From the beginning the people of Summerfield were eager for education. Their children must have every advantage.
Even before the town was granted its charter (October 12, 1889) a school was organized. On September 25, 1889 John S. Smiley deeded 16 lots to the town to be used as a building site for a schoolhouse.
A one room wood frame building was built on the southeast comer of the block and school started.
Eight grades of elementary education were offered. J. M. Kendall was the -first principal and Mrs. G. Shadle was the primary teacher.
In 1892 an addition was built on to the original structure. The school then had two rooms. This was a Grade School.
In 1893 school opened on September 4 and for the first time a few advanced subjects were added for those who had completed the eight grades of elementary school. The subjects were taught by the Grade School teachers.
According to school records, school began on September 4, 1893 and closed on May 25, 1894. It was an eight month term offering ten years of education. There were sixty pupils enrolled and a faculty of three teachers. R. P. Evans was superintendent. N. Sharpe and Frankie Welch completed the faculty. The high school subjects taught were Physics, History, Physical Geography, English and Algebra.
The next term ran from September 3, 1894 to May 1895. The records show an enrollment of 58 pupils, 1 colored.
In 1898 the first class was graduated from Summerfield High School. The five members had completed the two year High School course.
The members of the first graduating class were: Ruby Conard, Mae Dugan Hutchison, Fannie Fleming, Zella Mitchell and Willard Tarr.
In 1899 a one room addition was built above the existing two rooms. The Grade School was on the first floor and the High School occupied the one room upstairs.
The school was reorganized with two teachers in the Grade School and one teacher responsible for all the classes offered in the two year High School.
The teachers for this term were Wesley Cope, superintendent and High School instructor and Grade School teachers Homer Seip and Blanche Glick.
Wesley Cope received $50.00 per month; Homer Seip, $35.00 and Blanche Glick, $30.00.
There was an enrollment of 102 males, 82 females, a total of 184 pupils.
The term was thirty-two weeks. The receipts were $1,513.19. Expenses were $1,473.38, of this $920.00 was salary.
The valuation of the school property was $4,000.00.
The school enrollment continued to grow.
In 1904 there were 104 boys and 117 girls, a total of 221 pupils.
One more teacher was added to the faculty in the High School.
This was a tragic year for the Summerfield School. It was plagued by illness and on February 14, 1905 came the worst blow of all. On Saint Valentine's Day the schoolhouse burned to the ground.
The following is an account of the fire as taken from the Summerfield SUN for February 17, 1905.
About 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon the pupils of the high school room noticed that the floor of the room was getting exceedingly warm, the room becoming so warm that the window had to be opened. About fifteen minutes to four the professor discovered that the fire had broken loose just back of the coal box and immediately stepped to the hall and rang the fire alarm. The greater share of the scholars thought it was merely a practice drill as did all the teachers except the professor, but as soon as they had reached the outside they were told to get what wraps they could without getting into too much danger. One of the larger scholars was then sent to town to give the alarm and a crowd was soon at the scene of the fire and everything was done to save the building but this was soon found to be a useless task and they then turned their attention to saving the books and wraps of the scholars.
The fire first broke loose in the space between the upper and lower rooms of the building. There is a space there about four feet in depth and running the full size of the building and the flues pass through this space. It seems that the flue had struck a leak in this space and had filled it with gas and as soon as the blaze broke loose this gas ignited and spread the entire length of the building and it was at this time that the fire was first noticed by the professor and it was but a few minutes until the fire broke out on the north side of the building. About thirty minutes after the alarm was rung the building was in ashes. The greater share of the seats and books in the two rooms downstairs were gotten out safe but nothing to amount to anything in the upstairs rooms was saved.
Professor McKinley is to be highly commended on the proficiency with
which he had drilled the scholars to respond to the fire alarm and nothing
but the time and practice which he has expended on them in this drill could
have gotten them out of the burning building in such good order and without
any fatalities. The attendance the day of the fire was about one
hundred and thirty and it is no easy matter to clear a building as large
as the one in which they were in, in
that short a length of time.
Those who helped at the scene of the conflagration did everything in their power to save all of the furniture that was possible and the coolness with which those in charge worked was something remarkable under the existing circumstances. The wind was blowing a stiff breeze from the west and several of the houses on the other side of the street were only kept from burning by the hard work of those who were there. Had it not been for the snow on the ground we dare say that other buildings beside the schoolhouse would have been consumed.
The schoolboard in connection with the teachers held a meeting the same evening and it was decided upon at that time that a mass meeting should be called the next evening to decide whether or not the board should go ahead and try to finish out the school year the best that they could by procuring the necessary room in some of the vacant buildings. The teachers also agreed that should they vote to discontinue the school, that instead of demanding their wages for the entire time they would be satisfied with the payment of this months wages.
