During 1873, the legislature in Frankfort restructured the Commonwealth’s schools by separating the schools from the municipal governments. Instead of appropriations from the city council, the Lexington Board of Education was established as a special taxing district. The Board collected specified taxes on real estate and then appropriated the funds to operate the schools. The board was composed of elected members from each of the four city wards. In addition, the superintendent was elected for a four-year term, by majority vote of the school board.
During August 1873, James O. Harrison was elected the first superintendent of the Lexington Board of Education. In October 1873, Harrison and B. N. Grehan, county school superintendent, established a Teacher’s Institute for training of both systems’ teachers. At the time, there was no requirement regarding a teacher’s education and was required to have only a primary education. During 1877, Harrison was reelected superintendent, but resigned during September 1879, due to “poor pay.”[i]
In 1931, local merchant George K. Graves[1] recalled:
“I entered Morton School about 1873 and received my elementary education there. At that time, there were no telephones, electric lights or running water in the City of Lexington. The school consisted of about six rooms, which were heated by large stoves, and I recall that the pupils drank from a common dipper, water supplied in an old oaken bucket. The desks were built for two and the boys occupied seats in the opposite side of the room from the girls, and a very high board fence separated the play grounds, which were very small and unattractive.”
During those olden days, reading, writing and arithmetic were literally taught to the tune of a hickory stick. The teachers in the grades punished the misbehaving scholars by using a switch or rule, and if the large or older boys were unmanageable, they were sent to the principal, who administered punishment with a leather strap.
In May 1874, Superintendent Harrison reported white attendance of 931 and black attendance of 457. [ii] In August 1895, the city council appropriated per capita of $1.90 for white students and $0.30 for black students for the school year ending June 30, 1876.[iii]
In 1880, John O. Hodges became the superintendent of the city school. In 1882, the city schools conducted a census of children, between the ages 6 to 16, which indicated a total of 4,877 children (3,025 white and 1,852 black) lived within the city limits.[iv] Five years later, the schools reported total white enrollment of 1,353, with Morton reporting 432, Harrison reporting 281 and Dudley reporting 640.[v]
In 1881, the old Dudley School was closed and a new building was built on site. This larger building (with twelve rooms) consolidated the old Dudley and Annex students. The Annex was temporarily closed.
In 1888, M. A. Cassidy[2] replaced Hodges as superintendent of the Lexington City Schools. The council voted nine for Cassidy and three for Hodges.[vi] At the time, the system consisted of three schools, totaling 24 rooms. These schools offered a graded system, with a five-month term. In the late 1880s, an annex was built to Dudley School to expand enrollment. In 1890, the term was expanded from five to seven months.
Johnson School No. 4 <UK>
The Johnson School[3] (City School No. 4) was erected during 1889-1890, on the northwest corner of Limestone and Fourth Street. The school was named after Mayor Claude W. Johnson. In September 1892, the first kindergarten classes were established at both Dudley and Johnson. During 1894, Harrison and Morton added kindergartens. In 1892, the Davidson School (City School No. 5) was established in the old Annex School on Bolivar Street. The school was named for Mayor J. Hull Davidson. The school handled temporary overcrowding, while plans were developed for several new schools. The Davidson School was closed in 1903.
In 1892, W. Rogers Clay[4] was appointed city superintendent to replace M. A. Cassidy, who accepted the position as the county superintendent. Superintendent Clay stated that the city schools faced overcrowding, lack of experienced teachers and needed to improve the curriculum to include practical and vocation courses. He also noted that the white and segregated schools used the same curriculum.
In September 1893, the city schools implemented a night school for the students who worked during the day.[vii]
In 1894, Superintendent Clay indicated that:
“The fast disappearance of that prejudice[5] which, without reason, has existed in the South against the public schools. The opening of each session brings us new pupils who have never attended the public schools before.”[viii]
During 1894, the Duncan School (City School No. 6) was opened in an old residence on the northeast corner of West Second Street, west of Bruce Street. The school was named after Mayor Henry T. Duncan. This school operated temporarily for three years to meet overcrowding.
|
Budget (1894) |
White |
Colored |
|
Salaries |
$16,964.16 |
$4,965.25 |
|
Supplies |
$2,738.14 |
$1,127.36 |
|
Furniture |
$1,030.23 |
$392.35 |
|
Repairs |
$1,020.23 |
$340.36 |
|
Rent |
$260.00 |
|
|
Insurance |
$72.00 |
$54.70 |
|
SUBTOTAL |
$22,084.76 |
$6,880.02 |
|
TOTAL |
|
$28,964.78 |
During the fall term of 1895, the city schools reported 1,950 white pupils, with an additional 240 in kindergarten. By the next term, attendance increased to 2,246 white pupils, with 440 pupils in kindergarten. An additional 1,519 black students attended segregated schools.[ix]
In 1899-1900, enrollment in the city had expanded to 4,698. There were 84 teachers (Morton - 5, Harrison - 5, Dudley - 17, Johnson - 20, Davidson - 4, Russell - 15, Colored No. 2 - 9 and Colored No. 3 - 9).[x] Departments of Music and Drawings were also created and offered classes at the white schools.
