Summer, 1992
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PUBLISHED BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Jefferson County, Colorado Volume 5, Number r, Summer 1992
MORRISON SCHOOL HOUSE Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society VOLUME FIVE NUMBER ONE MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN SUMMER 1992 BY: DON EBNER
Historically Jeffco is published The Jefferson County Historical Commission is truly a group of dedicated volun~ biannually in the summer and winter teers, each contributing from ten to thirty hours of time every month for the good of by the Jefferson County Historical the citizens of the County. Commission, Golden, Colorado. The only payment is the satisfaction of having furthered the purpose of the Com~ mission to: Chairman Don Ebner 1. Coordinate County historical activities and act as liaison with the national, state Vice Chairman Norm Meyer and local historical organizations. Secretary Marie Fox 2. Develop a local history record. Corresponding 3. Designate historical sites in the County. Secretary Dorothy Lombard 4. Promote historical educational programs. Treasurer Dennis L. Potter To these ends this Commission: A. Maintains a monthly exhibit cabinet on the first floor ofthe Courthouse. B. Wrote and distributed the County history book "From Scratch" including an Jefferson County historical site map of the County. Commissioners C. Publishes "Historically Jeffco" twice a year. District One Rich Ferdinandsen D. Holds a "History Essay Contest" with $1,250.00 in prize money each year. District Two Marjorie E. Clement E. Honors both a living and a deceased County citizen each year in the "Hall of District Three John P. Stone Fame" ceremonies. F. Publishes a brochure of historical and interesting sites of the County for citizens Jefferson County Historical and tourists alike. Commission G. Participates in the Festival of the West and Columbine Days. In addition this Commission is in the process of researching and writing a complete District One Place Names Directory of the County. This will take some years to complete as Jane Gardner hundreds, probably thousands of places are involved from stage lines to shopping Esther B. Harkness centers, trails to streets, churches to golf courses, mountains to gulches, ranches to Dorothy Lombard subdivisions, schools to cemeteries and so on. Marcetta Lutz With help from a few friends of the Historical Commission all of the above Ruth Richardson functions and activities are being accomplished by the volunteers listed on the first District Two page of this magazine. Donald Ebner Marie Fox Vi Hader Erlene Hulsey Joy Berger ON THE COVER Sharon Carr MORRISON SCHOOL HOUSE Irma Wyhs Although it has passed the century mark, the old Morrison School House still District Three stands, tall and sturdy on the bluff overlooking the town named for its builder, stone Mary Bindner mason George Morrison. George C. Kenry Constructed in 1875, the year before Colorado became a state, the narrow structure Norm Meyer contained three rooms which housed eight grades taught by three teachers. Colorado Beth Pratt Governor Evans owned the Morrison Stone, Lime and Town Company in 1875. The Jamee Chambers town of Morrison contracted with Evans' company to build the school. George Rita Peterson Morrison was the architect for Evans' company and is responsible for the school's Duncan McCollum construction. Made from 18 inch thick red sandstone walls the school cost the town of Dennis L. Potter Morrison $6,000.00 to build. Coal oil lamps lighted the interior, and at one time, enrollment reached 60 students. Editor The school bell tolling from the tower sent girls and boys scurrying to classes as well as Dennis L. Potter provided a hiding place for kids to ditch school. For years the only way to reach the school was by a worn wagon trail and children carried drinking water in buckets from Bear Creek up the slope to the school. Publisher The school opened for the first time on the first Monday in December of 1875. Brook Trout Press James W. Griffin was the first teacher.ln 1875 there were twenty four students from Golden, Colorado grades one through eight. After graduating from the eighth grade, students attended (continued on page 13)
1 PUBLIC EDUCATION IN WHEAT RIDGE By: Robert]. Olson (1991 Second Place \X!inner in the Robert Clement History Writer's Awards)
Colorado's first real school laws were established in 1862. These laws set down 'l:l!C ~i ttadtta L.i ng (i las~ procedures for establishing districts, holding elections of officers and provid, or \t\lll~at Ix i
2 was erected there in 1868, the exact date At the meeting of May 6, 1872 the prompted more by a need to locate the of completion was not recorded in the location of the school building was dis school accessible to more of the children district records. These records do show cussed. Many patrons wanted the school rather than a need for a larger facility. that L.B. Ames was the first teacher hired to be more in the center of the district. Enrollment remained about the same by the district and he taught school for a West 38th Avenue, then known as Pros before and after the move. Except for a few months in late 1867. He was replaced pect Avenue, was the major thoroughfare bulge in 1875, each year's enrollment var by S. W . McClure and then by Mary Cort and was the route taken from Denver to ied only between 23 and 31 throughout before school closed for the first four Golden and the mountains beyond. the 1870's. 16 month term.8 County Superintendent M .C.Kirby had The site selection was made April 26, On May 9, 1868, William Henderson begun a campaign to centralize rural 1873 and design of the one-room frame was re-elected president and Martin Eve schools so that they would be convenient school house began almost immediately ritt re-elected secretary. Mr. Despain was to more of the school age children. One of thereafter. The school may have been elected treasurer. Again all terms were for the first successes of this campaign was in completed by December because County one year.9 There is a gap in the school School District No. 8.13 Superintendent Kirby wrote glowingly to records until January 22, 1870 when Wil In December