09/03/2026
Recently, our archives received a program for the dedication ceremony of the then-new Clinton High School, which took place over four days from November 18 to November 22, 1924.
This is the history of the Clinton Schools that was included in the program.
History
Past records show that in the early forties, a school building was erected on the corner now owned by Mr. Terwilliger. (NW corner of Milwaukee & Allen)
Some twenty years later, part of the present site was purchased and a building was erected at a cost of $3,500.00. In the course of time this structure proved inadequate for future needs and a new one took its place. This building was erected at a cost of $13,000.00.
It was thought, when this building was completed, that as far as housing facilities were concerned, the youth of Clinton had been well provided for. But in the march of educational progress more up-to-date equipment had to be purchased from time to time and more courses had to be added to the curriculum.
Manual Training and Domestic Science were added to the course of study in 1914, and other advantages were included, which attracted the young people of the surrounding communities to our school.
Soon this building became too small for the increasing demands made upon it and the high school students were obliged to leave and find accommodations elsewhere. In 1922, permission was granted to the School Board to use the City Hall for high school purposes. The City Hall was used for the high school quarters during the school years 1922-23, and 1923-24.
The new Clinton High School was completed in the spring of 1924 at a cost of approximately $100,000. It is a strictly modern structure in every respect, and will accommodate in the neighborhood of 200 students. The building is three stories high, is built mainly of brick, tile, concrete, and stone. It presents a beautiful and permanent structure.
Wide, terrazzo corridors and stairs, well-lighted and well-ventilated rooms and beautiful woodwork of oak, help to produce an atmosphere conductive to good work.
One hundred double coat and book lockers, take the place of the old unsatisfactory cloak rooms, and toilet rooms are located on each floor for both boys and girls. Shower rooms and athletic equipment lockers are provided for boys and girls. The girls' shower and locker rooms are located on the South end of the building and the boys' are located on the North end. On the first floor is situated the large, 40x60 gymnasium, the shower and locker rooms, the Physics laboratory, and the Manual Arts shop, and assembly rooms. The boiler room is also located slightly below the first floor.
On the second floor are located, the principal's office, two classrooms, the Domestic Science kitchen and Sewing room, and the balcony of the gymnasium. On the upper, or third floor are located, the beautiful, and well-lighted high school auditorium, with a capacity of about 200 students, the library, moving picture booth, two classrooms, the commercial department's rooms, the teachers' rest room, and the first aid room.
The high school auditorium and the gymnasium are both equipped with excellent stages, so that meetings can be situated in either one of these quarters, according to the demand.