The following is an account of the fire written by a pupil of the school.
Emma Craven was a member of the class of 1912. This is her story
of the fire.
The Burning Of The Schoolhouse
Emma Craven (1912)
One cold day in February when the ground was covered with snow, I was sitting in the school room studying. Suddenly the fire bell sounded. All the students rushed from the building. On reaching the walk in front of the building someone called "fire". I then noticed that smoke was coming from the primary room. Our schoolhouse was afire. I rushed up stairs to get my wraps. In passing through the halls I noticed the red flames in the primary room. I hastened downstairs and stood on the lot just north of the schoolhouse.
People were coming from all comers; some were carrying pails, others were carrying fire extinguishers. Water was poured on the fire, but it continued to spread. The first floor was entirely aflame. The flames began to creep over the roof. In a short time the whole building was a mass of black smoke and dancing red flames. The flames grew higher; the roof fell in. The sides, covered with cracking flames, seemed to be completely gone; suddenly the crash came, the walls fell in. Our schoolhouse was no more. The coal in the cellar was still burning, but the people were turned toward their homes. The smaller children were crying because they had lost their valentines and books but the older people were solemnly wondering what was to be done for a schoolhouse.
Dr. L. H. Stephens, the local dentist, called a meeting to establish a temporary school, and with Dr. Calhoun, the minister of the United Presbyterian Church, established the Summerfield Subscription School. The tuition was $25.00 per pupil. The school held classes in the Eureka Hotel. Students of the grades 7 through 10 were able to complete their school work for the year. Twenty-five pupils attended.
The school had two teachers and was a success. Six students graduated from High School that year.
The report to the County Superintendent for the year 1904-05 was as
follows:
"The school was brought to an abrupt close by fire which destroyed
the building. By subscription the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grades were
permitted to finish the work begun.
This report is necessarily inaccurate by reason of interruption of the school term by scarlet fever and fire."
Immediately after the fire, work was started on a red brick building. The new site was on the northeast comer of the block, straight north of the first schoolhouse. It was completed in 1905 at a cost of $12,000. The High School course was lengthened to three years. During the 1905-06 school year an effort was made to replace things lost in the fire. The following were purchased: 250 classics, 1 - 14 foot wool bunting flag, 1 Edison Mimeograph, 1 globe and 8 Artotypes-framed.
In 1910 the first four year High School course was offered. There were two High School teachers.
On Arbor Day 1910 the students planted elm trees on and around the school yard. Andrew Nestor donated the trees. The boys drove teams of horses with wagons to Mr. Nestor's farm, dug the trees and brought them to town and the students planted them. There was a bottle containing the names of the students and teachers who took part in this work, buried at the roots of one of the trees.
Normal Training was added to the curriculum in 1915. From 1915 until, the 1940's Summerfield High School trained many young teachers. These young people started out as teachers in the rural schools of Marshall County. A large number of them went on to successful careers as teachers. Some of Summerfield's best teachers have been "Home Grown".
Another teacher was added to the faculty in 1915. Summerfield now had four High School teachers and for the first time all were college graduates.
The school report dated July 16, 1915 states the valuation of the building
and grounds to be $15,000. That year the people of the town met to
decide whether or not the school should expand its facilities. The
record of the district clerk for June 21, 1915 states that there were 336
qualified voters and 68 school children between the ages of 5 and 21 in
the school district.
A petition was passed around and was signed by 135 voters, only 5 of
whom were women. This petition called an election to vote bonds in
the amount of $6,500 to erect an addition to the present building.
The election took place on, August 23, 1915. Of the 117 votes cast, 116 were for and 1 against the proposal.
A contract was given to H. Bellas of South Auburn, Nebraska for $5,395.
After the addition in 1916 the two story brick building held the facilities for an eight year elementary school and a complete four year high school course.
In the basement of the building was a furnace room, two rest rooms and a small gymnasium.
The first floor had four rooms and a large hall.
Each room had one teacher and two grades.
This floor held the eight years of elementary education. Sometimes the rooms were full to overflowing.
The second floor belonged to the High School. There was a large Assembly Room or Study Hall across the west end of the building. Three rooms designated the English, Science and Math rooms were used for classes. The second floor also had a large central hall and two cloak rooms, one for the girls and one for the boys. There was also a small office for the Superintendent.
A belfry with a large bell was an important part of the schoolhouse.
The bell was rung morning and afternoon to start the sessions. It was also used to mark the time for recess.
Remembering the tragedy of the 1905 fire, two fire escapes were provided for the second floor. One was on the north and one on the south side of the building.