of 1872 a vote was taken the Golden Transcript that Wheat Ridge liam Yule was elected to succeed Mr. to increase the school tax to tt2Yz percent had a new school building ''about the Despain as treasurer. Then on May 2 of of the taxable property in the district". center of the district, near M .N . Everitt's the same year William Henderson was This enabled the school board to erect a farm, and cost about $1,200.00. This elected president, James Harry Robb be school house on land which was part of building deserves especial mention, hav came secretary and William Yule as Abram Slater's farm. The site of the ing been erected principally by the liberal treasurer.10 school was West 38th Avenue at about ity of the citizens of the district ... the Meanwhile school was held for short Teller Street and consisted of about one building is now paid for. The location is a periods each winter. For the 1868-69 acre in the southeast corner of Slater's 80 beautiful one" .17 (Refer to Table One term H. Storm was the teacher. In 1869- acres.14 This land is now part of Wheat regarding Taxes Collected) 70 Ruford Smith taught. Phillip Achey Ridge Junior High School and has been Not long after the erection of the new taught in 1870-71, then Hannah Isaacson used continuously for school purposes school house citizens in the area decided was hired to teach for the 1871-72 school since 1873, the longest such period of to begin a Methodist Sunday School year. 11 school use in Colorado. The one-room which would meet in the new building The first recorded attendance report frame school house was completed in when it was not being used as a school. was given in the 1871 report from the 1874 and the old property at West 32nd This is the beginning of the Wheat Ridge County Superintendent M.C.Kirby of Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard dis United Methodist Church.18 Golden. It showed District No. 8 had an posed of. The 1868 and 1873 schools The May 3 , 1875 elections led to a enrollment of 26 students, with an aver were both known as ttEveritt" School, shuffling of personnel on the Board. L. age daily attendance (ADA) of 14. There named for Martin Everitt, first secretary Wilson Perrin moved from treasurer to were 4 2 children residing in the district of the school board.1s president, David Brothers returned after between the ages of 6 and 21. These fig an absence of one year to serve as treas ures were published in the Territorial THE 1873 SCHOOL HOUSE urer, and George Yule remained as Superintendent's annual report.12 Construction of a new school was secretary-but not too long.19 He soon moved to Gunnison where he established a marble quarry which would be used for many great public buildings including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.c.zo
8 District No. 8 Records, list of teachers. 9District No. 8 Records, May 9, 1870. 10District No. 8 Records, January 2 and May 2, 1870. 11 District No. 8 Records, list of teachers. 12 Annual report of County Superintendents to Territor ial Superintendent of Public Instruction 1871 , hereafter referred to as Annual Report, year. 13 District No. 8 Records, May 6, 1872. 1iDistrict No. 8 Records, December 1872. 15 District No. 8 Records, various dates, 1873. 16Annual Reports, 1871 through 1879. 17 Golden Transcript, December 1873; District No. 8 Records, April 26, 1873. 18Historical Committee, History of Pioneer Wheat Ridge, pp. 1819. 19District No. 8 Records, May 3, 1875. The I 873 School House at 38th and Teller Streets . Known as the Everitt School. Photo courtesy of jefferson 20"Yule" fa mily file in Wheat Ridge Historical Society County Historical Society. library.
3 On June 19, 1876 annual meeting procedures were changed so that officers TABLE ONE were to be elected for a three year term Taxes Collected to pay for Construction of 1873 School instead of the one year terms used before Date of Collection Payee Amount Paid this time. The first two years officer's January terms were staggered to begin the cycle. 1, 1873 George Yule $20.00 Martin Everitt was elected to a three year February 17, 1873 Henry Lee 62.70 term as president, Wilson Perrin was February 17, 1873 George Yule 13.60 elected to serve a two-year term as secre January 15, 1873 M.N. Everitt 41.20 tary and David Brothers was to serve one February 25, 1873 Mrs. Tilley 20.00 year as treasurer .2' February 25, 1873 J. W. Richards 53.12 May 7, 1877 election led to a three February 26, 1873 A.H. Miles 15.00 year term for treasurer David Brothers. In March 10, 1873 David Brothers 30.37Yz 1878 there begins to be a body of statisti March 12, 1973 John Flaherty 25.00 cal information about each school district April 7, 1873 Wm. Henderson 15.00 in the State. These are in the form of April 7, 1873 M.N. Everitt 15.00 reports made annually to the State Super May 6, 1873 Wilson Perrin 15.00 intendent of Public Instruction (later May 27, 1873 Wilson Perrin known as the State Superintendent of 10.00 Schools) by the various County Superin June 15, 1873 A.H. Miles 8.00 tendents of Schools. These reports are June 16, 1873 John Flaherty 17.00 based on information supplied by the June 16, 1873 Wm. Barth 20.00 secretary of each school board. These had July 16, 1873 A.H. Miles 10.00 been required since 1869 but were only July 22, 1873 W rn. Henderson 58.75 sporadically completed and only sum October 27, 1873 Wilson Perrin 15.00 maries were published. After statehood October 27, 1873 David Brothers 10.00 the records of each County were collected October 30, 1873 J. W. Richards 10.00 and bound together and can now be stu November 3, 1873 S. Cort 10.00 died at the State Archives in Denver.22 November 20, 1873 John Flaherty 10.00 In 1877-78 there was a census of 42 November 24, 1873 H.G. Wolff 10.00 children between the ages of 6 and 21 in December 8, 1873 A. Slater 10.00 Wheat Ridge. Average daily attendance December 12, 1873 M.N. Everitt was only 16 and school met for just 60 10.00 days during this school year. The entire December 23, 1873 L.K. Perrin 90.00 school district expenses carne to $180.00, March 18, 1874 T.Keely 25.60 of which $120.00 went to pay the teachers' March 18, 1874 C.C. Carpenter 24.00 salaries. There was a 4.0 mill tax levy and May 9, 1874 A. Slater 10.00 the two teachers who split teaching duties, and the money, were Josie Clark and half of the 2 7 enrolled in the school. tured contests in all three positions. In the Thomas Albin. 