The History of the Des Moines Public Schools 1846-1976
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Bicentennial Reflections -- The History of the Des Moines Public Schools 1846-1976 by Robert R. Denny Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines, Iowa Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Bicentennial Reflections -- History of the Des Moines Public Schools 1846-1976 Dr. Robert R. Denny DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr. George G. Caudill, President Mr. Nolden Gentry Dr. Ora E. Niffenegger Mrs. Betty Grundberg Mr. Merle F. Schlarnpp Dr. John E. McCaw Mrs. Jaclc Spevalc SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Dr. Dwight M. Davis Front Cover Design - Henry Kester, Art Consultant Printing-W. Dale Harsh, Ted Finch, Printing Instructors Richard Anderson, Carroll Fetters, and Tech High Students Copyright, June, 1976 - Des Moines Public Schools, Des Moines, Iowa Page 4 Page 5 TO THE FIFTH GRADE PUPILS: In 1976 our nation is observing its bicentennial and for the Des Moines Schools it will mark our 130th birthday. In marking the ages of political institutions both dates note longevity. In the balance of ages of civilization, it is a short interval. Our bicentennial is a time for joy in our accomplishments and for solemn reflection on the future. As students you will learn many things in your study of Iowa history and the geography of the state. In various books you will learn about historical events pertaining to the entire state. This supplementary booklet will provide many historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines. This local history will give many details that could not be incorporated in books used throughout the state of Iowa. Through the years the citizens of Des Moines have demonstrated their belief in the values of education by providing excellent school buildings, adequate textbooks and a well-educated staff of teachers. The chances are that you have always accepted the fact that you had a school to attend. It was there. It had a name, possibly for some president such as Washington, Jefferson or Jackson, or for some local person such as Rice, Hubbell or Watrous. Did you ever stop to observe that most Des Moines Schools have had one or more sections added at one time or another? When were they built? Where did the names come from that were used for the buildings? These are a few of the questions that might be asked. On the following pages you will find a history of the Des Moines Independent Community School District. You will find that this name is a very recent one since it was acquired only in 1957. The history on the ensuing pages covers the period 1846-1976. You will discover that the present school district includes all or part of 24 different school districts that formerly existed. A proud school heritage is yours. There is a past filled with change and new ideas. You will find the Des Moines Schools have kept pace with the challenges of a new community, a new state, and a new nation. -Dr. Robert R. Denny Assistant Superintendent for Education Page 6 TO THE STUDENTS: You are living at a special time--the celebration of the 200th anniversary of our country. The Bicentennial brings an awareness of and interest in our heritage, our past, and the men and women who provided the leadership during our early history. We study the past in order to make wise decisions in the present and hope to avoid mistakes in the future. As you study the history of Iowa, you become aware of Iowa's heritage. As a part of Iowa's history, the history of the Des Moines Public Schools shows the heritage of a progressive and alert school system. It shows how this community met needs, challenges, and problems throughout the schools' one hundred and thirty years. People worked hard to continually improve and build upon an outstanding school system. The future will show continued changes as they are needed to meet the opportunities and challenges of the last quarter of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first. Des Moines is a good place to live. Ours is the largest school district in Iowa, and its citizens, school people, and educational programs meet the needs of today's youth and will chart a rewarding course for the years ahead. -Dr. Dwight M. Davis Superintendent of Schools Page 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Early Schools in Des Moines .............................................................................................. 13 History of East Des Moines School District ........................................................................ 14 Grant Park School District .................................................................................................. 23 North Des Moines School District ...................................................................................... 24 Oakdale School District, Greenwood Park School District .................................................. 26 Curriculum .......................................................................................................................... 26 Growth of Des Moines ....................................................................................................... 38 Elementary Schools Adams School .............................................................................................................. 40 Brooks School ............................................................................................................. 41 Casady School ............................................................................................................. 42 Cattell School ............................................................................................................... 43 Cowles School ............................................................................................................. 44 Douglas School ............................................................................................................ 45 Dunlap School .............................................................................................................. 46 Edmunds School ........................................................................................................... 47 Elmwood School .......................................................................................................... 48 Findley School .............................................................................................................. 51 Ft. Des Moines School ................................................................................................. 53 Garton School .............................................................................................................. 54 Granger School ............................................................................................................ 55 Greenwood School ....................................................................................................... 57 Hanawalt School .......................................................................................................... 58 Hilhs School ................................................................................................................. 59 Hoak School ................................................................................................................ 60 Howe School ............................................................................................................... 61 Hubbell School ............................................................................................................. 62 Jackson School ............................................................................................................ 64 Jefferson School ........................................................................................................... 65 King School ................................................................................................................. 66 Logan School ............................................................................................................... 67 Longfellow School ........................................................................................................ 68 Lovejoy School ............................................................................................................ 70 Lucas School ................................................................................................................ 71 Madison School ........................................................................................................... 72 Mann School ................................................................................................................ 74 McKee School ............................................................................................................. 76 McKinley School .......................................................................................................... 77 Mitchell School ............................................................................................................. 77 Page 8 Monroe School ............................................................................................................ 79 Moore School .............................................................................................................. 81 Moulton School ............................................................................................................ 82 Oak Park School .......................................................................................................... 84 Park Avenue School ....................................................................................................