The staff of the school usually had four Grade School teachers, one for each two grades and four High School teachers, one of whom was the Superintendent.
There was also a custodian for the building and grounds.
The Superintendent, besides keeping the school in order and records complete also taught a fair share of classes.
The four teachers were completely responsible for everything in High
School- classes, discipline, sports, music, dramatics, banquets, class
parties-everything. It was a full time job.
In 1916, W. H. Seaman, County Superintendent reported "the two most
progressive schools in Marshall County are Waterville and Summerfield."
Through the years the school kept in step with the times. The students participated in Scholarship, Spelling, Dramatic and Sports contests and held their own with other schools of the county.
In 1937 one year of typing was added and taught to Juniors only.
In April of 1937 a petition was presented to the schoolboard to erect a building to house a school auditorium, vocational agriculture and home economics facilities. The election was held April 23, 1937, at the City Hall. The bond was defeated by nine votes.
When the plan to build was defeated the school gymnasium was remodeled to serve as a Home Economics room. By adjusting classes and space three new courses were offered-Home Economics, Manual Training and a Commercial or Business course.
In 1940 the school building was modernized and water piped in.
In 1941 a stage was erected on the second floor.
In 1943 the southeast cloak room was remodeled into a Library.
In 1946 a hot water unit was added and showers were installed for the girls.
On October 8, 1948 an election was held. As a result the school was divided into a Grade district and a Rural High district. The change became effective with the start of the school year in 1949.
During the 1949-50 year many improvements were made in the old building. All the rooms were refinshed and a new lighting system was installed in all the rooms. Bus transportation was provided for the students.
As the years passed the red brick building began to show its age. Cleaning, patching and painting was not the answer. During the depression of the thirties the school was crowded, hard to heat and it was plain it needed to be replaced.
Finally the State Officials said if Summerfield intended to maintain a school there must be new facilities.
On May 5, 1953 the patrons of Summerfield Rural High District #3 and Summerfield Grade School District #137 voted their approval of the construction of a building to house both units of education.
The bond issue of $245,000 for the construction of the building was approved by a vote of 217 for and 167 against in the High School district. The Grade School district voted 187 for, 62 against and one spoiled ballot.
The new school was built at the north end of Main Street, on the east side.
The building is constructed of masonry block with an exterior of tan brick facing. It contains twentythree rooms besides numerous closets and storage space.
It has four standard elementary class rooms and High School facilities for Bookkeeping, Typing, Science, Home Making, Shop, Vocal and. Instrumental Music, Study Hall, Library and Hot Lunch.
The combination auditorium gymnasium is used by both grade and high school students. It has a maple floor, steel trusses and is insulated as the rest of the building is.
The building was designed by James W. Radotinsky, Architect and built by the VaBorden Construction Company.
The dedication ceremony was held Wednesday, November 23, 1955. A crowd of more than 600 people came to see the new building.
A former superintendent of the Summerfield school was the speaker for the evening. W. K. Beggs of the faculty of the University of Nebraska told of his years as a teacher in Summerfield. His address was titled "The Hidden Community". On December 14, 1956 an auction of the old school property was held. Everything was sold. Surplus equipment and supplies that had not been moved to the new building, the school house and grounds were all sold.
The schoolhouse and grounds were resold several times. At present they belong to Joe Holsan. He has taken the bell down and partially dismantled the building, only the four brick walls and the roof are left.
As time passed education became more expensive. It was almost impossible for small schools to maintain the standards set by the State Board of Education. A group, never clearly identified, began to agitate for a change in the State School System.
The school districts were to be redrawn and unified into larger districts. Under this plan all of the Rural Grade Schools and many small High Schools were closed.
After much discussion and voting Axtell, Beattie and Summerfield were to be unified as a district with each retaining its own school.
This plan was not acceptable to the majority of the voters. Beattie
withdrew and asked to be unified with Marysville.
The district had to be redrawn and finally Bern, Axtell and Summerfield
were organized into Unified District #488.
1966 was the last year Summerfield operated as Rural High No. 3 and Grade School District No. 137.
That year the school had a term of 180 days. There was an enrollment of 211 in the school.
In High School there were 36 boys, 40 girls and the Grade School had 69 boys, 66 girls.
The total expenditures that year were $68,148.34 for High School and $48,590 for the Grade School.
Since 1967 Summerfield School has operated as one unit of District #488. Axtell and Bern complete the district. Each unit maintains its own Grade and High School.
In 1968 a three room shop was built behind the schoolhouse.
For the school year 1977-78 the district has a budget of $1,057,573.37. Of this amount $250,000.00 will be spent to operate the Summerfield School.
