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Old Alva Schools

Alva High & Jr. High....

The Old High School which opened in January of that year housed the high school and junior high. "Jack Rabbit", the school newspaper was printed in 1917. The early edition of the school's yearbook were called "The Pow Wow."

In 1932 the high school building was heavily damaged by fire which was believed to have started in the northwest corner of the top floor in the band room. The building was gutted, rebuilt and reopened in 1933.

In 1952 the Ag Building was built west of the main bilding on the old high school campus by Rose Brothers Construction. BUT... Looking ahead to future needs, the school board purchased 25 acres just west of 14th Street from the Alva Golf and Country Club Board for $35,000 for a new high school in 1954.

In 1955 Rose Brothers Construction was awarded the $350,000 contract for the new high school. Construction was completed in 1956. When the new high school opened in 1956, the former campus became the Alva Junior High School for grades 7 thru 9. Prinicpal Orville Korn moved to the new building, and Bernard Ballard, who had been principal at Horace Mann since 1944 became the Junior High Principal.

In 1967 construction resumed at the high shcool. A library annex was added as well as a new Industrial Arts Building. In 1969 a new gymnasium was buillt west of the Ag Building at the junior high. The old gym in the main bulding was converted to a band room in the lower level and a cafeteria in the upper level.

In 1970 the new Vo Ag buidling was completed at the High School. The all-weather track and renovation of the football field were completed in the spring of 1970 at the cost of $340,000.

In the summer of 1989, the old brick building was demolished after being condemned unsafe for students because of the asbestos in the old junior high building. During the 89-90 school year, 7th grade students attended classes in the Old Junior High Industrial Arts Building and gymnasium. 8th graders were integrated into available rooms at the high school. Construction continued around the remamining two buidlings.

When school began in August 1990, both seventh and eighth grade classes were held at the higih school campus. In 1991 the new Alva Middle School opened for classes with a new concept and a new principal. The sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school curriculum with John Edelmann as principal. Later, Ron Few served as principal followed by current principal Phyllis Hilterbran.

The West Side School & Washington...

Two rooms were added in 1900 making it a six-room school. One of the first teachers at West Side School was L. T. Wilson. In 1903 a large two and one-half story West Side School was built and used until it was condemned as unsafe in 1946. In 1946, after being condemned as unsafe, the old West Side School (Washington School) was torn down and the first section of the present building was built. From 1920s to early 1930s, Jesse Converse was the West Side School's principal. He was replaced by Bess Hubbard until 1934 when Mrs. Evelyn Hoch became principal.

During Mrs. Hoch's tenure, the children and PTA voted to change the name of the school to Washington. The only playground equipment at that time was a slide and a merry-go-round. During the building period, the Washington students attended school at Horace Mann School on the Northwestern campus. In 1947, the east wing of the present Washington School was completed with nine classrooms and two offices. Mr. Vernard Allard was principal of both schools (Horace Mann & Washington) until 1948.

In 1950 the south and north wings of Washington School were completed making a total of 13 classrooms plus a cafeteria, audtiorium, gymnasium combination room. The Junior High students ate lunch in the Wahington Cafeteria until their cafeteria was constructed.

In 1948 Harold Shirley became principal followed by Harvey Reeg in 1960. Durward Brown served as principal in 1970 for one year while Mr. Reeg completed graduate school at the University of Texas. Dr. Resler was moved from Lincoln to Washington as principal in 1990 until his resignation in 1996. Kay Loges was named lead teacher at the school for one year. In 1997 Patti Pulliam was named principal and continues in that position.

East Side School...

In 1901, a two-story frame school house was built on the east side of Alva and given the name "East School." It was located where Longfellow Elementary School now stands (corner of first Street & Barnes Avenue). Only the first three grades were taught at East School.Jennie Monfort, J. W. Monfort (local druggist) sister, was the school's principal.

In 1910 the two-story frame school known as East School was replaced by a red brick two'story structure. In 1947 four classrooms, an auditorium and office were added to Longfellow School. The school's PTA built the bell tower out of the old brick from the 1910 building, preserving the original school bell which is rung each last day of school by the promoting class.

In 1966 the old two-story bulding was torn down at Longfellow and replaced with the current structure. Principals at Longfellow follwoing Miss Monfort were Mrs. Wesley, Mrs. Opal Nighswonger 1935-1958 and Lee Haley from 1958 to 1988 who was replaced by Beverly Owen (current principal).

Horace Mann School & Lincoln...

More classroom space was needed for elementary students so the school board began searching for just the right piece of land to relocate Horace Mann. Property near the college was purchased for $175,000 and in 1962 construction was underway on Lincoln Elementary School.

Ivan Lansdown was Lincoln's first principal who stayed on the job for 22 years. He recalls the major selling point for Lincoln's location was the fallout shelter designed to alleviate fears of a nuclear attack by the Russians. The cafeteria was designed and constructed with reinforced concrete to hold 165 people. It was also stocked with a supply of food and water in case of emergency.

Persistent drainage problems caused the school not to open on time for the September 4, 1962 start date. Moving day at the new school was November 21, 1962. Super planning helped make the move smooth. Teacher Durward Brown brought his personal flatbed trailer and moved the major portion of classroom equipment and books. Children carried the books to the trailer in precise assembly line fashion. Mrs. Whitenect, then second grade teacher, timed the move at just 12 minutes.

A contest was held to select the name for the new school. The Great Emanipator, Abraham Lincoln, received the deciding vote. Lincoln opened with seven classes K-6, one grade per level. Teachers that first year were Mrs. Vashti Dobbs (Kindergarten); Mrs. Hazel Manning (1st grade); Mrs. Edna Whitenect (2nd grade); Mrs. Hazel Highfill (3rd grade); Mrs. Jadena Brown (4th grade); Mr. Durward Brown (5th grade); Mrs. K. Grig (6th grade half day); Mr. Ivan Lansdown (6th grade half day & principal); Mrs. Imogene Gill (speech one-fourth day); and Miss Z. Branson (half day music).

The school opened with 158 students, 76 boys and 82 girls. Subsequent principals at Lincoln are Dr. Pete Resler and Grag Lyon. In 1968 six more classrooms were constructed on the east (two-story) level of Lincoln Elementary. They were first used in the fall of 1968.