EARLY
HISTORY OF THE TALENT SCHOOL
BY
ELTON PETRI
MAY 15, 1973
It is said "The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." The fear
of the Indians contributed its share in the beginning of knowledge in
the Rogue River Valley, particularly in the Talent area. It was
while the settlers were "forted up" at Fort Wagner that the
need for a school was discussed, and action taken to establish one.
Fort Wagner was located on the west bank of Wagner creek and south of
Old Pacific Highway, on what was later known as Evergreen Gardens or
the W. H. Breese place. (It is now occupied by mobile homes.)
The office of I.E.D.
in Medford has nearly three pages of data contributed by Anna Beeson
Carter, daughter of Welborn Beeson; from whose diary much information
has been derived and from which we will quote from time to time. It
would seem from this data, that the first school in the area was
taught in the upper story of the Samuel Colver house in Phoenix (Pike
or Pike Town) in the winter of 1853. It is stated that this was not
so, as the house had not been built at that time. An entry in the
Welborn Beeson Diary for Christmas Day 1856 has this statement:
"Colver has his large house built up two story high, but it is
not covered yet." This statement would seem to preclude any
possibility of there being any school at that location in the winter
of 1853.
Quoting from the
Beeson Diary, December 15, 1853: "In the evening of this date
Father and I went to a school meeting at the Fort. At this meeting
it was decided to build a schoolhouse near a spring on the Smith and
Chase Donation Land Claims. The Rev. Fletcher Royal is to go around
with subscription papers tomorrow." From the Beeson Diary
on May 15, 1854: "I went to help raise the schoolhouse. Father
(John Beeson) hauled a load of lumber for it. There were 13 men to
help raise. We got it raised. I think it will be ready for meeting
soon." Information from the diary of Orson Stearns is said to
state that the schoolhouse was constructed of pine logs, 16' x
32'.
Among the first
pupils, were children from the Anderson and Reames families as well
as Welborn Beeson. The books were those brought by the settlers
across the plains or around the Horn. The first teacher was Mary
Hoffman. The Andersons, from which Anderson creek derives its name,
lived west of Talent; the Reames' property adjoined the west side of
the Anderson property. The Beeson claim was south of Talent, and
included such places as the Holdridge, Carter, Foss and Gleim
properties. An entry on May 16, 1856 in the Beeson Diary may be a
clue to other pupils who attended: "I went to hunt for a cow
that got out of the pasture last night, but I could not find her. I
stopped at the school (afternoon)..... I went in a swimming with
Calvin Wagner, Joe and Sam Robison, Thomas Reames and Orson Stearns
in Bear creek. The water is rather cold. It has been a very warm
day." After the school was organized, it was to be known as
the Vernon School; and in the Beeson Diary, it is frequently referred
to as the Mt. Vernon School. As to its exact location, we can not be
sure. From all information, both written and hearsay, it would seem
it stood on the West bank of Bear creek; a short distance downstream
from where the present road crosses Bear creek, at Suncrest and Fern
Valley. Judging from a copy of an old map it would seem to have been
in Sec. 23 of Township #38S, Range #1 West of the Willamette
Meridian. There was also a cemetery quite near the school as the
Beeson Diary frequently refers to burials taking place there. One
instance was of a man by the name of Fields who was killed by Indians
on the Siskiyous (at the place where the present road leaves the
highway to the ski resort at Mt. Ashland.) His body was brought to
the school before being removed to the cemetery. [this is incorrect Mr. Petri could have read this wrong - the actual name of the first school which Welborn Beeson himself attended was called Eden school. It was located somewhere along Bear Creek near what is Suncrest Rd. - Mt. Vernon School was off what is now Valley View Road near the North Ashland freeway exist. The hill along Ashland Lane is where the school and small cemetery was located]
There seems to be no
definite date available as to when the Vernon or Mt. Vernon School
met for the first time. It is known that the settlers were interested
in more than just education in the three "R's" for their
children. Long before the schoolhouse was completed, they were
planning the religious training of their children as well. From the
Beeson Diary, we have these entries: May 21, 1854 "On this
date the first Sunday School was organized. Father went to a meeting
at Mr. Rockefeller's Rev. Fletcher Royal preached. He organized a
Sunday School. If the new schoolhouse is finished, it will commence
Sunday." June 11, 1854 "Sunday, Father and I attended
Sunday School at the new schoolhouse. Mr. Rockefeller was elected
superintendent. There were quite a number for the first Sunday
School in the Rogue River Valley." Thus the fourth "R"
entered into the life of the community. [This entry refers to the Eden School house not the Vernon school]
After the
schoolhouse was completed, it was used for many purposes. Among the
usual, was the Singing School that met there. Something which people
of this day and age hear little of. From the Beeson Diary of June
25, 1854: "Quarterly meeting today and tomorrow, 25th &
26th of June 1854. A great many present. The house was full and
many outside. Mr. Wilbur preached assisted by Mr. Hoxie and Mr.
