The summer of 1832 was the beginning of education in Coldwater when Miss Cynthia Gloyd began teaching the 3 R's to nine children in her cabin. The first school building was erected in 1832 on a site donated by the Rev. Allen Tibbits at the north-east corner of Pearl and Hudson. Painted red, it was always referred to as the "Old Red Schoolhouse".
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 ½ 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 1848 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)