History of ECSC
Edinburg Schools
Excerpts from “The History of Edinburg. Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of our Town 1822 – 1971. By Sarah B. Otto
This spring of 1972, students at Edinburg Community High School completed the first year in a very modern and brand-new academic wing of the high school which was built parallel to the vocational-gym wing with the two connected by a covered walkway and forming a more or less H-shaped building as a total high school complex with the most modern of facilities. The vocational-gym wing was built in 1957 and the vocational auto mechanics and industrial arts workshop in 1966.
Completing the community schools today are a middle school, 5-6-7 grades, housed in the high school building on the hill, and an East Side Elementary School, grades 1-4, built in 1963 on ground purchased north of the East Main Cross Street at the east edge of Edinburg. The grade school building on the hill is housing the superintendent’s offices and the Community Center.
Early, Early, History
Edinburg had an early start in education but very little is written of Edinburg in county histories. A new Indiana State Constitution was adopted in 1851 paving the way for tax-supported schools. By 1888, Blue River Township had several little “red brick” school houses.
Public schools in Edinburg are nearly 100 years old. The first public school was located at 500 East Main Cross Street on a tract of land which had been given to the Town of Edinburg by George C. Cutsinger, great grandfather of Mrs. Lowell Yelton, and his wife in 1838 for the express purpose of a school building. The playground extended to Center Cross Street. At the Town Election of 1854, great interest was manifested upon the selection of a site for a schoolhouse when the old school grounds in the eastern part of town were selected for the location. This building was of brick, two stories high, 60x40 feet. Previous to this, a Rev. Charles Hutchison, graduate of Dartmouth, came here and opened a school in the old church building (Benevolent Society building on South Walnut Street) for instructions in the higher classes. School had been held previously there and in homes. A colored school was located on Grant Street in 1891 where the Pilgrim Holiness Church is.
On January 3, 1856, the first public grade school taught in Edinburg was opened under the principalship of Professor J. Ared R. Woodfill, graduate of Hanover College who had three (3) teachers under him. The school on East Main Cross and Grant burned in 1867, and the first school was built on the hill in 1869, under the direction of Steward Wilson, Harvey Lewis, and John C. Kelly, trustees.
The building on the hill was two-story and of brick burned at the Alex Pruitt Kilns east of town where Mrs. A. S. Willard now lives. This lasted until 1911 when a new Edinburg school was begun and completed in 1912 on the same school site. School continued during construction in churches throughout town. The 1912 graduating class had its senior year in the old Opera House which was the first floor of the Masonic Temple.
In 1912, when the building was completed, Industrial Arts and Home Economics Departments were added to the curriculum and had quarters in the basement. Also, the basement which now is the Community Center was the Edinburg gym. On the school board were John A. Thompson, banker, Dr. R. C. Mayhall, and Frank Winterburg, grocer.
In 1925, the new high school begun in 1924, was completed directly north of the first building. The junior-senior high school arrangement was organized. The building included a new gymnasium and auditorium. The Commerce Department was added. On the school board were A. J. Loughery, Howard Mutz, and Roy Amos; the Superintendent was Paul F. Boston. In 1942, Edinburg High School was admitted to the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
After W.W. II and the increase in enrollment, the next step was to bridge the grade school and high school. The annex was begun in 1952 and besides several modern rooms, a cafeteria was included. On the board were Mrs. Byce Sconce, Preston Schaffer, and Carl Allison. Dewey Manuel was superintendent when the school was begun, and Leonard Ireland when it was completed.
Enrollment took a jump. In 1951-1952, there were 793 students, and in 1963-1964, 1,488. Fifteen hundred students are anticipated this fall.
In 1953, the next year after the bridge, a junior high school was constructed north of the high school and directly behind the Catholic Church. Serving on two different boards during construction were these people: Mrs. Sconce, Mr. Allison, Mr. Schaffer, and Ray Lain. Preparation for the building was made by Mr. Manuel having been given authority by the Secretary of the Board of 1850, Bice Roth, to apply for Federal Funds.
The next large step was the building to house a new gym and Vocational Education Departments. Date 1957 and a holding company was organized to finance the construction. Officers were Preston Schaffer, Carl Allison, Charles Gundrum, Robert Stine, and Lowell Barett. It was built at a cost of $449,000 and located south of Campbell Street with the gym having a seating capacity of 2400. Two different school boards worked on the project so there are five names: L.E. Newton, Mitchell Glick, Ray Lain, George Kohlmeier, and Donald Piatt. Leonard Ireland was superintendent.
Another holding company was organized to finance the East Side School of 1963. Its officers were Tom Lain, Charles Mitchell, Hoyt Parmer, and Baron LaGrange. Again, more than one board worked on the building plans. In 1962, Edinburg Schools had been consolidated to include Blue River Township students. Previously these students attended Edinburgh Schools, but tuition was paid by the township trustee’s office. On the school boards were Richard Barnett, Wenonah Brewer, Michell Glick, Wayne Hamilton, Don Piatt, Arthur Pruitt, James Records, Preston Schaffer, Dr. William Smith, Don States, Arnold Thure, and Jack Workman. Lewis Jacob was superintendent.
The board members at the time of the new academic wing of 1972 was planned were Malcolm Heuss, Mrs. William Schaffer, Robert Freese, Hoyt Parmer, and Albert B. Cox. Another holding company was formed. Officers were David Patterson, Lavern King, Earl Kime, and Baron LaGrange.
School board members in 1972 are Albert B. Cox, president, Malcolm Heuss, Hoyt Parmer, Richard Barnett, and Larry Taulman; Attorney Baron LaGrange, Dr. Ross Sharp, superintendent, Gerald McCullum, High School Principal, Gerry Brand, Middle School Principal, and Wilbur Houze, Elementary Principal.
