Prosper School
IN DEDICATION TO THE STUDENTS OF PROSPER HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS OF THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
HEREWITH IS THE HISTORY OF YOUR SCHOOL
by Juanice Stanton, November 25, 1963
Prosper School Open House
The original building of Prosper School had its beginning in 1902, when the first school house was built on the land where the old school campus now stands. The first building, a two-story, four room, frame building, stood where the present frame gymnasium now stands.
The school consisted of three teachers. The principal was J. B. Henderson and his first assistant teacher was Miss Anne Keen, who married C. E. Beanland and lived in Prosper for the remainder of her life. Second assistant teacher was Miss Leta Higginbotham, who later married Reverend Glen Sneed, a Presbyterian minister.
The first term of the school began early in January - 1903, with an enrollment of approximately one-hundred students. That building was sold in 1910 and was moved to the "Ma Webb Corner" and was operated as a hotel for several years.
In 1911, a two-story red brick building was constructed on the same plot as the present old school building now stands. The school had advanced to a five teacher school.
The building was destroyed by a fire in 1923. Injured in that fire was Mrs. Tom (Maggie) Talkington and Mrs. V. D. (Lois) Settle when they leaped from the second story of the burning building.
The year of 1924 saw another two-story, red brick, 9 classroom building constructed on the same foundation to replace the burned out building. Also added to the campus was a frame building from Hutchinson (White Elephant), which was converted into the present frame gymnasium. Another frame unit was moved from Walnut Grove; this served as the first and second grade rooms. Still another frame building was moved from Pleasant Ridge (Possum Trot); this building housed the homemaking department. An agriculture building, with shop facilities, was constructed on the campus in 1951. A five stall, tin, bus shed was added to the school complex.
Each of three buildings has served its purpose well and will continue to do so in the future; but, under different environments.
The people of the Prosper district voted a bond issue, 6-1 in favor of a new school in May, 1962. The bond issue for $320,000 was approved. This included repairs and improvements of the colored school at Rock Hill, plus a ten-acre tract of land for the new school plant. Of the total approved, $315,000 was spent on the project.
The 20th day of November, 1963 saw a complete new school campus and location, as the 237 students, 14 teachers, and 7 auxiliary workers traveled approximately three blocks farther to enter the building for the regular functions of a school.
The new school building is placed on a gently sloping site so that each building unit is on a different level. It is a sprawling, one-story, orange-red brick with a total of 30,700 square feet.
Contained in this unit are six elementary classrooms and nine classrooms for the junior and senior high students, a cafeteria and auditorium combination, an administrative wing, and a gymnasium....
All classes are conducted in the new building, except shop, which will continue to be in the old shop.
Superintendent W. H. Moseley stated that discussion was underway as to the utilizing of the old campus. It is hoped the building which formerly housed the first and second grades can be moved to the ball field downtown and be used for a field house. The old gymnasium & cafeteria will be open to the community for large scale, supervised functions and activities. The bus shed will continue to shelter the buses. The other frame building and the old brick school building have not been designated at the present time....
STUDENTS OF THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
HEREWITH IS THE HISTORY OF YOUR SCHOOL
by Juanice Stanton, November 25, 1963
Prosper School Open House
The original building of Prosper School had its beginning in 1902, when the first school house was built on the land where the old school campus now stands. The first building, a two-story, four room, frame building, stood where the present frame gymnasium now stands.
The school consisted of three teachers. The principal was J. B. Henderson and his first assistant teacher was Miss Anne Keen, who married C. E. Beanland and lived in Prosper for the remainder of her life. Second assistant teacher was Miss Leta Higginbotham, who later married Reverend Glen Sneed, a Presbyterian minister.
The first term of the school began early in January - 1903, with an enrollment of approximately one-hundred students. That building was sold in 1910 and was moved to the "Ma Webb Corner" and was operated as a hotel for several years.
In 1911, a two-story red brick building was constructed on the same plot as the present old school building now stands. The school had advanced to a five teacher school.
The building was destroyed by a fire in 1923. Injured in that fire was Mrs. Tom (Maggie) Talkington and Mrs. V. D. (Lois) Settle when they leaped from the second story of the burning building.
The year of 1924 saw another two-story, red brick, 9 classroom building constructed on the same foundation to replace the burned out building. Also added to the campus was a frame building from Hutchinson (White Elephant), which was converted into the present frame gymnasium. Another frame unit was moved from Walnut Grove; this served as the first and second grade rooms. Still another frame building was moved from Pleasant Ridge (Possum Trot); this building housed the homemaking department. An agriculture building, with shop facilities, was constructed on the campus in 1951. A five stall, tin, bus shed was added to the school complex.
Each of three buildings has served its purpose well and will continue to do so in the future; but, under different environments.
The people of the Prosper district voted a bond issue, 6-1 in favor of a new school in May, 1962. The bond issue for $320,000 was approved. This included repairs and improvements of the colored school at Rock Hill, plus a ten-acre tract of land for the new school plant. Of the total approved, $315,000 was spent on the project.
The 20th day of November, 1963 saw a complete new school campus and location, as the 237 students, 14 teachers, and 7 auxiliary workers traveled approximately three blocks farther to enter the building for the regular functions of a school.
The new school building is placed on a gently sloping site so that each building unit is on a different level. It is a sprawling, one-story, orange-red brick with a total of 30,700 square feet.
Contained in this unit are six elementary classrooms and nine classrooms for the junior and senior high students, a cafeteria and auditorium combination, an administrative wing, and a gymnasium....
All classes are conducted in the new building, except shop, which will continue to be in the old shop.
Superintendent W. H. Moseley stated that discussion was underway as to the utilizing of the old campus. It is hoped the building which formerly housed the first and second grades can be moved to the ball field downtown and be used for a field house. The old gymnasium & cafeteria will be open to the community for large scale, supervised functions and activities. The bus shed will continue to shelter the buses. The other frame building and the old brick school building have not been designated at the present time....