The Wilson High School, in the District of Spring Township was established in the year 1929. The first graduating class from Wilson High School was 1930. According to the first annual Wilsonian Yearbook, the Senior Class History reads as follows:
The Settlement 1930, the first to be founded in the educational world of Spring Township, four years ago sought to locate in the West Lawn school building. The first year of our settlement, when we were known as Freshmen, was filled with many adventures. That year we were uncertain whether we would reach our goal in Spring Township or be separated and sent to other settlements. The settlers numbered twenty-six...At the close of the first year we, the settlers, were informed that we would continue in the old settlement as Sophomores. This year a new leader introduced himself into our midst. That winter was a hard one. As we were in need of funds, the settlers staged a play entitled "Sunshine" in which all members took active part...During the year, a loan was secured for a new settlement and the settlers were assured that they might continue in the original settlement until the new one was founded. The Junior year was weathered. Courses were selected and the settlers began more earnest preparation for their life work. We began our Senior year in the new and majestic settlement of Wilson...The settlers have established a precedent and set up a standard of work, ambition, and sincerity. We propose that, building on the foundation of '30, this standard will continue to rise as the years roll by. The settlers have been represented in all activities. Our message to our underclassmates is:
Carry on, Wilson High,
With colors ever true.
Wave in the mountain breeze
The white and blue.
Make ours the fruitful past,
Have our efforts crowned with fame.
Lift up our glorious name.
(Nettie M. Stross, '30)
The library in this "majestic settlement" was a small room to the right of the main entrance. It was small, even by 1929 standards. In 1958, renovations were made to the main building and a wing was made to extend west down Grandview Blvd. During these renovations, the library was going to be placed where the gymnasium eventually was built in the new wing. It was then decided that the library would be housed across the hall from its present position, and constructed in the auditorium. Since a new auditorium was going to be constructed in the new wing, this seemed like a sensible decision. That library (see picture at top of page) served the high school until 1986 when it was eventually renovated. During renovation, the beautiful moldings and the balcony of the original auditorium were exposed. Unfortunately, they were not included into the final plans for the renovated library. The central feature of this new, two-floor library was its spiral staircase (see other picture above). Finally, in 1998, the present library was constructed in the old gymnasium, its original planning site, back in 1958. |
