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On June 1, 1839 School District No. 11 was formed, and a white frame building was erected at a cost of $475.00 on the corner of Pearl and Clay. The census listed 68 children of school age; Hiram Shoulder was hired to teach 4 ˝ months at $18.00 per month.
In the summer of 1847 the "Old White Schoolhouse", a 2-story building costing $1200, was completed on Morse Street. By 1883 this was replaced by a brick school named Washington, which was used until the present Washington School was built in 1939. In 1848 the two-story "Old Brick" was built at the corner of Clay and Taylor and was used until 1887, when it was torn down to make way for Longfellow School. In 1948 this school was sold, and the present 14 room Edison School was erected at the corner of Parkhurst and Clay Streets.
1867 was the year the Old Franklin School was built on a lot between West Chicago and West Pearl Streets. This was in constant use until 1957 when the new Franklin was erected on South Fremont; at the same time the Jefferson School was built on Vans Avenue for children in the eastern part of the city. Subjects studied by the pupils during the middle 1800's included spelling, reading, arithmetic, and geography for primary and intermediate students. The more advanced students also learned grammar, U. S. History, natural philosophy, physiology, Latin, Greek and French.
The last quarter of the 19th century brought many changes. The school day was shortened from six hours to five; a music teacher was hired; the term "first, second, etc." Grades were used; and in 1895 a truant officer was appointed. In 1899 the first Kindergarten was established, children aged four being permitted to attend; in 1908 the age was raised to five.
Prominent among those teachers who gave a lifetime of service in our schools were: Nellie Driggs, Mae Crippen, Evalyn Squires, Edna Terpening, Leona Snyder, Carrie Kempster, Gertrude Moore, Melissa Semmelroth, Bernice Lazenby, Rose Steffaniak, Angeline Dean, and Harriett Randolph.
Graduates of Coldwater Schools also speak fondly of Dan Loose, who with friendly smile and helping hand, served as janitor and maintenance engineer from 1903 to 1951. Twenty-one superintendents have headed our school system since 1868, E. Byron Thomas having held the position since 1948.
EDITOR'S NOTE: --- As this book was being prepared for the printer, we received a letter from Miss Evalyn Squires, for 36 years a teacher in our local schools. We believe some of her remarks will be of interest to our readers, and so we quote the following excerpts from her letter:
"I attended the Franklin School as an 8th grade pupil from Sept. 1890 to June 1891 (as) the old high school building burned down in January of 1890, and we were scattered… Miss Cook was our teacher, Prof. Triskett our writing teacher. In September we were all united as freshmen in our wonderful new Lincoln building. Most of us graduated in June of 1895, receiving our diplomas from the platform of the Tibbits' Opera House… I taught 8th grade for many years in our Junior High."
"From the hundreds of pupils I've had, I can claim one Congressman, George Meader; 3 mayors; Leslie Woodward, Max Olds, Art Lyon; aldermen galore; City clerk Burdette Harris; Postmaster Gust Burandt… Every need of my life could be supplied by my former pupils who are now active citizens here in Coldwater. All professions are represented and all lines of business… even to Jesse Noel and, yes, the very last (need) William Gillespie --- all right here at home. What more need I ask?"
Quoted from the Greater Coldwater Centennial souvenir historical program, 1961, pages 33-35 -- with thanks to Judith Weeks Ancell, (jancell@micron.net)
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Additional Public School Information supplied by Marilyn Lane.
COLDWATER PUBLIC SCHOOLS The history of the Schools of Coldwater seems to begin in the year 1834. A red school house was built near the northeast corner of Hudson and Pearl streets and in this MISS CYNTHIA GLOYD taught the first school within the present limits of the city. A second school building was erected on the west side of Clay street between Chicago and Pearl streets about 1842.
In 1847 a two-story frame building was erected on the site of the present school in the second ward and about four years later the old brick school was built in the third ward.
For several years these schools were entirely separate and distinct, belonging to independent districts and in 1854 steps were taken which resulted in the formation of the union school district.
The pupils had become so numerous in 1859 that, besides the two schools, it was necessary to rent two rooms for primary schools on Chicago street. This condition led to the construction of the central school, a brick three-story building, on the site of the old Central school in 1860.
The oldest of the school buildings now in use is the one in the fourth ward and was built in 1867. This is now known as the Franklin school.
The wooden structure in the second ward was removed and in 1883 the fine brick building, recently named the Washington school, took its place.
Fire having demolished the central school in 1889, from the ashes arose promptly the elegant and commodious Lincoln school. The cost of this building was about $50,000. It is one of the most complete, convenient and well-equipped high school and grade buildings in the state. The entire value of school property in 1894 is estimated at $90,000.
From the organization of the union district down to 1878, the Board of Education consisted of six members elected by the entire district for terms of three years. An amendment to the city charter in the latter year reconstructed the Board and it has since consisted of two members from each ward chosen for a term of two years.