Taylor." (The first quarterly meeting in Jacksonville was held
September 24, 1854, in the new church in Jacksonville.) Another
meeting held in the building, that was not a credit to the community,
was one at which the above mentioned (Rev.) Mr. Taylor presided. This
meeting was referred to as a "Protest Meeting" by
Welborn Beeson. At this meeting action was taken that caused
Welborn's father to slip away in the dead of night. He went to Fort
Lane and was given a military escort out of the valley. The meeting
"protested" the speaking and writing by John Beeson,
defending the Indian cause. Rather ironic, that a man who was so
influential in having the building erected should find himself the
victim of action taken therein.
There seems to be no
record as to how long the Vernon School existed as such. It is known
that about 1856 a school was built on Wagner creek. It was no doubt
the one which was sometimes referred to as the George Lynch School
and sometimes as the South School. A school was later built
approximately in the N.E. corner of the Everett Beeson field on the
Wagner Creek Road. It was sometimes referred to as the North Wagner
Creek School. In later years, when the school ceased to be, the
building was removed to the Talent Orchard Co. west of Talent. The
South School which was Dist. #56 remained until it consolidated with
the Phoenix District in July of 1951. A third school was built in
the central part of Talent and is now used as the City Hall.
Students from this school wishing to complete high school had to go
elsewhere, usually to Ashland to complete their training. Following
the construction of the present brick building in 1911 a four year
high school was instituted.
The Anderson Creek
School District #72 was split off the Talent School District in 1892.
It was first situated about a mile and a half up Anderson creek from
the first fork in the road. At that time a sawmill stood on a flat
between the present road and the creek. One of the mill shacks was
renovated for the schoolhouse. Its first teacher was a Grant
Rawlings, who later became County Recorder, the first ever elected on
a Populist ticket. The Populist Party was a political group which
was somewhat meteoric in life, in that it flourished quite
effectively for a few years and then died out completely. (At
this same time Welborn Beeson, Jr., became Deputy Assissor as he was
an effective worker for the Populist Party.)
District #8 was
another school which few people knew existed in this day. This
District consolidated with Talent on January 16, 1948. It was
commonly referred to as the Windy Point School. It was first located
on or near the old Ben Sheldon place, east of Talent on Kenutchen
creek and later removed to Windy Point. From Archie Ferns we learned
that he and his brothers and sisters attended this school. His
brothers, Clarles and Mark, also attended this school. From Frank
Davis of Ashland, we obtained the information that the school was
correctly named, for the building was frequently warped by the wind
which blew with such force that if the door was open, it was almost
impossible to close, if closed it could scarcely be opened. From out
of somewhere we heard that Clarence Lane of Ashland attended
there as a boy. It is entirely possible that among the students
could have been Jim Briner, uncle of Everett and Ellis Beeson, and
Sylvester ("Ves") Patterson. It is known that these two
attended the same school and were boyhood playmates, and they did
live in that area, as the Pattersons were large property owners in
the district.
