HISTORIES: "Public Schools" of Barron, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Mott 28 June 2000 ==================================================================== Public Schools The first school house was built in 1877 on Division Street "just east of the tracks." This must have meant east of the "Blueberry" railroad tracks which were laid later on. At this time this location seemed way out of town. Margaret Clary was the first teacher. Mrs. C.S. Taylor taught this school during the 1879-1880 school year. In 1881, the school house burned after being struck by lightning. A new school house was built in 1882 on Franklin Ave. on the present Ward School site. In 1884, this school had two departments with two teachers. Mr. L.S. Cheney took charge in 1886. He graded the school and established systematic courses. There were 3 teachers in 1886. Two grades were held in rented store rooms. More room was needed. In 1887, John Quaderer sold the block south of LaSalle Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets to the school board for $1500. Two lower rooms of a four room school house built on this site were ready for use in 1888. Mr. Cheney resigned in 1889, but went to Madison and visited the Superintendent of Public Instruction and succeeded in having a three year high school established in Barron. In 1895, a four year high school course was offered. Mr. F.H. Lage was principal of Barron public schools from 1893-1898. Later he served as County Superintendent of Schools. The school population increased steadily. In 1901, the Ward school was built. There were then ten teachers in the public schools. In 1906-1907, the north wing of what is now Barron Junior High School was built. In 1922, an addition was made to this building. It provided a gymnasium-auditorium, two locker-shower rooms, three class rooms, a library room, and a large assembly room. In 1935, the south wing was erected. It provided four more class rooms and much needed space for the agriculture and music departments. In 1959, new shower rooms and locker rooms were built on the west side of the gymnasium. The locker and shower facilities were no longer adequate so this addition was a much needed improvement. In 1951, to meet the need for more room for grade pupils, a fine, brick, one story building was erected out on Woodland Ave. It provides eight well lighted, well ventilated, modern class rooms. The splendid, new, Barron Senior High School was completed in 1957. It gave much needed class rooms, a wonderful gymnasium-auditorium, spacious music, manual arts and agriculture facilities and a large, well equipped, hot lunch dining room and an up-to-date kitchen. This new structure is a modern, well planned building, constructed of brick and concrete blocks, very well lighted and steam heated. The citizens of this school district may well be proud of this new addition to our growing educational system. The last five supervising principals of the Barron Public Schools are as follows: F.T. Hansen, 1920-1923; Martin Anderson, 1923-1927; E.E. Waters, 1927-1932; A.K. Lyon, 1932-1948; H.W. Newman, 1948-1951. The present administrator of Barron Area Public Schools is Superintendent, Mr. R.R. Rhode, who came to Barron in 1951. During his administration the school district has been greatly enlarged by consolidation and the new Senior High School has been built. For 29 years, Mr. John E. Hoar has been principal of the Senior High School. Robert Kempkes is principal of the Junior High School. About seventy teachers now make up the teaching staff for all schools in this district. The enrollment in grades 9 through 12 now totals 538. The Barron-Almena-Dallas-Ridgeland-Area School Board Harry J. Vruwink, director Erling R. Christianson, clerk G.W. Christianson, treasurer Richard Ludke Luther Fraley Mrs. Leone Espeseth Mrs. Wallace (Marian) H. Jerome Ralph E. Peterson Lyle Williams --From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960 (used by permission)