San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1468
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 12/2/2009
ESCALON UNION HIGH SCHOOL
San Joaquin County owes much of its progress, especially the rapid increase of its population, to its excellent institutions of learning, for where there are good educational facilities there the homeseeker will settle. Among the more recent institutions of learning is the Escalon Union high school, which was completed and opened for the second semester of the school year on March 15, 1922. Realizing the importance of having a high school in Escalon, a number of the prominent and progressive citizens started the movement for one in 1917. Two elections were held, at which it was voted down by the citizens of that section; however, a special election was called in the district and a board of trustees were selected as follows: W.L. Combs, as president of the board; H.H. McKinney; H. Louis Morgenson, clerk; Otto Peterson and G.R. Smith. Five districts were represented in the general election, namely, Van Allen, Burwood, Enterprise, Lone Tree, and Four Tree, and in May, 1919, the high school was founded and the original officers comprising the board of trustees are still serving. On July 16, 1919, the board held their first meeting at Escalon and the following September high school was opened in the Jones residence, offering a two-year course in charge of two teachers, F.W. Denny serving as principal for two years. The other teacher during the first year was Miss Anna von Glahn, who resigned during that year and was succeeded by Miss Mildred Orr. During its second year the school had five teachers. Prof. Oliver Irons is now principal over six teachers. On May 5, 1921, an election was held to vote bonds for the erection of a suitable building and the bonds carried for $85,000. Bids were opened on August 2, 1921, and on August 30, 1921, the contract was let to John Madsen of Ripon who used every effort to hasten the completion of the building and the work progressed so well that on March 15, 1922, the services of dedication were held with F.W. Wurster of Stockton in charge of the program, the principal speaker of the occasion being Dr. Tully C. Knoles, president of the College of the Pacific. The standard four year high school course is maintained with a corps of eight teachers and at the present time there are 100 students and as the Escalon section expands the building will still be adequate to care for the students from the districts adjacent to Escalon. The board of trustees hold bi-monthly meetings and have the full confidence and cooperation of the entire public and Escalon is to be congratulated on the substantial and handsome high school building and for the students that traverse its halls and for the progressive and far-seeing citizens and friends that made possible such an institution.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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