23 School was held but 79 days and total regularly scheduled treasurer's race, James Henry Lee was elected secretary on expenditures were only $162.00. Since W. Richards was elected to succeed David May 6, 1878. Lee is known as the ((Father the teachers were paid only $33.00 per Brothers. Both the other two races ended of Wheat Ridge" giving it its name and month, expenses were kept at a min in ties and a second ballot was taken on farming vast acreage in the area now imum. This was the first year assessed May 11, 1880. On that ballot Harvey occupied by Crown Hill Cemetery and valuation statistics were published and Stewart was elected secretary and David Lutheran Medical Center. By 1900 Lee District No. 8 had $60,509.00 and a mill Brothers elected president. Voter partici had acquired 2080 acres in central Wheat levy of 5.0 mills for the year.25 At the end pation in both elections was very small Ridge. But most of his wealth carne from of the school year, on May 5, 1879 James with just 4 and 5 votes cast in each his farm implement business that he W. Richards was elected treasurer for the electionJ28 established in 1865 and operated until term of three years. 26 about 1905. Lee was a member of the In 1879-80 it was decided to increase 2 10istrict No.8 Records, June 19, 1876. State Legislature for eight years.24 the length of the school term to 120 days 220istrict No. 8 Records, May 7, 1877; Annual Reports, 1871 and after. The precedent of hiring a male teacher and the pay for teacher William Mitchell 23 Annual Report 1878. was continued in 1878-79 with the em was raised to $50.00 per month. Total 24 0istrict No. 8 Records, May 6, 1878; "Lee" family file ployment of C. Frank Abbott. Mr. Abbott spending amounted to $461.00. As a in Wheat Ridge Historical Society Library. ZS Annual Report 1879. left in the middle of the year and was result attendance rose to 17 students per 26 0istrict No. 8 Records, May 5, 1879. replaced with P.T. McNulty. Average day.27 Z7 Annual Report 1880 daily attendance dropped to 13, less than The May 3, 1880 school election fea- 280istrict No.8 Records, May 3 and May 11, 1880.
4 It was not until1881 that District No. strict disciplinarian, perhaps too strict. Apparently before 1888 attendance in 8 hired the same teacher for more than He was cited in a lawsuit brought by the the District was not considered manda one term. Virginia Mellon taught 120 and parents of a six year old male student who tory by some of the local residents, since 180 day terms in 1881-82 and 1882-83. was refused admission to the school there was consistently less than half of the One ofher students, Samuel W. Johnson house when he was a few minutes late one children in school at any one time. Some (later a District Court Judge serving Jef snowy morning. McCarthy claimed that Wheat Ridge children attended school ferson County), described her as a south there was a rule requiring pupils to be in outside the Wheat Ridge school district. ern woman, about 30 years of age who place at the designated time for beginning There was no high school curriculum in recounted her experiences after the Civil class the pupil was not in his place at that the Wheat Ridge District and many older War in war-ravaged parts of the South. time. McCarthy was not well liked by the students attended Golden High School or Johnson also describes Mellon as well students and this probably explains the one of the Denver high schools. Samuel liked by her pupils. This is reflected in an low average daily attendance. McCarthy W. Johnson lived in Wheat Ridge and increase in attendance to 25 students per commanded a salary of $55.00 a month, attended East Side High School at 19th day in her first year and 27 students per which the District could afford because of and Stout Street in Denver in 1886 to day in her second year.29 a raise in the mill levy from 2.0 to 3.0 1888. In addition District No. 17 in Ara Meanwhile in the school board elec mills and an accompanying rise in assessed pahoe County opened North Side High tions, James Richards was elected treas valuation.38 School in 1883 in the Ashland School urer in 1881 and Wilson Perrin was The school controversy was just one of building near West 29th Avenue and elected secretary. In 1882 Perrin was re several issues to come before the electors Zuni Street in Denver.41 elected.30 Then on May 7, 1883, in a in the May 1887 school district meeting. Despite the large increase in enrollment fourway race for president, Johan Tobias Whereas there were 13 votes cast in in Wheat Ridge, there only remained one was elected when he received nine of the 1886, 45 votes were cast in 1887. S.H. teacher. Emma Brubaker taught the 70 fifteen votes cast. 31 Greer received 41 of those votes for pupils for nine months, during which Miss Mellon left Wheat Ridge to join treasurer. Greet owned property along time she earned $50.00 per month in the staff at Golden's public schools and Sheridan Boulevard north of West 38th salary. In 1889 the cost of educating one was replaced for 1883-84 by Sarah Avenue.39 child for one month in Jefferson County Combs. Attendance dropped to 20 stu was $1.00 according to County Superin dents per day, but the term of 180 days THE 1889 SCHOOL HOUSE tendent J.S. Eagleton's report.42 was maintained.32 In 1889 residential development along Henry Lee rejoined the school board In May 1888 a lengthy discussion was Wheat Ridge district's eastern boundary on May 5, 1884 when he defeated Harvey held on building a new school house. It with Arapahoe County began to occur. Stewart and Martin Everitt in the contest was moved and seconded for the bonded East of Sheridan Boulevard the suburbs for treasurer.33 The 1884-85 school year indebtedness of five thousand dollars. of Highlands and Berkeley were growing was shortened to 158 days and was under This motion lost but was reconsidered rapidly on the edge of the City ofDenver. the direction of Lillian Brandon, who had and the second time the bond issue car This was before the creation of the City 45 students enrolled in her