This Board of eight choose annually a president and a clerk from their own number, and a superintendent to whom is entrusted the immediate management of the schools. The city treasurer is treasurer of the Board of Education.
The organization for the year 1894-5 is as follows: H.P. COLLINS, president; W.T. LOWRY, clerk; B.D. PADDOCK; J.W. BURK; BERNARD LILLY; W.S. HAWLEY; GEO. W. STEVENS; J.H. BUGGIE; E.L. BRIGGS, superintendent.
The schools of Coldwater have always ranked among the best in a state of strong public schools. The high school was first thoroughly organized in the 1860's, and in 1868 graduated its first class of three members. From that date it has graduated 264 pupils, many of whom have filled places of much prominence in the community and the state.
The senior class of the present year contains 25 pupils, the largest in the history of the school.
For many years its graduates have been received upon presentation of their diplomas at the state university without examination. The school is finely equipped with a physical and a chemical laboratory, a hall seated with 500 opera seats, besides the three session rooms and a recitation room.
Four courses are offered its students; Classical, Latin, Scientific, and English, and special instruction is given in bookkeeping and penmanship.
The enrollment for the present year (1894) has been 186. Five regular teachers have been employed and instruction has been given in two subjects by the superintendent.
The school census for 1893 showed 1,354 children of school age in the city and the entire enrollment in the eighth month has reached 1,100. Of these 51 are non-resident pupils, living in various parts of the country.
The following are the districts attached to the different schools, but attendance is necessarily modified by the superintendent from time to time to make the classification of pupils most advantageous.
LINCOLN SCHOOL. All high school, eighth and seventh grade pupils. Pupils below the seventh grade from the entire first ward except the south side of Chicago street.
WASHINGTON SCHOOL. Those pupils below the seventh grade living on the south side of Chicago street in the first ward, and all in second ward not assigned to the Longfellow school.
LONGFELLOW SCHOOL. Grades below the seventh. All second ward pupils to the following eastern boundries: Marshall street including both sides, north to Pierce street; east on the middle of Pierce street to Hudson street, north on Hudson street to city limits. Third ward pupils east of Fremont street. Fourth ward pupils east of Jackson street.
FRANKLIN SCHOOL. Grades below the seventh. All the third and fourth wards not assigned to the Longfellow school.
The entire teaching force numbers 28 and at this time is composed as follows:
LINCOLN SCHOOL (high school) E.L. BRIGGS, Superintendent, U.S. History and Government; E.P. BRADLEY, Principal, Latin and Greek; ELMA M. BLACKMAN, German, English, and History; JANETTE E. CORBIN, Mathematics; E.H. HARRIMAN, Science; CECILE H. SCHICK, Bookkeeping and English.
ESTELLE J. MORRISON, Eighth Grade; L. AGNES ROBINSON, Eighth Grade; CARRIE INGRAM, Seventh Grade; MABEL L. SMITH, Seventh Grade; KATE L. BISHOP, Fifth and Sixth Grades; MARY E. KING, Third and Fourth Grades; RUTH CRIPPEN, Second and Third Grades; BELLE STEVENSON, First Grade.
WASHINGTON SCHOOL MAE NIVISON, Sixth Grade; ESTHER C. PADDOCK, Fifth Grade; JEANETTE FISHER, Third and Fourth Grades; FLORENCE A. CORNELL, First and Second Grades.
LONGFELLOW SCHOOL ONA THORNTON, Fifth and Sixth Grades; NELLIE L. ORR, Fourth Grade; MARTHENA HASTINGS, Third and Fifth Grades; LIDA GILLET, Second Grade; MARY E. CRIPPEN, First Grade.
FRANKLIN SCHOOL CORA L. ALLEN, Fifth and Sixth Grade; JESSIE IVES, Third and Fourth Grade; NETTIE HOUSTON, First and Second Grade.
Special Teachers: O.W. NOTTINGHAM, Penmanship; MAUDE L. HAYWARD, Drawing and Music.
Thanks Marilyn....
The first step that led to the eventual establishment of the State Public School was taken by Governor H. P. Baldwin. In the fall of 1868 before assuming the governorship he visited several of the state institutions, and some of the county jails and poor houses. Becoming convinced of the need for improvement in management, and a revision of laws relative to them, he recommended the appointment of a commission to inquire into these matters and report to the next legislature.
Dr. S. S. Cutter of Coldwater, Honorable C. I. Walker of Detroit, and F. H. Rankin, of Flint, were appointed to carry out the task. When the legislature convened, Mr. Caleb D. Randall, then a State Senator from Coldwater, was made chairman of Reform School Committee in the Senate.
Mr. Randall studied various types of child-caring institutions, both in the United States and abroad, but none met the standard or plan which he had in mind. The plan which evolved resulted in the establishment of a family cottage type plan institution, to which children were to be sent by Superintendents of the Poor of the various counties on proof of their dependency on the public for support.
