Ainsworth High School in 1900

Ainsworth Public School
(Lila McAndrew)

 School District No. 10, Ainsworth was organized August 25,1883, E. A. Palmer was director, J. W. Alden moderator and S.G. Chaney treasurer.  The first school in district No. 10 was held in a little log building, northwest of town, on the north bank of Bone Creek, in 1882. It was taught by Mrs. Mary Wade. Some of the pupils attending were Lettie Cheney (Mrs. J. D. Kirkpatrick), Millie Cheney (Mrs. Will Kirkpatrick), Joy and Bert Cheney, Dan andMary Woodward, (the late Mrs. L. M. Short.)

In 1883 school was held in a frame building where the home of Mr. Leve Lindquist now stands or ( SW Corner Woodward & 4th St.). The building was also used as a jail. Judge S. G. Sparks was the teacher. The names of the late James Munson and Albert Chaney were among those added to the list of pupils.

The next year, (1884) school was held in the original Congregational church building, although the walls were not yet plastered and brown paper had to serve as a substitute.

Prof. A. W. Smith presided over the advanced grades who were seated with faces to the north.

Mrs. O. B. Rippey taught the primary pupils whose seat faced the south, both departments being in one room.

In 1885 school convened in a two room frame structure,which was located across the street east of the present site ofthe Bell Telephone building or (SE corner of 2nd & Walnut St.). Prof. A. W. Smith continued as upper grade instructorand Mrs. Hattie Ray had charge of the lower grades.

In 1886 a four-room, two story brick building was erected on the ground where the present grade building now stands.Prof. A. W. Smith continued as principal and Miss Luce taughtin the lower grades. Prof. Chas. E. Holmes was the nextprincipal, Mrs. J. Wyvel (then Miss Westover) and Miss ClydeAllen were lower (43) grade teachers.  Among the teachers who followed were Mrs. Byron Chase, then know as Miss Golden, Miss Anna Wartz and Miss Lou Richmond, (the late Mrs.
George Farman, Sr.) This buildings was wrecked as soon  as school closed in the spring of 1885, and some of the materials were salvaged and used in the present grade structure, in which school was opened the following fall,--  only two weeks later than the usual fall start time.

This building supplied the needs until 1910 when more room became necessary. At this time what is known as the Gray building was erected. Prof. W. E. Flake was the first superintendent who had charge in this building. It was about this time that the twelfth grade was added and the High School became accredited with Nebraska University.

In 1922 the present High School building was begun, completed in 1923, and formally dedicated October 26th of that year. This fine structure will no doubt stand for many years as a monument to the members of the board of education and loyal citizens, who at that time fought numerous legal battles with opposers, in their determination to provide adequate housing facilities for the youth of the community in a building of which that community may well be proud.