school. ried by a margin of 30 to 25. and County of Denver, which occurred in Attendance rose from 20 to 28 students At the same meeting David Brothers 1902. Prior to 1902 the city of Denver per day.34 defeated I. Root 4 3 to 22 to fill the final was in Arapahoe County. Highlands and C.L. Holley received only half the votes year of the Board position of president Berkeley were independent towns with for secretary on May 4, 1885 but it was since Wilson Perrin no longer resided their own local governments and local enough to defeat three other contestants. inside the District. For secretary W. W. school boards in Arapahoe County. Holley, a graduate of the University of Wilmore defeated J .S.Ibberson 36 to Michigan, had settled in Wheat Ridge just 30.40 29Annual Report, 1881; Samuel Wallace Johnson, east of the school house in 1880. Active The bonds voted at this meeting were Autobiography of Samuel Wallace Johnson {published in in County politics, he was County Com soon declared illegal by County Court 1961). 30 missioner during the 1890's.35 The 1885- Judge C. C. Carpenter. Carpenter cited an District No. 8 Records, May 1881 and May 1882. 31District No. 8 Records, May 7, 1883. 86 school year, under F.S. Girard, was error in the notice required prior to the 32Annual Report 1882 160 days long and there were 4 2 students election. However, the need for a new 33District No.8 Records, May 5, 1884. enrolled.ln breaking with tradition Girard school house was brought to the attention 34Annual Report 1885 received only $45.00 a month in salary, of the citizens. In 1888-89 school year 35District No.8 Records, May 4, 1885; " Holley" family file in Wheat Ridge Historical Society Library. which was less money than his female both enrollment and attendance rose 36 36Annual Report 1886 counterparts. dramatically. Enrollment rose from 47 37District No. 8 Records, May 3, 1886. Wilson Perrin was elected president of students to 70 equalling a rise of 49 per 38Annual Report 1887 the school board on May 3, 1886. Other cent in one year. Average daily attendance 39District No.8 Records, May 1887. rose from 27 students per day to 57, a rise 40District No. 8 Records, May 1888. The name Ibberson candidates were David Brothers, Frank T. is probably lbbison, a farmer who had 20 acres of land at Johnson and Charles Combs.37 There of 111 per cent in one year. This rise came 3600 Wadsworth Boulevard. The Ibbison's frame farm at a time when the census of children age 6 house was recently moved from Wadsworth Boulevard to were 51 students for the school year another site in Wheat Ridge. 1886-87, under the direction of an Irish to 21 in Wheat Ridge rose from 87 to 41Samuel Johnson Autobiography. man, T. E. McCarthy. McCarthy was a 105, or only 21 per cent. 42 Annual Report 1889
5 Highlands was incorporated in 1875 and Wilmore amended the motion to this city. The people of Wheat Ridge are was later annexed to Denver in 1896. $6,000.00 and Harvey Steward < 6 Wheat Ridge High School in 1907. Built in r889 to serve all grades in four classrooms. Note dates above east ( 1906) and west ( r889) doors. Also located at 38th and Teller Streets. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society. extending frt>m 1891 through 1912. Mr. and the average daily attendance dropped versity of Lebanon, Ohio. He had several Moulton was elected treasurer. 54 to 10 1 a day. During this term four years experience teaching schools in In July 1891 it was decided to rent a teachers were employed by the District, southern Ohio. This was his first Colo room from the Berkeley Methodist Epis including Erwin and a new comer, Bessie rado teaching assignment. He and his wife copal Church at West 43rd Avenue and Shields. Both Erwin and Shields would Margaret settled down in Berkeley in Sheridan Boulevard to serve as a school remain with the Wheat Ridge school for North Denver near the area of West 41st for the children who lived in Mountain the next seven years. Avenue and Zenobia Street. View. During the same monthly a con At the school board meeting of May Ellison supervised Bessie Shields, Dol tractor was hired to remodel a portion of 14, 1891, Charles J. Carrillo was elected lie Simpson and Alice Boyer in his first the yet-to-be completed second floor of treasurer to replace Mr. Moulton. 56 year as principal. During the same year the Wheat Ridge school to serve as a third enrollment increased to 131 school age classroom. J .E. Erwin was hired to teach children in District No. 8. the upper grades. The school board de PROFESSOR JAMES W. In 1893 a panic struck the financial cided to promote Erwin as the principal ELLISON markets of the United States. Colorado of the Wheat Ridge school, thereby mak was especially hard hit due to the demo ing him the first principal of a Wheat In the summer of 1893 James W. Elli netization of silver, then in great produc Ridge school. Erwin's first plea as the new son was hired to replace J.E. Erwin as tion throughout the State. Denver's principal was to ask the Board for free principal of the District No. 8 schools; 55 textbooks for the children. the Wheat Ridge School at 38th Avenue 54District No. 8 Records, May 5, 1891; Annual Report, Enrollment during the 1892-93 term and Teller Street and the Mountain View 1891. under Erwin was somewhat diminished School at 43rd Avenue and Sheridan 55District No.8 Records, July 1891. 