In 1903, M. A. Cassidy returned as the superintendent of the city schools. The curriculum consisted of a primary education of the first to eighth grades. Grades nine and ten were introduced at Johnson and Dudley Schools, in conjunction with the primary classes.
In April 1903, the School Board approved the construction of two new school buildings to meet the increasing enrollment. The schools were the West End School, built on Bruce Street, and the East End School, built on Maxwell Street. Both buildings were designed to the same plans (with 16 classrooms) and specifications. The budget for each school was $27,500 each.[xi] The actual costs of the West and East End Schools were $27,136.25 and $27,687.25, respectively. The addition $551 for the East End School was for an extra stone foundation, because of the slope of the ground. The West End School replaced the old Harrison School; the East End School was named the Maxwell School.[xii]
In June 1903, Superintendent Cassidy reported the following enrollment figures:
White Schools
|
|
Enrollment |
Average |
|
Morton No. 1 |
242 |
157 |
|
Harrison No. 2 |
278 |
175 |
|
Dudley No. 3 |
613 |
508 |
|
Johnson No. 4 |
944 |
703 |
|
Davidson No. 5 |
353 |
217 |
|
TOTAL |
2,430 |
1,760 |
Kindergarten
|
Morton No. 1 |
125 |
57 |
|
Harrison No. 2 |
134 |
60 |
|
Dudley No. 3 |
66 |
33 |
|
Johnson No. 4 |
101 |
52 |
|
Davidson No. 5 |
90 |
37 |
|
West End |
111 |
55 |
|
TOTAL |
627 |
294 |
Colored Schools
|
No. 1 |
541 |
367 |
|
No. 2 |
421 |
260 |
|
No. 3 |
403 |
217 |
|
TOTAL |
1365 |
844 |
|
TOTAL |
4,422 |
2,898 |
In addition, Cassidy reported the following financial results for the last year:
|
Tax Receipts |
$100,309.96 |
|
State Treasurer |
$ 1,147.97 |
|
Tuition |
$ 1,134.00 |
|
Examination Fees |
$ 28.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$102,619.93 |
|
White School Salaries |
$ 39,818.43 |
|
Colored School Salaries |
$ 16,942.51 |
|
Kindergarten Salaries |
$ 8,661.00 |
|
White School Supplies |
$ 2,015.12 |
|
Colored School Supplies |
$ 749.69 |
|
Kindergarten Supplies |
$ 632.99 |
|
White School Repairs |
$ 1,424.78 |
|
Colored School Repairs |
$ 83.53 |
|
Rent |
$ 1,160.00 |
|
General Expense |
$ 4,364.80 |
|
Insurances |
$ 308.80 |
|
Census |
$ 517.96 |
|
Interest |
$ 3,324.80 |
|
Balance |
$ 22,615.52 |
|
TOTAL |
$102,619.93 |
In 1904, the legislature extended the school year from five to six months. However, many schools operated for nine months in many districts. The charges for the extra three months were supplemented by the district taxpayers.[xiii]
Harrison School, 1906, rebuilt in 1904 on the original site
On September 6, 1904, Superintendent Cassidy dedicated three schools, including Harrison (2:00 pm), Maxwell (3:30 pm) and Morton High School (4:30 pm). In September 1904, Superintendent Cassidy reorganized the school system and expanded the curriculum to include the high school, with grades nine to twelve. The old Morton School was converted into a high school to offer students advanced education. At the same time, the primary students were transferred to the new Maxwell and rebuilt Harrison Schools.[xiv]
On September 4, 1907, the Bullock School opened on North Ashland, at Clay Avenue. The school operated for several years, as a temporary school to meet expanding enrollment. In 1907, classes in manual training for boys and home economics for girls were established. In addition, compulsory attendance and truancy ordinances were enacted by the City Council.
In 1907, the Board of Education approved a bond issue of $75,000 to fund new school buildings.[xv] The old Morton School was demolished and new high school facility constructed on the site. Herman L. Rowe was the architect and Combs Lumber Company the builder. The new school also named Morton opened in 1909.
