Ludlow School History
This comes from the Souvenir program of Ludlow's Old Home Week, July 4-5-6-7,
1935.
The first school house in Ludlow, a one-room building, was erected in 1873
on land donated by Mrs. L. D. Hoffman. The school house was used as a
polling place, and for church services. Public meetings of all kinds were
also held on the premises. It was located on the present site of George W.
Olmstead's swimming pool.
At this early school, pupils ranging in age from six to twenty were taught
the three R's. Grammar was not introduced until a later date. Twenty-five
pupils were in attendance, and as the town was growing fast, it was apparent
that a one-room school would no longer take care of the needs of the
community. It is interesting to know that of the sixteen schools in Hamilton
township, Ludlow was the largest. The large number of school buildings may
be accounted for, when we recall that a school house was erected wherever a
sawmill was built. In contrast today, there are but three schools in the
entire township
In 1887, an old wooden barrack, called the "Fish House," was opened and
used for three years. This old "Fish House" had been used as a fish
hatchery, and was located on the present site of Hoffman's pond. The benches
in this building were made of split logs, each bench being occupied by six
pupils. The school term lasted six months; three in the summer and three in
the winter. This short term had to be resorted to because of the
impassability of the roads and also because of the fact that most of the
parents required their children to work at home the greater part of the
school year. Despite this fact, their attendance records were average and
seventy pupils were continuously enrolled throughout the school term.
The teachers were men and had, at the best, only a common school
education. The late George Jackson of Warren, will be remembered as one of
the best teachers who taught during that period. The salary of these
teachers varied from twenty to twenty-five dollars per month, from which was
deducted eight dollars per month for room and board.
One of the most annoying inconveniences that the teachers had to endure
was the large assortment of books brought to school by the pupils. The
parents, at that time, purchased the text books, and this resulted in a
collection of books on every subject except the one to be studied by the
class as a whole. This practice did not continue long as the school board
finally decided that all books and school supplies should be purchased from
the public school fund.
In 1889, it became necessary to add a new wing to the west side of the
original building. A second story was built in 1897, so that Ludlow now had
a four-room school building, in which all eight grades were taught. It was
thought that this school would meet the needs of the community, but such was
not the case. In 1914, the present building was erected. As the attendance
continued to increase, it became evident that another building would be
needed for the four lower grades. This unit was built in 1926, in the west
end of town.
With the advent of the High School, athletics found a place in the school
cirriculum. At first, volley ball was played on the grounds in the rear of
the building. Later, basketball and football were introduced. However,
basketball is the only sport to survive. Our teams have been small, and ahve
not always been winning ones, but they have always displayed good
sportmanship when pitted against larger and stronger schools.
In the early twenties, Lyceum Courses were sponsored by the school. Who
is there who cannot remember the Honorable William Jennings Bryan when he
delivered his famous lecture on the afternoon of May 30, 1921 on "Where Are
The Nine?" It was one of those hot days and the auditorium was crowded! Mr.
Bryan came out on the platform attired in a black alpaca coat, which dipped
to his knees. Through half closed eyes, he surveyed the audience for a few
moments, and then said, "I have been told there is but one Democrat in this
town...I wish to greet him now!" He held the audience spellbound by his
oratory.
We might mention a lecture by Will Irwin, on Armistice Day, 1922, and
another by the noted Artic explorer, Vilhjalmer Stefansson on February 24,
1923. The tall man, who stood before us, had astounded the world in 1913
when he announced that on his third polar expedition he would penetrate far
into the northlands and live like the Eskimos! With the aid of slides, he
showed the animals and flora of the north, completely upsetting all our
preconceived ideas of the land of the midnight sun.
While these lectures were the outstanding numbers of the Lyceum course
that was offered, there were other interesting programs, among which we might
mention the Swedish Bell Ringers, Glass Blowers, and instrumental and vocal
music of high quality.
We shall not attempt to mention all of the teachers who have worked among
us, but we would like to voice our sincere appreciation for the inspiration
they have given us.
Many of the students who have attended the Ludlow Public Schools have
completed their education in institutions of higher learning. They have
entered almost every profession. They have all made good.
Ludlow is proud of her sons and daughters!
The words to the Alma mater
LUDLOW HIGH
Ludlow High to thee we all are loyal
And may thy colors ever wave
Over all the bravest and the truest
Thy dear name from dishonor we would save.
Oh! Ludlow High
Dear Ludlow High
Thy name shall ever loved and honored be
Oh! Ludlow High
Dear Ludlow High
We'll always give honor to thee.
contributed by Chris McClelland
[email protected]
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