56District No. 8 Records, May 14, 1893; Annual over previous years. Only 164 students Boulevard. Ellison was a twenty six year Report, 1893. were enrolled in the Wheat Ridge school old who was a graduate of National Uni- 57 Annual Report, 1894 7 growth had been extremely rapid since Songer replaced Young and Harris. Myr Columbia Heights. This was not done. 1872 and was even stronger after 1886. tle Songer remained a teacher in Wheat Then on May 4, 1896 Jerry Coulehan But all development came a halt in 1893 Ridge for ten years and then was pro made a motion at the school board meet and did not resume for at least three moted to County Superintendent for ing to purchase four lots of land "in the years. Fortunes were lost overnight. Wheat three terms in 1906, 1916 and 1918.62 eastern end of the school district for Ridge was not spared. Assessed valuation Mr. Fiddler was hired on August 24, primary school purposes. " 66 dropped sharply in each year from 1893 1895 as the music teacher for $20.00 a S.H.Greer proposed on September 21, to 1896.58 Regardless of the panic, James month. Carl Blazer was the janitor at the 1896 to sell the district one-half acre but Ellison brought a level of professionalism main Wheat Ridge school and also earned it was reported on October 24 that the to the District No. 8 schools. In 1895 he $20.00 a month.63 deal fell through and the school board requested authority to insist that teachers In the fall of 1897 high school grades was unwilling to proceed without further make out a daily plan and be at school were added to the curriculum for the first instructions. In November another general before and after classes. Wheat Ridge was time. this was the beginning of Wheat meeting was held and land was subse involved in the Teacher's Institutes, which Ridge High School. Golden had the only quently acquired at West 41st Avenue were held to train teachers, many of high school in the County prior to 1897, and Chase Street. On February 23, 1897 whom did not have secondary or colle which was established in 1885. There a vote of 13 to 4 approved the building of giate training. Many of the future teachers were very few high schools throughout a one room school house in Berkeley "out hired for Wheat Ridge attended the newly Colorado in 1897. The high school in of any Special School fund that may be in founded State Normal School in Greeley Wheat Ridge was small. Only one room the County treasury to the credit of the (now known as the University of North of the four available rooms in the 1889 district." At the May 3, 1897 meeting of ern Colorado). Wheat Ridge school was available. In the school board a 5.0 mill special tax levy On May 6, 1895 the school board was 1897 16 high school students crowded was assessed to cover the expenses of instructed by the citizens to offer a course into that small room. One grade was building this school. 67 of study to conform with that of the added each successive year until a full Plans were immediately drawn up for Denver school system. On August 24, four-year high school was in place. Pro the building. On May 22, 1987 these 1895 the school board established rules fessor Ellison, Mr. Fiddler and W .F. plans were amended to add four feet in setting down the responsibility of the Dis Smith were the first high school teachers. length. This delayed construction two trict principal, as Denver schools had Smith was a young man who later became weeks while new estimates were made of done earlier.59 Jefferson County Treasurer and worked the cost. The Golden Globe of July 31, In 1894, 1895 and 1896 there were no for the Colorado State Treasurer's Office 1897 reported: "Wheat Ridge district has changes in the composition of the school for many years.64 built a new brick [school building] in board. William Light remained president, In 1897 the grade school became fully Berkeley and the district has funds on F.M.Schooley remained secretary and C.J. "graded" with each teacher responsible hand to buy the lots and put up the build Carrillo was treasurer. There were 183 for two classes of students. ing. Three years ago this same district was total school age children in the 1894-95 The growth of Wheat Ridge which had in debt $1,000, register warrants paying school year which dropped to 170 the stagnated since the panic of 1893 began interest on the same. Now with all these following year before rising again in anew in 1897. Most of the growth was improvements the district still has a sur 1896-97. The average daily attendance centered along the eastern border with plus of funds and is to add another for the same periods fluctuated at 114, Denver. The increased population came teacher for the next year, making four 121 and 110 respectively.60 in two forms. The first was new homes in teachers in the main building and one in School improvements remained an issue the subdvisions of Berkeley and Colum the annex. "68 during the panic years of the 1890's. On bia Heights and the second was the crea Enrollment hit a new high with 208 July 13, 1895 the subject of repairing the tion of truck garden tracts out of larger with an average daily attendance of 132. It lightning rods on the school house was farms. Several large 160 acre farms had was decided to impose a fee of $3.50 per discussed. Two weeks later painting and been subdivided into 10 acre tracts over calcimating work was awarded to Charles the past twenty years. These included 58The best description of the Panic of 1893 in Colorado Orv and the "water closets" were re Barth's and Henderson subdivisions along is still found in Jerome Smiley's, History of Denver, pub paired. Total improvement costs came to West 26th Avenue and Lakeview Subdi lished in Denver. Author's Note. 61 59 $274.00. vision west of the present Lakeside Shop District No. 8 Records, May 6 and August 24, 1895. 60District No.8 Records, May 1894, May 1895 and May In August of 1895 the school board ping Center (44th Avenue and Harlan 1896; Annual Report, 1894, 1895 and 1896. decided to move the Berkeley Annex out Street). Although some of this land had 61 District No. 8 Records, luly 13, 1895. of the Methodist Church in Mountain been subdivided as early as 1882 sales of 62District No. 8 Records, August 24, 1895. View to a structure rented from Mr. Syl the parcels was very slow until about the 63Annual Reports, 1896-1905, 1907, 1917 and 1919. 64District No. 8 Records, various dates, 1897. vester for $5.00 a month. turn of the century.6s 65Qlson, Suburbanization. The staff in District No. 8 for the 1894- The school district had rented space in 66District No. 8 Records, May 4, 1896. 95 school year was Professor Ellison, Liz which to operate a school since 1891 in 67District No. 8 Records, September 21; October 24, November, 1896 and May 3, 1897. zie Young and Jennie Harris. The follow Berkeley Annex. In 1896 there was a 68Golden Globe, July 31, 1897; District No.8 Records, ing school year Effie Grayson and Myrtle move to relocate the east end school to May 22, 1897. 8 month for non resident students attend, ing for 16 years between 1888 and' 1934. 