.:: Fairmont Senior High School

Compiled by The High School History Team: Mary Elnora Shingleton, chairman, Sue Helmick, Madalyn Fidler, Mary Bernaldo, Ernest Hutton, and Reedie Miller.

One hundred and fifty years ago, even before Marion County came into existence, a small weather beaten log hut was used to teach the “three R’s” to the small children of the early pioneers. This was the nucleus of our present spacious Fairmont Senior High School.

Early Development of Community

In 1819, the basis of a new county was laid when a few settlers made their homes on the farm of Boaz Fleming, situated on the west bank of the Monongahela River. This place was chosen for the new settlement for three reasons: first, because the land there was poor and rough, and not at all adaptable to farming purposes; second, because there was a ferry across the river at the mouth of Coal Run; and third, because there was a meeting-house on a near-by hill, a very important consideration in those days. The settlement was not then called Fairmont, as it is today, but Middletown, signifying that it was midway between Clarksburg and Morgantown, two much older places. During the first few years of its existence, Middletown was but a stopping place for the stagecoach, and the people who made their homes there had no idea that it would ever be more than it was then—a few huts among the briars of Boaz Fleming’s farm.

However, on January 20, 1843, Middletown was incorporated under its new name of Fairmont; and on March 26, 1846, a bill was passed making Fairmont the county seat of the newly-created county of Marion.

Early Schools of the Community

The first inhabitants of Fairmont, like those of most frontier settlements, were almost entirely shut off from the rest of the world. In these early days the homes were so few and so far apart that it was almost impossible to have any schools, and the children were either taught by their parents, or they grew up without an education

The first schools established were not free, but were maintained by subscriptions. There were no regular buildings; but the master held his classes in a rented room, a stable, a loft, or any available place. Anyone who desired to teach and could get enough subscriptions could hold a school; the only qualification absolutely necessary was that of wielding the rod.

However, as the population increased it became more and more necessary to secure some regular means of education, so all the families within a radius of three or four miles united in building a schoolhouse. These first structures were little one-story huts. The school term was three months long, beginning near the first of November and ending toward the last of January. Each pupil paid from 25 cents to $2.00 a term, besides boarding the teacher for a while.

The first school in what is now Marion County was in a little log hut with paper windows, which stood on East Run. Mr. Abe Martin taught here in the year 1779, and is believed to have been the first teacher in this section. The second school was established in a small log cabin on Tetrick’s Ridge.

Before there was any school near Fairmont, the Jones and Hall School in Hawkinberry Hollow was attended by the local people.

Probably the first school located in Fairmont was built on Adams Street near the place where the old Courtney’s store stood. This building had two rooms, one for the girls with Miss Harriet Henderson, as the teacher, and the other for the boys. Another early school was the old Morehead School at the corner of Meredith Street and Cleveland Avenue. One of the most important of these early subscription schools was opened by James White in the old Marietta Hotel building on the corner of Adams and Monroe Streets.

The Fairmont Male and Female Seminary, under the supervision of Professor W. R. White, met the educational needs of the community successfully from 1856 to 1864.

The First Public Free School

The first public free school in Fairmont was opened in the fall of 1864. The teachers for the first term were the Misses Nannie Booth, Maggie E. Turney, and Mary J. Steele. The schools then were ungraded and the term was only three months. There was no building, so rooms in different parts of town were used. In 1865 the schools were graded and placed under the supervision of Colonel J. C. Lininger. The term this year was six months, four buildings being used as schools.

In the summer of 1866 the board of education purchased the brick building at the corner of Adams and Madison Streets for a school. Professor A. S. Cameron of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, was chosen principal. He had four assistants and the enrollment was nearly 200.

When the legislature located one of the State Normal schools at Fairmont in 1867, provisions were made whereby the pupils of the district could be formed into model training schools, for the benefit of the Normal students; and the principal of the Normal School, by virtue of his position, was the superintendent of public schools.

In 1872, a building, known as the Second Ward School Building, was erected at the corner of Adams and Quincy Streets to be occupied jointly by the Normal and public schools. The graded schools occupied the first floor; the normal, the second and third.

The plan of the grade schools serving as model schools for the Normal continued nominally until 1875, when the public schools were entirely separated from the Normal department. At this time, Professor J. W. May was chosen the principal of the public schools. In 1876, Professor Thomas C. Miller became principal. Under his supervision at this time, the foundations of the present system of education were laid.