The institution was to be a temporary home only, and during his stay at the school the child was to be trained to go into a foster home where he was to be supervised by a state agent in each county. The law was passed and signed April 17, 1871, creating the first governmental institution ever established for dependent children, where poverty was the only price of admission. Coldwater was chosen as the site because it furnished 25 acres of land and #30,000. The first buildings were finished and opened for the reception of children on May 21, 1874, with facilities for 180 children.
The first Superintendent was Zelotes Truesdale and Daniel G. Blackman was the steward, with nine matrons in the cottages, five teachers, and various other employees. The board of control consisted of Charles E. Mickly of Adrian, Dr. S. S. Cutter of Coldwater, and Caleb D. Randall of Coldwater, secretary and treasurer of the Board.
The bill to abolish the State Public School was introduced by Senator Town in 1935, and passed. A new agency, the Michigan Children's Institute in Ann Arbor, was established to take over the care of the children then at the State Public School. On October 1, 1935 the State Public School as a governmental agency ceased to exist.
The administration came under the direction of the hospital commission, and its use converted to the care of high grade mentally retarded patients capable of education on an academic level, and who could profit by vocational training. It continued as Michigan Children's Village until May 23, 1939 when by Public Act 142 the name was changed to Coldwater State Home & Training School, at which time they began admitting patients of all levels of mentality.
From Oct. 1, 1935 to April 18, 1961 there have been 6,128 admitted. At the present time the institution has 27 patient-care buildings, a 1`50-bed hospital opened in October of 1956. There are 2900 patients and 900 employees. The institution has the largest payroll of any industry in the county, amounting to over four million annually.
Quoted from the Greater Coldwater Centennial souvenir historical program, 1961, pages 35 - 36 -- with thanks to Judith Weeks Ancell, (jancell@micron.net)
----------------------- Additional School Information submitted by Marilyn Lane.
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL - The State public school is located one and a half miles north of the business center of Coldwater. This institution was established in 1874 for the care of dependent and neglected children and in the twenty years of its existence, has taken care of more than 3,500 children.
The plan for the care of these children as carried out by the State Public School was original with the founders of this institution and has proven very successful.
Believing that the only way to prevent the increase of crime is to instill into the minds of children right principles and right ways of living, the founders of this school with the aid of its friends in the legislature, have made it possible for the state to take into its care all children who are dependent, neglected, or ill-treated. These children are often taken from homes, here if left to grow to manhood or womanhood, they would almost certainly become criminals. Here they are received kindly, cared for tenderly, trained into the correct path, and when suitable family homes are found, are placed in them to become members of the family.
While at the school the children are cared for as nearly as possible as they would be in a home. They live in cottages as separate families, each cottage being presided over by a kind motherly woman whose noble example, patient training and tender care instills into their youthful minds the truth that it is only noble to be good. Homes are selected for them with the greatest care. It must be known of what the home consists, what kind of housekeeping and general management are apparent, how old are the to be adopted father and mother, what nationality, what state of health, their character, whether temperate, whether selling intoxicating liquors, etc.
After the child is placed in the home, then, he is visited occasionally by an agent representing the school who advises with guardian and child and if by any chance the child seems to have been placed in an unsuitable home, removes him.
This system of looking after and caring for dependent children seems to have advantages over all others, not only in the result attained, but because of its economy. The children are cared for at a per capita expense of only $150 and it is true that of the large number provided for during the existence of the institution, only 14 "have turned out" poorly.
Visitors at the institution are always welcome and information as to its methods gladly given to those interested enough to inquire.
They attend school regularly where they are taught the common branches by carefully selected and competent teachers. One of the pleasantest features of the school department is the kindergarten, a visit to which is only needed to convince one of the effective work it is doing.
The institution has been under the supervision of the following
superintendents since its opening:
ZELOTES TRUSDEL March 13, 1874 to June 14,1875
LYMAN P. ALDEN June 21, 1875 to May 9, 1883
JOHN N. FOSTER May 9, 1883 to April 9, 1887
WESLEY SEARS June 20, 1887 to Sept. 1, 1889
CHANCEY F. NEWKIRK Sept. 1, 1889 to Sept. 30, 1891
W.H. WIEAND Oct. 7, 1891 to July 9, 1893
A.N. WOODRUFF Aug. 9, 1893 to Date.
The average number present in the school for each year since it was
established is as follows: 1874-50; 1875-159; 1876-218; 1877-264;
1878-271; 1879-305; 1880-285; 1881-308; 1882-311; 1883-319; 1884-317;
1885-300; 1886-297; 1887-230; 1888-230; 1889-207; 1890-183; 1891-204;
1892-204; 1893-204.
Original cost $98,904.28. Special appropriations for land, buildings, furniture repair, etc. since, $146,403.66 (not including the last special appropriation which is not yet expended). Total $245,407.94.
1997, Norman M. Vance