There is a total enrollment of 121 students in the Grade and High School, 45 High School, 21 Junior High and 55 Grade School.
There is a faculty of 1 principal, 3 elementary teachers, 10 high school teachers and 2 lay teachers.
The school also employs 3 bus drivers, 1 custodian and 3 cooks, 2 of them full time.
When Summerfield School was organized, its aim was a good education for the children of the community. The fundamentals of the three R's were stressed. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic were taught with classes in Spelling, History and Geography added as the time and faculty permitted.
In 1898 when the first class graduated there were no school organizations and no organized sports.
The second graduation was held in 1903. The first quartette was organized that year. It was made up of four sophomore girls. They were Estella Webster, Ella Tarr, Blanche Evans and Nellie Dugan.
In 1908 Summerfield had its first football team. The story is that Fred McClure attended a football game in Manhattan, Kansas and came back so enthusiast., about it that the boys organized a team. The first team had fifteen players. They were Ira Transue, Ole Garrison, Ernie Garrison, Charles Smiley, Charles Webster, Ray Adams, Harry Craven, Frank Thoman, John Black, Jesse Fleming, James Dugan, Fred McClure, Roy Graham, Arthur Hutchison and James Moore. Their coach was Frank McClelland.
The first game was with Beattie. They were defeated by a score of 80 to 55. When Beattie came to Summerfield for the return play, there was a sudden and surprise ending to the game. One of the Summerfield players, James Dugan, fell on the ball and completely flattened it-flat as a pancake. That was the only ball Summerfield had, so the game was ended abruptly.
Early records show that in 1909 the school had a Baseball team and in 1911 a Basketball team. There probably were earlier teams.
Track was and is an important part of the school athletics.
The boys were not the only athletes in the school. As early as 1911 the girls had a Basketball team. This girls team included Hazel Hartman, Grace Tarr, Birdie Flemming, B. Morrill, Minnie Flemming and A. Weber.
Being a member of an athletic team in the early days of the school was very -different from today. To play games at Axtell or Beattie the students traveled by team and buggy or wagon. When playing Frankfort, Marysville or Waterville they packed their suitcases and took the train to their destination. They played their game in the afternoon, stayed all night and came home on the train the next day.
The teams were not as well provided for in those days.
Whatever equipment was available was used to the best advantage of the team. Often a player leaving the game gave his helmet to a player going in.
There is a picture of the football team of 1919. Only one player had shoulder pads. All but two of them have regular football pants. None of them had helmets or football shoes.
Sports was not the only interest of the school. There were yearly Scholarship and Spelling contests. The County Oration and Declamation contest was held yearly until 1936.
Many clubs have been organized and disbanded through the years.Two of the early clubs were the Athenians (Seniors and Freshmen) and the Zelagathians (Juniors and Sophomores). These two groups put on programs to entertain each other.
At one time there was a Parliamentary Law Club that studied Robert's Rules of Order. Their aim was to learn to conduct an orderly business meeting.
There was another group known as the Torture Club. The members played ukuleles and enjoyed their meetings immensely.
There was a Letterman's Club, a G. A. A. group and the Kayettes.
For most of the years the school has had some kind of a newspaper or
bulletin published for the students. One of the earliest was called
the Flashlight. There have been others; the Megaphone, the Blarney,
the Echoes and the Cat's Purr.
In 1937 the school published the first edition of the Shamrock and with the exception of a year or two during the war it has been published every year since that time.
With very few exceptions the school has presented a Junior and a Senior Class Play each year. It has also had the traditional Junior-Senior Banquet nearly every year.
There is not enough space in this brief history of the school to name all of the teams and their records. We cannot tell of all the school's heart warming victories or heartbreaking losses. The school has had its full share of each. From 1898 through 1977 the school has awarded diplomas to 949 students.
This can be said "from the beginning of the town until the present time, the people of Summerfield and surrounding community have worked hard to make quality education available to the children and young people of this area."
In 1928 Solon E. Summerfield, a nephew of Elias Summerfield, originated a scholarship at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. The scholarship gives four complete years of study at the University.
In 1938, Donn Gordon Mosser, a senior in Summerfield High School was awarded the scholarship.
It was the first, and so far the only time a Summerfield student won the Summerfield Scholarship.
In 1938, Solon E. Summerfield was the head of the "Gold Stripe Hosiery
Line".
For it isn't by money you measure a school,
Or the miles that its borders extend.
For the best things you gather, what ever the school,
Are contentment, enjoyment and friends.
If you live and you work and develop your school,
In spite of the fact it is small
You may find that your school-your own little school
Is the very best school after all.
from the 1942 Shamrock