1959 Reardan Gazette History of School

This page is part of the Reardan History 1959 booklet that was written by the Washington State History class of 1958-1959.

From the Reardan Gazette

The earliest visible sign of education hereabout was a very small building known as a schoolhouse. No one seems to know when or how it was built, but settlers who came in 1879 found it standing unused on what has been since known as the Peter Walsh ranch.

Eighteen-eighty records a three-months session of school. In 1881 there was no school, but it was in session again in 1882. Miss Sneider who came from farther west in the Big Bend is the first and only teacher mentioned in connection with the building. There were few pupils, among then the four Stroup boys who came from the farm now occupied by M. W. Ahern. There is no further record of this as a school, but it was sold to a Mr. Huston who moved it to his farm opposite the Harder place. P. N. Tramm was one of the few pupils attending school there.

In this last year (1882) the plat of Fairweather was filed in the office of the auditor of Spokane County. It was named for W. H. Fairweather, a prominent official of the Northern Pacific Railroad.

The Northwest Tribune of Cheney dated June 23, 1887, says, "Out of the five houses in town the only one ever occupied is the schoolhouse." The Fairweather school was built in 1883 by popular subscription, the land having been donated by Mr. Sheets who then owned the Fairweather townsite. It was located on Central Avenue on the south side of the alley, which places it nearly opposite the Runkle house (the house nearest the cemetery).

Eighteen eighty-three has another important significance. Lincoln County as we know it was organized in that year. We hear much today of community centers, and we think of them as modern institutions. Here was a community center functioning in the fullest sense, nearly 50 years ago. This humble schoolhouse served as a gathering place for the people inspired by whatever purpose. It was church, theater, and dance hall.

Many will recall the memorable July 4, 1887, when the whole countryside turned out for the barbecue. It was said that the crowd compared favorably in size with any that might be attracted to Reardan today.

The county record of our early school affairs is very meager. 1884 shows cash on hand September 4, $12.00. Tgus was checked out and 1885 began with a deficit of $0.48. During that year school moneys recorded aggregated $101.84. No teacher was mentioned thus far. None is mentioned in 1886, although we know from firsthand information that Mrs. Leila Runner taught here during that spring for $35 per month and "board around." Also, we know that at least two teachers preceded her.

Eighteen eighty-seven records $145 paid to Amma Waterhouse; 1888, $159.50 to Miss Boorman. Others mentioned in 1889, Cora Hull; 1890, Laura Gibson; 1891, Marshall Hall, in the spring.

The next school year, 1891-1892, Mr. Bech [Beck] had charge, and there is some evidence that the younger children were instructed by Mrs. Beck in a room in what was known as the "Old Hotel." This seems to indicated a reason for erecting the first brick building which was probably occupied in the fall of 1892, with Mr. and Mrs. Beck in charge. The old wooden structure passed out of school affairs and later appeared in a new form.

Mrs. Raymer will bear emphatic testimony to its ink spots which were plainly to be seen in the dining room floor of what was the old Driscoll home, and which she tried to eradicate by vigorous scrubbing during her four years of residence there before moving into her new home.

John Davidson, William Schultz, and Mr. Olson were directors when the bonds were voted for the new building, and they attended to the selling of them. Substituting Chris Hague for William Schultz, the same board supervise the building. Two school rooms were provided on the first floor, and the second floor was the new community center.

After Mr. and Mrs. Beck, Mr. Alkire taught, followed by Mr. Whitticker. In 1896, William McClure, now a prominent lawyer in Pittsburgh, and Gertrude Buckman (Mrs. P. N. Tramm) were teachers; in 1897 Jerry Newhouse and Nelly Hamilton; in 1898, Nelly Hamilton and Frances Baldwin; and 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Webster.

Beginning in 1900, Mr. Padley served as head of the school for four years, then as assistant county superintendent for one year, and again as principal for five years. He introduced high school work gradually, and at the close of his last year, the first high school class, Ernest Davidson, Albert Ryder, and Charles Zeimantz, was graduated. The 1910 class numbered three: Iva Davidson, Ella Moriarty, and Josephine Lacy. The present high school building was erected in 1906.

After Mr. Padley the next outstanding superintendent was Mr. Putnam now superintendent of schools in Ellensburg, who for two years held the position of high school principal, and in 1912 became superintendent. During the four years he served, the high school was placed on the state accredited list.

Mr. Aldrich next claims our attention. He came in 1914 and taught two years. Then he left the profession, but in 1923 was recalled to Reardan as head of the schools. By devotion and hard work he has brought our system to its present high standard. We have a grade building, the finest in the county, an outstanding corps of teachers, and a district property valuation of $2,445,452.

Additional Facts

The largest class was graduated in 1925, numbering 21.

Charles Warren was clerk of the election board which voted bonds for the old brick school building and served in the same capacity for the building dedicated tonight [must be the grade school building built in 1930].

Washington was not admitted as a state until 1899, so District No. 10 was organized under territorial government in 1887, on February 7, Mr. H. C. Pryor became superintendent of public instruction for Lincoln County.