M. A. Cassidy <UK>
Morton High School, 1908
In 1908, the Lexington Board of Education approved $10,000 for the construction of the Lincoln School, a combined public and settlement school, with vocational and recreational facilities. This was the first school named for Lincoln in the south. The school was located on West High and DeRoode Streets (replacing the old West End School). The school intended to serve the Irish immigrants, working for the railroad, living in “Irish Town.” To support the settlement programs, Madeline McDowell Breckinridge, great granddaughter of Henry Clay, raised over $30,000 from wealthily industrials. The largest donor was Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, who donated $1,000 for the school. The school was completed in 1912, with classrooms, a laundry, cannery, swimming pool, and afternoon and evening classes for adults. Elizabeth Cloud was appointed its principal, a post she held until 1921.
Letterhead, 1908 and 1909 <FCPS>
In 1910, the first adult education classes were conducted for students above the truancy age, who had to work during the day. Classes were held at night. In 1912, the Parent Teacher Association was formed at all schools to involve parents.
Between 1912 and 1919, the total enrollment in the city schools increased from 4,986 to 6,079 pupils. This represents additional students of 1,093, or an increase of 156 per year, during the seven-year period. In 1912, there were nine schools within the city limit.[xvi]
In 1916, the school board issued $400,000 in bonds to finance the construction of three new schools. These funds built the Lexington High, Booker T. Washington (segregated) and Ashland Schools. In 1917, there were twelve schools (four segregated), with 173 teachers (49 black).
Lexington High School <UK>
In 1918, the school system was reorganized on the elementary (grades 1 to 6), immediate (grades 7 to 9) and high school (grades 10 to 12) plan. Lexington High School opened in 1918 and was located on South Limestone at Fourth Street, replacing the old Morton High School. Morton was converted into a junior high school. In 1923, Dunbar High School (segregated - all grades) opened on the west side of Upper Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets.
|
Salary Schedule (1919) |
White |
Colored |
|
Superintendent |
$3,000 |
|
|
Business Director |
$2,200 |
|
|
Principal - Elementary |
$1,200 to $1,300 |
$900 to $1,000 |
|
- Junior High |
1,600 |
* |
|
- Senior High |
$2,000 |
$1,400 |
|
Teacher - Elementary |
$550 to $800 |
$450 to $500 |
|
- Junior High |
$800 |
* |
|
- Senior High |
$900 |
$550 |
* included in Elementary Salaries
In 1920, enrollment in the city had risen to over 6,500, of which 4,923 were white and 1,579 were black. In 1923, the Jefferson Davis Elementary School opened on South Limestone. The ground floor housed elementary students, while the second floor temporarily contained junior high students.
Lexington High School basketball team, state champions, 1920 <UK>
In 1926, an athletic field was completed for the high school, which was located behind Jefferson Davis. The athletic field was named Cassidy Field.
Sign on side of Lexington Brewery, 1922 <UK>
In 1922, Lexington High School’s Blue Devils[6] won the National High School Basketball Championship. The championship game was the Lexington vs. Mt. Vernon (Ohio). The final score was Blue Devils - 44, Mt. Vernon - 28.
In 1927, construction began on a new high school located on Main Street, at Walton Avenue. The new school was named for Henry Clay on July 4, 1928, after a request of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The new high school was intended to meet overcrowding at the Lexington High School.
In September 1928, the new Henry Clay High School opened, with the pupils transferred from the Lexington High School. At the time, the students were also transferred from the old Morton School to Lexington High School, which became a junior high school. The junior high students at Jefferson Davis were then assigned to the vacant Morton (which also became a Junior High School) and Jefferson Davis became solely an elementary.
Henry Clay High School, 2010 <Ambrose>
During 1928, the Board of Education faced the loss of Superintendent Cassidy, who died after forty-four years of leading the school system. During his tenure, the school system expanded from three schools to over twelve schools, all of modern construction. He instituted a requirement that all teachers have college degrees. He expanded the curriculum to include kindergarten, junior high schools, high schools, manual training, physical education, music and home education. In addition, he introduced the penny lunch, laundries in the basements of schools for both children (and parents) and opened building for community use.
In 1929, Guy Whitehead[7] was appointed superintendent. Unfortunately, he died suddenly the next year while undergoing surgery.
