violin, coronet, trombone, drum and piano represented. Still, the students were excited and applauded the formation of the musical group.[5]

SHS also enjoyed the services of a school newspaper, "The Tattler." That publication contained jokes and news items; it was distributed every week. Students admitted, however, that it was often difficult to come up with new material every week; many times the paper's advisor had to give ideas to the staff.

When the class of '21 graduated, most of them chose to get jobs right away; in the case of girls, most got married. However, those students who did wish to pursue a higher education could go to the University of Oregon tuition free.

By 1922, the school's orchestra was reduced to the instruments piano, violin, sax, drums, and coronet. However, this did not deter SHS students' enthusiasm in the least, and they had many other activities in which to participate, such as boys and girls basketball and baseball.

Fun came in other forms, too. The 1922 yearbook documents the many slang expressions students used at that time. Seniors intent on insulting freshmen would call the youngsters "greenies." Other expressions appropriate for when the user was irritated or aggravated were, "Oh poof!", "Gobs of grease!" or, in extreme moments of annoyance, "Cut it out!"

On occasion, SHS students would break from their ultra studious modes. One April. for instance, the seniors organized a "senior sneak day"; all the seniors cut classes and went to Coburg Bridge. As recorded in the yearbook, principal F.M. Roth pacified the disgruntled underclassmen by organizing a taffy pull.

It is often forgotten that attending high school in the 1920s was quite an accomplishment, especially for upperclassmen. Many teenagers could not attend school because they had to work, oftentimes to help support their families. One year the school's yearbook took a poll to see why students came to SHS, but students' reasons for attending were not always as lofty as one might think. "To get a good education," "to get a thrill," "to talk to girls," and "to read movie magazines" were typical responses of SHS students.[5]

By 1924, SHS' school publication, "The Tattler," had disappeared. In its place, a group of students started a new paper, "The Go Getter." The new publication's slogan was: "Go After All You Can And Get What You Go After."

Other changes at SHS that year included the addition of many new clubs and activities. The dramatics program and Glee Club (only girls were members) expanded. Boys' and Girls' Leagues were also formed. The respective leagues were created to "raise the standards of scholarship as well as increase school excitement for the educational process."[6]

[5] The Millers: History of Springfield High School, editor Pat Albright, 14.

[6] ibid., 15.

Administration

Springfield High School Principals

W.F. Sutton 1897-1906

Flavius Roberts 1906-1907

H.C. Baughman 1907-1912

P.M. Stroud 1913-1914

F.M. Roth 1920-1923

J.E. Torbert 1923-1924

A.J. Morgan 1927

W.E. Buell 1929-1935

L.E. Marschatt 1935-1936

Glen Martin 1936-1938

Cecil H. Davis 1938-1944

Owen Sabin 1944-1952

Warne Empey 1952-1956

Dale Parnell 1956-1961

Charles Smith 1961-1964

Bill O'Neal 1965-1985

Ron Schiessl 1985-1994

Gene Heinle 1994-

Student Body Presidents

Sports

Springfield High Head Coaches

Football Coaches

In 1915, Springfield put together its first high school football team, the Springfield High Millers, which distinguished itself by losing every game that first season despite the help of a student, Rex Putnam, who had graduated the previous spring but came back to school to lend the team a hand.

Boys Basketball Coaches

PM Stroud 1914-1915

Rex Putnam 1916-

Ben Davidson 1922

Harold Barto 1923

Lester Wilcox 1924

Walter Fenwick 1927

Marion Hall 1933-1934

Robert Chatterson 1935-1936

Harold Santee 1937

Eldon Fix 1938-1942

John Young 1945

Paul Johnston 1946-1947

Kernal Buhloer 1948

Stan Williamson 1949-1953

Roger Wiley 1954

Bill O'Neal 1955-1961

Dave Powell 1963

Ivan Harshbarger 1964-1967

JC Johnson 1968-1974

Gary Morton 1975-1979

Steve Everitt 1980-1981

Jim Fryback 1982-1993

Chuck Roberts 1994

Gene Morgan 1995-1996

Armand Lake 1997-1998

Girls Basketball Coaches

Miss Walling 1914

Verna Tagg 1915

Mrs. Plank 1920

Annie Hill 1924

Pauline Miller 1927

Jeanette Sullivan 1973-1975

Dinah Pflugrad 1977

Joan Spratlen 1978-1987

Charlie Olds 1988-1998

Baseball Coaches

Track Coaches

Boxing Coaches

Entertainment

Plays

News Publications

Nonpareil (1908-?), Edna Nickerson (editor, 1909)

The Headlight, Walter Bailey (editor, 1915)

SHS Tattler (1918-1924). A column printed weekly in the Springfield News.

1921-1922 Mable Humphrey (editor)

1922-1923 Alfred Townsend (editor)

The Go-Getter (1924-?)

1923-1924 Pauline Jack (editor).

The Sentinel (1935-)

1935-1936 Rolland Farnsworth (editor), Bernice Conoly (advisor 1935-1939)

1936-1937 Gladys Shelley (editor)

1937-1938 Helen Abrahamson (editor)

1938-1939 Melvin Andrews & Beth Schantoh (editors)

1939-1940 Beryl Woodford (editor), Dorothy Turner (advisor 1939-1942)

1940-1941 unknown editor

1941-1942 Betty Pat Aldrich & Vena Opie (editors)

1943-1944 Mary Karns (editor), Dorothy Adams (advisor, 1943-1949)

1944-1945 Mary Eva Lammers (editor)

1945-1946 Carolyn Clement (editor)

1947-1948 George Dorris (editor)

1948-1949 Zelma Edmunds (editor), Dorothy Adams & Gladys Shelly (advisors)

Yearbooks

Nonpariel (Senior Edition) 1910-1911. Olive M. Smith (Editor), D.C. Baughman (Advisor)

High School Annual 1913-1914. Herbert Hansen (Editor)

1914-1915. Walter Bailey (Editor)

1915-1916. Orson Vaughn (Editor), Verna Tagg and Rex Putnam (Advisors).

1916-1919. No record available.

1919-1920. Joe Deets

Maple Leaf

1920-1921 Joe Deets

1921-1922 Alene Larimen

1922-1923 Crystal Bryan

1923-1924 Audrey McPherson

1924-1925 Lenabelle Harper

1925-1926 Unknown

1926-1927 Dorene Larimer

1927-1932 No record available