In about 1911 or
1912 the district was divided into Valley View and Fern Valley. Among
the early high school students to attend at Talent were the three
older Stratton children from Valley View. The old Windy Pont School
building may be seen standing in a pasture across the Suncrest Road
from the Ivan Olson home, having been removed from Windy Point. It
is now being used as a shed and barn.
In 1949 50 the
white building to the East was built. The building, now Talent Jr.
High, was completed during the school year 1954 55; the high
school moved to the new facility, leaving the original building to
the grades four through eight. During this time Roy Parr was Talent
School Superintendent. He served in this capacity for about 27
years, ending his superintendency in 1960 when Talent and Phoenix
consolidated. At this time E. R. James became the superintendent of
the district. The high school moved to Phoenix and all 7th and 8th
graders of the district took over the former Talent High School.
Elementary principals serving during this time were Loran
Casebier, Bruce Hitt and R. E. (Gene) Farthing.
Later, as the school
population continued to increase, the building south of the primary
building was added. Henry Pete was superintendent and George
Zickefoose was principal.
The original brick
structure was continued to be used as classrooms for grades five and
six and for the Library, lunchroom, resource program, special
services, furnace room and storage for all six grades.
During the present
school year, 1972 73, the brick building was declared unsafe for
school use. Double sessions were instituted for levels one
through four in the primary building, and the fifth and sixth levels
utilized the newest building. Upon the passage of the bond issue to
build a new structure, mobile classrooms were moved in and full day
sessions were resumed in January 1973. Hot lunches were served in
the gym. The original brick building was last used for classrooms
during the superintendency of Anthony Scafani and the
principalship of Wm. Rupp.
=================================================================
SCHOOL HISTORY
from THE LOOKOUT 1938 Annual
A few high school
subjects were taught in the old school building, which is now the
Talent city hall, but a regular high school was not established until
the new school was built in 1911. J. B. Coleman was chairman of the
school board and Welborn Beeson and G. A. Morris also were board
members when the new school was erected. The money for building the
new school was raised by selling bonds. F. C. Smith was the
principal when the school opened in the fall of 1911. At first the
freshman and sophomore classes were taught and the juniors and
seniors were sent to Ashland.
The first year there
were just two pupils in high school and the second year there were
three. F. C. Smith was principal for two years. In 1913 a vote was
taken as to whether to teach four years of high school, and the
majority thought that it would be best.
G. W. Ager, who had
been principal in 1910, returned in 1913 and stayed four years. He
was followed by P. L. Spencer in 1917. H. C. Baughman came in 1918,
but he died in the middle of the term and G. R. Robinson picked it up
in January 1919. He finished that term and the next. In 1920
and '21, H. B. Jewett was principal, E. E. Evans started in 1922 and
stayed three years. While L. P. Miller was principal in 1927, '28
and '29, the high school students went out among the people of the
communitiy and got donations to build the gymnasium. The boys built
all of it except the roof. Following Miller came C. R. Bowman,
principal in 1930 and '31, and in 1932, R. H. Southwick. Then, last
but not least, is our present principal, Mr. N. B. Ashcraft, who has
been here five successful years.
In the 27 years of
the history of Talent high school the enrollment has grown from two
pupils to approximately 60 pupils. Talent high has won many trophies
in sports and athletics and has been, indeed, a successful school.
===================================================================
HISTORY OF TALENT HIGH
SCHOOL from THE BULLDOG 1948 Annual
The Talent School
Building was built in 1911, a two year high school was established in
1915, and approximately two years later, a four year high school.
The first graduating class consisted of one student, Mrs. Everett
Bailey (nee Maude Rice.) This was in 1919.
Another activity
which was very popular for a few years was the county track meet
which was held at Talent. Competitors from all over the county would
be at Talent for this field day. There were hot dog and lemonade
stands just like the old time county fairs and everyone had just as
much fun. In 1917 Talent was outstanding, having won two cups in
track. These meets were discontinued at Talent about 1926, a few
years after a track field was established at the Fair Grounds near
Medford.