First High School

At first, the public schools were located on the first floor of this building, while the State Normal School occupied the second and third floors. Later, the Normal School moved, and the high school occupied the whole structure. The building is now owned and occupied by the Fairmont Newspaper Publishing Company.

First Graduating Class

In 1877, the first class was graduated from the Fairmont High School in the Second Ward Building. At this time three rooms exclusive of the principal’s office were being used for the high school. The term was from seven to eight months. The subjects taught were botany, geometry, Latin, higher arithmetic, geology, history, and English which included essays, orations, and recitations. No recreation was planned for the students, and a final examination had to be taken before graduation. The first graduating class had four members: Mary Black, William Pierpont, Kathryn Everett, and Samuel Pierpont. Since the diplomas had not yet been printed, this class received only certificates.

In 1878 and 1879 there were no graduating classes. In 1880 only one girl was graduated, but at this time those who had been graduated in the class of 1877 received their diplomas.

In March 1893, the Normal School was moved to its new location on Fairmont Avenue leaving the Second Ward Building entirely to the high school.

Growth of Fairmont High School

The graduating class of 1900 was composed of nine girls and one boy. AT the beginning of that year the enrollment had increased to the extent that it was necessary to employ an additional teacher. The faculty now consisted of four members including the principal.

By 1905 another teacher had been employed. At this time the salaries of the faculty ranged from $1,350 per year for the principal to $810 and $585 for the teachers.

Judge E. M. Showalter assisted by Dr. Joseph Rosier succeeded in showing the need of a new high school building because of increased enrollment and lack of adequate facilities. Bonds were issued amounting to $500,000 and plans were launched for a new high school. The “Point” at Fifth Street and Benoni Avenue was chosen as the site of the building, with the actual construction beginning the following year. The corner stone was laid by the Masonic Lodge, with the school children participating in the ceremonies.

By 1906, the new building was completed at a cost of $80,000. It consisted of principal’s offices, library, twelve class rooms, physics and chemistry laboratories. The top floor was used as a gymnasium; the basement, for manual training and storage.

This building housed the Fairmont High School during the years 1906 to 1929 when it was given over to the Fairmont Junior High School.

Fairmont High School

Classes moved into the new school at 5^th and Benoni in 1906, and it was occupied until 1929. It was then converted into Fairmont Junior High School, under a new school system. A gymnasium was added, at the rear, in 1922.

Athletics were introduced in 1907, with football, baseball, and basketball making up the sport curriculum.

Three courses of study were offered at this time: (1) English for those pupils who did not wish to study foreign languages; (2) Literary for those who desired to study one or two modern foreign languages, French and German: and (3) Classical which included the study of Latin and other work which prepared the pupils for college entrance.

The requirements for graduation in 1907 were the completion of 152 hours of work for each course in which the pupil enrolled, or 19 recitations a week. Chemistry was added to the curriculum, which included mathematics, modern languages, Latin, English, science, history, art and music. Blue and white were adopted as the school colors and have remained the same since then.

The junior class in 1908 initiated the custom of having a school annual. This year book, since the class tree was the maple tree, was called the “Maple Leaves” and has been published yearly since 1908.

By 1910 there were 13 faculty members including the principal.

In 1912 manual training and domestic science were added to the subjects already offered, making 12, with 17 faulty members. This same year Student Government was introduced into the school with the organization of the student council, consisting of 2 members from each class.

Physical education for girls was added to the list of subjects offered in 1913 and has grown in importance until it is now required for graduation.

A new system of organization in the school was begun in 1914, with the home room and group system being inaugurated.

The growth of the school can best be illustrated by the school library. It is the largest in the state, containing 2,456 volumes and was used by 185 pupils daily. The variety of subjects offered had increased greatly too. English, music, French, Spanish, commercial subjects, history civics, agriculture, dramatics, Latin, domestic art, botany, biology or general science, chemistry, physics, and domestic science were now taught.

It was during this period that there was a rapid development in the growth of extra curricular activities; Camp Fire circles, debating societies, literary societies, Hi-Y, glee club and orchestra were the chief ones organized.

The first school paper was published in 1921 under the direction of an elected staff. The paper has been published every year since then and has retained its original name of Hi-Life.

The construction of a building was begun the following year for use as a gymnasium with facilities for a full physical educational program. This building is still used for interscholastic games, being known as the Fifth Street Gym.

Fairmont Senior High School

Loop Park, long a beauty spot of Fairmont, is the site and campus of Fairmont Senior High School, embracing a tract of 11.5 acres. The building was occupied in 929. The above view is seen from Oakwood Road.