In December 1930, Prohibition agents raided a house on East High Street and found a copper still, 200-gallons of mash and 6-gallons of whiskey. E. W. Bryant was arrested. The house was owned by the Lexington Board of Education.[xvii]
In 1930, Henry H. Hill[8] was selected superintendent for the city schools. In 1934, after the city annexed a portion of Tates Creek Pike, just outside of the old city limits, the school board purchased a ten-acre parcel. This tract was divided into the northern portion for Cassidy Elementary School and the southern portion for the new Morton Junior High School. Cassidy opened in 1936 and Morton in 1939. The old Morton School was demolished and the site sold.
During December 1940, Dr. Hill resigned to accept a position as dean of the University of Kentucky. In January 1941, Benjamin B. Herr, business manager, was appointed acting superintendent of the city schools, while the board searched for a permanent replacement. In August 1941, Dr. W. T. Rowland, Jr. was appointed superintendent of the city school systems. Dr. Rowland had been the assistant superintendent of the Louisville public schools.[xviii]
[1] Graves was the great, great grandson of William Morton. He was a partner in Graves, Cox and Company.
[2] Massillon Alexander Cassidy was born during 1856 in Morristown, Tennessee, the son of an educator. During the Civil War, Cassidy served in the Confederate Army. After the war, he studied law in Knoxville and practiced for several years. In 1885, he was elected Superintendent of the Lexington City Schools serving until 1892, when he was elected Superintendent of the Fayette County Schools. He serviced two terms with the county schools and in 1901 returned to the city schools. He serviced until 1928.
He was regarded as the father of the progressive schools laws passed by the Legislature in Frankfort, between 1893 and 1905. The Lexington Leader stated that he was “familiar to every teacher in Kentucky.”
[3] In 1940, a new Johnson School was completed on East Sixth Street. During World War Two, the old Johnson School building was used by the Signal Corps as a training facility and packing plant. The facility was demolished during 1951, after being damaged in a fire.
[4] Judge William Rogers Clay was born in Lexington and was a great, great grandson of Henry Clay. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1885 and Georgetown University in 1889, with a law degree. While attending Georgetown, he was the private secretary to Senator James B. Beck. During 1890, he returned to Lexington and served as Superintendent of the city schools for three terms, from 1892 to 1903. He then became the city solicitor and in 1907 became a Judge on the Court of Appeals (serving until 1921).
[5] Public vs. private schools.
[6] The Blue Devils also won the state championship in 1918, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1924 and 1983. The Blue Devils are tied with the Lafayette Generals, with six state championships each, for the most titles in the state.
[7] Whitehead was born during 1887 in Harden County, Kentucky. He graduated from Western’s Teacher’s College and Peabody College. He left the Louisville Public Schools, as assistant superintendent, to accept the Lexington position.
[8] Dr. Hill was born during 1894 in North Carolina. In 1930, he received his doctor’s degree in Secondary Education from Columbia University. In 1930, he became the Superintendent of the Lexington Public Schools and a Professor of School Administration, at the University of Kentucky. He later served with the St. Louis School System and President of Peabody College.
[i] Lexington Press, August 20, 1873, page 11, column 1 and October 10, 1873, page 4, column 2 and Lexington Transcript, September 8, 1879, page 4, column 3.
[ii] Lexington Press, May 8, 1874, page 1, column 3.
[iii] Lexington Press, August 12, 1875, page 2, column 2.
[iv] Lexington Transcript, May 2, 1882, page 4, column 2.
[v] Lexington Transcript, September 18, 1887, page 4, column 3.
[vi] Lexington Leader, June 16, 1888, page 1, column 5.
[vii] Lexington Leader, September 27, 1893, page 3, column 3.
[viii] Wright, page 138.
[ix] Lexington Press Transcript, September 17, 1895, page 5, column 2 and Lexington Herald, January 11, 1896, page 5, column 3.
[x] Kelly, page 87-88.
[xi] Minute Book, Board of Education of the Lexington City Council, 1891-1894, April 23, 1903, pages 8-9.
[xii] Lexington Leader, May 8, 1903, page 5, column 3.
[xiii] Lexington Leader, September 4, 1904, page 6, columns 1-7.
[xiv] Lexington Leader, September 7, 1904, page 3, columns 1-2.
[xv] Lexington Leader, September 7, 1904, page 3, columns 1-2.
[xvi] Department of Education, Financial and Building Needs of the Schools of Lexington, Kentucky, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1919, pages 37-48.
[xvii] Lexington Leader, December 14, 1930, page 1, column 1.
[xviii] Lexington Leader, August 18, 1941, page 1, column 2 and Lexington Herald – Leader, August 24, 1941, page 28, column 1-2.