61 to a total of 311. A rise in school ing school in Wheat Ridge in an effort to Wilmore was a noted nurseryman and enrollment was not so sharp. Grade school defray some of the expenses.69 florist. The established W.W. Wilmore's children numbered 219 and the high In his annual report, J. W. Ellison re, Nurseries in 1886 at Dahlmoor, West school numbered 40. Again the teaching vealed the following statistics for 1897: 38th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. 73 staff had a 60% turnover. The new Annex school primary, 58; Wheat Ridge In the period before the turn of the cen, teachers were Bella Draper, Anna John, primary, 41; Secondary department, 31; tury Wilmore gained international repute son and Elcina Duncan. As in the pre, 3rd Department, 2 7; and High School as an expert on dahlias, although his busi, vious years, these new teachers were des, Department, 2 7. Total enrollment was ness produced all types of flowers, small tined for short stays, averaging 1. 7 years put at 207 students.70 Ellison's salary was fruits and nursery stock. Of all his ac, apiece. In 1900 W.M. Davies was re, raised to $80 a month, an increase of 62% complishments on the school board elected president of the Wheat Ridge in money from 1894.71 Wilmore expressed greatest pride in serv, school board.74 In addition to the Berkeley Annex ing on the board during the construction Another sharp rise in school popula~ school the district continued to improve of the 1889 four,room school and the tion occurred in 1901. The census showed the 38th Avenue School. On May 30, 20,room high school building in 1935. 359 school age children and Wheat Ridge 1898 a proposal by D.A. Montague was The 1899,1900 school year witnessed enrolled 250 students. A basement room accepted for drilling an artesian well. The a doubling of enrollment in the high in the main building had to be pressed specifications called for a usix inch casing school to 24 students. In the grade school into duty at the beginning of the school to bedrock". Cost was 65 cents per foot enrollment was steady, with 196 child, for the first 300 feet and an additional10 ren. Bertha Rollo, Hattie Bayles and Lola 69 Annual Report, 1898. cents per foot for each 100 feet below that Connelly replaced Clara Johnston, W .F. 7°District No. 8 Records, May, 1898. depth.72 Smith and Ola Watson as teachers. At the 71Annual Report, 1899. W.M. Davis was elected president in end of the school year, F.M. Schooley was 12District No. 8 Records, May 30, 1898. 73 District No. 8 Records, May 1898 and May 1899; 1898 of the Wheat Ridge School District reelected secretary of the school board. "Wilmore" family file in Wheat Ridge Historical Society and in 1899 W.W. Wilmore was elected As the new century began a new wave Library; Scott Wilmore, "The History of the W .W . Wil- more Nurseries". treasurer. This was Wilmore's second of of growth swept the district. In just one 74 Annual Report, 1900; District No. 8 Records, May four terms on the school board, extend, year the census of school children rose by 1900. CLASS MOTTO- Quanti est s J ~YO< '.\'I' ION ...... ' Rtn· . .1. W. H. \Yootl. CLASS COLORS-Pink and Pearl Gr 9 rgo6 grade school class in the r88g Wheat Ridge school building. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society. year. No more additions, however, were school year. Myrtle Songer, Clara John, was a separate entry way in each of the needed until 1905.75 ston, Anna Johnson, Mary Fingers and two wings. On the west wing was the year Joseph Gilbert replaced Wilmore as Elcina Duncan were the teachers. Wheat ((1889" hung over the doorway. On the treasurer of the Wheat Ridge School Dis, Ridge High School expanded to 50 stu, east wing the year ((1906" was hung. The trict in May of 1901. A building sinking dents while the grade school held 259 dates represented the years of construe, fund of 3.0 mills was adopted at the same children. tion of the old and new portions of the I' meeting to pay for future building In 1905 a petition signed by 21 citizens building. The other feature of the dual additions.76 was presented to the Wheat Ridge School entry was the segregation of sexes. All the The first commencement at the Wheat Board, calling on District No. 8 to hold a boys entered by way of one of the doors Ridge High School occurred in May of special meeting ((to vote bonds to build a and the girls entered by way of the other. 1900. Chester Wolff was the only stu, new school house or houses, or repair the Although this custom seems strange today, dent in the class of 1900. He entered the old buildings". The Board concurred and it was maintained in Wheat Ridge for ~I high school during the first year of its June 17, 1905 was set as the date for the nearly 30 years.79 existence and continued through the four election. The result was the issuance of The addition was much needed. In year program under Professor Ellison. $12,000 in bonds. This money, along 1905 student enrollment reached 363 Wolff later began a career in teaching with funds in the building sinking fund, students, placing 45 children in each following his graduation from the Uni, was used to build a four,room addition to versity of Denver. the West 38th Avenue school.78 There was no high school class of The addition to the original school 75Annual Reports, 1901 and 1902. 1901. However, in 1902 Edith Coulton, took the form of two wings to the east and 76 District No. 8 Records, May 1902. Roy Crane and John Todd received west of the 1889 structure. In the original 77 Annual Report, 1903. diplomas.77 building there had been a single entry 78District No.8 Records, various dates, 1905. J.W. Ellison was the superintendent of door through which all persons entered 79Based on examination of photographs of the school house before and after the 1906 addition. Photographs in Wheat Ridge schools for the 1902,1903 and exited. After the new addition there Wheat Ridge Historical Society Library. 