Construction of Fairmont Senior High School

It was decided in 1927, to adopt the 6-3-3 plan of school organization in Fairmont. If this were to be done, an additional building was necessary to house the senior high school. After several months of debating, plans were made to build the new school in Loop Park, a picturesque site of 11 acres, which had been purchased by the school board in 1923. The actual construction began in January 1928 and was completed by the spring of the following year. With the class of 1929 being the first to have its graduation exercises in the new institution.

This new building, on of the most modern and well equipped in the state, has an auditorium, seating 1100; a little theatre is available for supplementary auditorium activities, dramatics, music, and public speaking. A gymnasium is provided with ample facilities for both boys and girls. A cafeteria with the most modern electrical equipment is provided for those pupils who remain at the building for lunch. The home economics department consists of the latest kitchen, sewing, and house-keeping equipment. The commercial department offers all facilities for instruction in typing, bookkeeping, and office practice. Included in the boys’ shop are mechanical drawing, woodworking, auto-mechanics, and building trades. The library contains approximately 3,500 volumes.

The above view of Fairmont Senior High School shows a portion of the campus lawn and another angle of the structure. A driveway and ample parking space is located behind the building, while numerous walkways wind through the campus in front.

A modern telephone system, within the building, and bells controlled by electricity provide rapid communication and change of classes.

The total cost of the building was $491,313.69, supported by bonds sold in 1927.

With the transference of the high school to the new building, a larger teaching staff was required. Fairmont Senior High School now has a faculty of 30 members including the principal, Mr. W. E. Buckey who has been here since 1921, a librarian, and a secretary.

In addition to the scholastic work, extra-curricular activities afford a wide scope for the broadening of the pupils. Football, basketball, baseball, boxing, wrestling, golf, tennis, and track are among the chief athletic activities. The National Honor Society, National Thespians, National Forensic League, Hi-Y, Girl Reserves, and clubs connected with classroom work make for a varied program.

The high school ceased to be under the control of an independent board of education in 1933 when the county unit system of school control was adopted by the state of West Virginia.

Fairmont Senior High School, the building, the campus, the faculty, and the student body, illustrate the attainments achieved in the 159 years of the history of education in this community.

Stone Bridge

This artistic stone bridge crosses a bubbling brook on the campus of Fairmont Senior High School. Many legends are told concerning the Indian tribes who frequented the banks of the stream. A small portion of another part of the beautiful campus is visible.

Bibliography

Dunnington, G. A., Marion County History, Dunnington, Fairmont, West Virginia, 1880.

Fairmont High School Office Files.

History of Education in West Virginia, 1907.

Maple Leaves, 1908-1934.

Minutes of Fairmont Independent Board of Education.

Newman, Dora Lee, Marion County in the Making.

Personal Interviews.

For a timeline of the major historical events of 100 years of Fairmont High School history please visit www.fshsfoundation.com and click on Timeline

A Brief Summary of Fairmont and Its School

During the late 1800’s Fairmont began to emerge. The coal mines began to fuel Fairmont’s economy. The first telephones were installed and electric lighting arrived. The first free public school also opened. The first class graduated from the school in 1877. A graduating system was established in 1880, which graduated 227 students from FHS, which later became known as FSHS, between 1801-1907.

By the early 20th century, manufacturing plants began to emerge. The Fairmont-Clarksburg- Weston streetcar line was completed which brought people into the city and helped with the economy. The first Fathers Day service also took place in Fairmont at the First United Methodist Church. Just under 40 years after the first was built on Madison Street, FSHS was moved to 5th Street and Benoni Avenue. In 1906, students began to use the new school. Students also began running the annual yearbook, Maple Leaves, two years after moving into the new building.

The 1920’s brought a connection between east and west Fairmont. The high level bridge, which connected east and west Fairmont, joined at Merchant Street and Jefferson Street. WMMN, Fairmont’s first radio station, went on the air. As Fairmont changed, so did the high school. The school built a gym in 1922 and the school seal was created. A mascot, the polar bear, was adopted in 1926 to honor coach Frank Ice. However, by 1928, the school was ready for yet another move. The Board of Education erected a building on Loop Park and on May 10, 1929 dedicated the new building. The class of 1929 did not attend school at the Loop Park location, but were able to walk across the stage and receive diplomas. The class donated the statue of Abraham Lincoln, which remains in the main hall of the school.

WV School of Excellence | Listed on the National Register of Historic Places | 1 Loop Park, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-367-2150 | Principal Chad A. Norman