The first Talent
Annual was started in 1938. It was called THE LOOKOUT. The next
year the name of the annual was changed to THE TALENT and last year
it was again changed by an amendment to the constitution. This time
it was called THE BULLDOG. There have been many changes and
improvements from time to time until the annual has become one of the
most important features of the school year.
The school gymnasium
was started in 1929 by the student body and was finished later by the
district. In the last few years there have been many improvements to
the gym including enlarged seating capacity, rest rooms, a storage
room and a music room.
Talent High was the
first "B" school in Jackson County to start school
carnivals. Since then others have followed the lead, but in our
opinion anyway, we think we have had the most successful ones. The
net proceeds from the annual carnivals have gone into the student
body funds and have helped buy many of the things which have improved
Talent High from year to year.
In 1939 six man
football was started as a competitive sport. Here also Talent was
first and had a good following of all the other "B" class
schools in Jackson County. We have had our share of defeats and
victories, ranging from a very poor team to winning the county
football championships in 1943, 1944 and 1945. Football has been a
favorite sport with many of the students and towns people and
the competition between the schools has been sharp and educating in
sportsmanship.
Talent was the only
"B" school in Oregon to have a lighted football field up
until last year; now there is one other located near Portland. This
field was built and paid for by the student body out of funds raised
by the students through contributions and school activities. The
fence around the field was also built and paid for by the students.
Basketball is
another sport to which Talent High has devoted much time and energy.
We have had some excellent players who have contributed much to the
winning of county championships in 1921, 1922, 1933 and 1943.
Here, also, we would like to say something about Talent Yell Leaders.
They have been many and of varied types, but always they have done
their best to give the ball teams the much needed boost in moral.
The school colors
were changed in 1940 from orange and black to burnt orange and black
because of the difficulty in obtaining good looking athletic
equipment in the proper colors. Burnt orange was more vivid, quite
an improvement, and has since become well known as Talent's
colors.
The insignia of the
school was also changed in 1939 from "Hornets" to
"Bulldogs," and it is doubtful now if very many people
recall that we were once "Hornets."
In 1939 Talent High
had many innovations among these were the organization of a
school band and orchestra, and girls' drill team with majorettes,
girls' and boys' glee clubs, and the production of Talent's
first operetta. Up until this time class plays had been given each
year then however, they were changed to "all school"
productions.
There was a general
re arrangement in 1940 of the administration of Talent
High. Up until this time there had been no constitution for the
school. A constitution was adopted by the student body, an active
student council was also established and a few years later the office
of Business Manager was created. The Business Managers are the
financial managers of the school, and their job entails a lot of hard
work and great responsibility.
In 1940, 1941 and
1942 the student body sponsored "Home Comings" for the
alumni which consisted of a banquet, dance and lots of fun. This
event was discontinued because of such a rapid increase in the number
of alumni and no increase in the school funds.
Another thing Talent
has of which to be proud is the record of its girls. Besides winning
the County Basketball Championship in 1925, Talent girls were for
years acclaimed to be the best groomed and nicest looking girls in
the surrounding territory.
Talent has also
prided itself in being able to place its girls in the business world
thoroughly trained and fully capable of holding responsible
positions. There have also been many certificates and awards won in
our commercial department, and in 1947 we won national honors in the
International Commercial Contest.
Graduates from
Talent High have attended universities and colleges all up and down
the coast. Most of them are successful businessmen or farmers, with
a few in the lumber and fruit industries.
Talent High can
always be proud of the men and women who have passed through her
portals. They are good substantial citizens who would do credit to
any educational institution.
Those people who
have attended Talent High will, we know, always have a "warm
spot in their hearts for her," and it is not without regret that
we merge with Phoenix, although we know it is probably educationally
sound.