10 classroom. The High School had 53 stu years. Removing Ms. Songer from the identified as Columbia Heights, was dents. Nine teachers received $5,394 for 1894-1899 statistic the average would growing rapidly and the issue of a primary their teaching skills, or double the amount drop to 1.8 years of employment. Im school in this area was discussed for sev paid for the teachers just five years proved salaries at the turn of the century eral years. The board purchased lots 21 to earlier.80 caused more teachers to remain in the 24, Block 2 of Columbia Heights subdivi The high school class of 1906 gradu profession longer. In the 1894-1899 sion on the corner of West 32nd Avenue ated eleven students on May 24, 1906. period the average salary per teacher was and Chase Streets as the site for the new The commencement was held in the $56.28 a month. By 1900 the average school. Secretary Schooley was appointed Wheat Ridge Methodist Church. The salary rose to $55.78. In 1905 the salary ttto buy materials and live labor to build a class of 1906 consisted of Arthur R. Bar jumped to $66.59 per month.85 one-room school house in Columbia bour,Julia R. Bliner, Richard A. Burgess, A large rise in student enrollment Heights". Work progressed quickly and Leslie M. Chapman, Joseph I. Gilbert, occurred in 1906. 451 students, 375 of the school was ready for use in the fall of Lee W. Kelso, BlancheS. Lewis, Charles which were enrolled in the grade schools 1909. Bertha Bunger was hired as the E. Lowry, Mary L. Wallick, May E. West and an all-time of 76 students enrolled in school's first teacher.92 and Nellie E. Ellison. Nellie was the the high school. The rise in student popu Five new teachers were hired for the daughter of Superintendent Ellison and a lation was attributable to the number of district in 1908. 394 students enrolled future teacher herself.81 Some of these out of district students paying the required that year in the four schools in Wheat 86 young men played on Wheat Ridge High tuition to attend Wheat Ridge Schools. Ridge. The high school had 169 students. School's basketball team. Six boys in Dr. F.G. Roberts, professor of history The board received operating capital from total played under the direction of Coach at the University of Denver, gave the a 15.0 mill levy. In 1908-1909 it cost Ellison who was labeled as the ttfather of commencement address for the eight $2.88 per pupil per month for education basketball" in Wheat Ridge. Ellison was graduates of Wheat Ridge High School in in Wheat Ridge.93 one of the very first educators who advo 1907. The class of 1907 consisted of On October 30, 1908 G.W . Smith was cated basketball as a school sport in Colo Peter E. Anderson, Clarence 0 . Brewster, instructed by the school board to ttsecure rado. Although no formal high school Carll. Fisk, Gladys James, Raymond S. a load of coal for the school furnace" . institution organized basketball as a state Lockhart, Carrie M. Swayze, Carrie A . Earlier a warrant was issued to Mr. Smith 8 wide function up until 1916, Wheat Wilmore and Francis W . White. 7 for hauling coal to the schools for Ridge High School would win its first In 1907 District No. 8 began the meet $188.65.94 State championship in 1915. Since 1915 ing with the new rule, usense of this board In 1908 a grange was re-established in Wheat Ridge High School would win five that any school teacher should use their Wheat Ridge. Grange No. 155 met in the more state basketball championships, the best efforts to keep in touch with the best Wheat Ridge grade school. The school most recent in March of 1991.82 methods and most advanced ideas of district made money from the grange in On May 7, 1906 F.M. Schooley was instruction. Therefore it is made a condi that $1.50 per month was provided the re-elected secretary of school district No. tion of employment that a teacher should school district as long as tt the piano [be] 8 following the reading of the official attend one or more County or State tuned at their expense at least once a school report: 88 Teacher's Institutes yearly". year".95 Teacher's Salaries ...... $5,393.75 Mary Salmon joined the faculty in Leora Powelson was hired as the twelfth Fuel Account Orders ...... $75.00 1907-1908. It was decided that school teacher in Wheat Ridge in 1909. Enrol- School Furniture ...... $169.90 books would no longer be free for high Incidentals ...... $555.00 schools students. This decision, however, Permanent was reconsidered just before the fall term Improvements ...... $1,791.40 began and was applied to non-resident 89 In 1906 Madge Cason and Winifred students only. Later in the school year a BO Annual Report, 1906. scarlet fever epidemic in Wheat Ridge led B1Commencement Program, 19 m eat kiage His- Sibley were hired as new teachers to torical Society Librarv. replace Vinnie Cole and Luella the school board to agree that all school BZWheat Ridge News, Ma rch 1915. Burtchard.83 books in houses where a resident had the BJ District No.8 Records, May 7, 1906. Since 1900 there was less turnover sickness should be excluded from further B4 Both teachers served as administrators elsewhere after 90 leaving W heat Ridge, Songer as Jefferson County Superin among the Wheat Ridge teachers. Em use in any school. The school board also tendent and Ellison in Denver. ployment for more than six years was wrestled with demands for increased wages ss Annual Reports, 1895 through 1906. atypical, and Myrtle Songer who remained for several of the teachers. No more 86Annual Report, 1906. for ten years and Ellison who remained money was allotted for this concern and 87Commencement Program , 1907. on February 26, 1908 three of the eight BB District No.8 Records, May 1907. for eighteen years was almost unheard 89District No. 8 Records, 1907. of.84 The mean length of employment for teachers resigned. Replacements were soon 90District No. 8 Records, 1908. those teachers beginning their careers in found, but the problem of adequately 91District No.8 Records, February 26, 1908 and later 91 dates. District No. 8 between 1900-1905 was compensating the teachers remained. 92 District No.8 Records, June 1, 1909 and later dates. 3.23 years. Those beginning teaching On June 1, 1909 the school board 93 Annual Report, 1909. between 1894 and 1899 remained em decided that a school was needed in the ~D istr ict No. 8 Records, October 30, 1908. ployed in Wheat Ridge for only 2.54 southeast area of the district. This area, 95 District No. 8 Records, March 5, 1909. 11 lment had jumped nearly twenty students public who, for the first time, could get teacher additions from 4 to 13; salaries in one year. 96 tickets to attend.97 grow from $1,866 per year to $7,793; On January 28, 1911 Superintendent and total district expenses rise from Ellison reported to the school board that $4,120 to $9,183. During his tenure as there were 1160 more pupils enrolled at END Of AN ERA superintendent a high school was added present than last year". This with one ELLISON LEAVES to the district. additional teacher hired in 1909. Space in Efforts were made to retain Ellison. He the main grade school basement was con There was a heated three way race for was offered a ten per cent raise to verted into a classroom to handle the treasurer of the school board at the May $1,650.00 per year, which he declined on overflow of students and Ms. Powelson. 1, 1911 meeting. Walter Barbour was June 17. The school board then accepted Excluding music and art, each teacher in re-elected with 156 votes. Otto Kirkeley his resignation and adopted the following 1911 was responsible for forty students got 126 votes and Fred Bunger received resolution: in each Wheat Ridge classroom. 62.98 11 Resolved: That the school board On April19, 1911 the school board, in At this May 1911 meeting Superin extend Prof. J. W. Ellison a vote of an effort to stay up with the rising student tendent Ellison dropped a bomb shell thanks and appreciation of his efforts enrollment, instructed Ellison to buy when he tendered his resignation effec and work that he had given us the past 11 100 blank diplomas or half-tone plates tive September 1, 1911. Ellison had for printing same". In 1911 admission to served as superintendent for eighteen the high school graduation, held annually years and had overseen the growth of the 96 Annual Report, 1910. 97 0istrict No. 8 Records, January 28, 1911 and April and consistently in the Wheat Ridge district from one to three school build 19, 1911. Methodist Church, was made open to the ings; enrollment growth for 131 to 445; 98District No.8 Records, May l, 1911. Tum of the century Wheat Ridge High School graduating class. After commencement photo outside r889 school building. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society. 12 18 years and regret very much to have quirements and established a nutnnon Wheat Ridge basketball games and fol~ him leave us". club where milk was served to under lowed the Wheat Ridge team he nurtured Professor Ellison left the Wheat Ridge weight children. Ellison also worked with from infancy to state championship School District for a career in the Denver the school administration in Denver to calibre.100 School District as principal for several promote a series of multi~million dollar For the Wheat Ridge school system schools over the next fifteen years. His school bond issues after World War I. then next six or seven years were a return first assignment in Denver was Chelten~ Over $10,000,000 was spent in Denver to the high turnover rate before Ellison ham School in west Denver. After a few during the ten years following the conclu~ arrived. Then in 1917 another young years he left Cheltenham and became the sion of the great war to build most of the school administrator was hired. Eliot N. principal at the Logan School in south school buildings still serving the central Freeman would remain with Wheat Ridge Denver. He left Logan School for Elm~ part of Denver.99 for the next twenty successful and en~ wood School and finally finished his Ellison did not lost track of his connec~ lightening years. career with Gilpin School. At Gilpin tion with Wheat Ridge. He continued to School in 1922 to 1926 he supervised live in the community in a house built by 1,329 students. It is said of Ellison that he F.M. Schooley in 1905 at 5400 West knew each of the 1,329 Gilpin students 41st Avenue. The Ellison's lived in this by name and took a personal interest in house until 1925 when they moved to 99District No. 8 Records, May 1 and June 17, 19 11 ; " Ellison" family file in Wheat Ridge Historical Society each of them. Ellison was active in Park Hill in Denver at 2303 Belaire Library. improving child health and safety re~ Street. He also spent time as a referee at 100" Ellison" family file . ON THE COVER (continued from page r) school at the Montana School, which in that were played outdoors. There were continuous academic use until the last 1921, when the school districts consoli~ both boys and girls basketball teams at class was held in 1956. For ten years the dated, became known as Bear Creek High the Morrison School. The girls teams building sat unattended and was subject School. played by the boy's rules, and therefore to wear and vandalism until1966 when it Teachers at the Morrison School were were allowed to compete against the boys. became a private dwelling. required to live five days a week in Morri~ Seven families live or have lived in the The building was named to the National son and participate in community events. Morrison area long enough to see three or Register of Historic Places on September One way to accomplish this was to serve four generations of their descendants 4, 1974. as referees at the school basketball games attend the old Morrison School. It was in 13 GEORGE MORRISON'S CITIZENSHIP Found on pages 1 7 and 18 of Record A witnesses were Judge Charles Lee for the Morrison School House and the of 2nd Judicial District Court records is Ammons; J .R. Gilbert, Deputy Sheriff of founder of the town bearing his name was George Morrison's petition to obtain citi, Jefferson County; and C.C. Carpenter, once a subject of the British Crown. zenship in the United States. Present as Deputy Clerk of the court. The architect George Morrison Declaration of Territory of Colorado and Jefferson County I, George Morrison, do declare on oath that it is bona fide my intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegience and fidelity to all and any foreign prince, potentate, state and sovereignty whatever: and particularly to the queen of Great Britain and Ireland of whom I was a subject. Sworn this 22 day I George Morrison ofMay 1862 C.C. Carpenter Dpy. Clerk 14 Jefferson County Historical Commission Bulk Rate Box 659 U.S. Postage Morrison, Colorado 80465 PAID Permit No. 148 Golden, CO