BUTLER COUNTY HISTORY

September 3, 1978

History of Boston High School

As Remembered by Horace Knight

Submitted by Jewel McCoy

During the school year of 1927, some high school classes were taught to four boys at the Boston Elementary School (Nolan Anderson, Eustice Givens, Rebus Knight and Reber Womack) who were past eighth grade. This program was devised and instituted by Ive Anderson, Butler County Superintendent

of Schools and Lofton L. Knight the teacher.

It was apparent that a high school was needed in this area to benefit these four, plus a number of others who were attending high school away from home at Lewisburg, Rochester, Beech Creek, Morgantown, Ennis, and College High and the many others ready to complete the eighth grade in surrounding elementary schools. At this point in history, small community high schools were being built throughout the country.

Boston community in 1928 was about the most central location for high school in Southern Butler County and, since it was impossible for most of the young people to go away to school, the need was recognized. Boston was a very rural community without roads, railways, or waterways for transportation, not unlike many others at that time. In spite of some limitations, it was long in spirit, cooperation, and desire.

Late in the year of 1927, a plan was worked out with the Butler County Board of Education to build a high school. The plan was that the Board would have a four room building ready for the starting of school on September 1, 1928, providing the community would raise $1,000 cash by January 1, and have the framing lumber on the ground with a deed to the land by April 15.

January 1928 was probably the most exciting month ever for the Boston neighborhood. The only conversation was about the possibility of a high school and whether the $1,000 could be raised. The whole community around rallied to the call and the $1,000 was in hand well in advance of the deadline. Rumor has it that only one person for miles around failed to participate in the venture. Contributions ranged from one to one hundred dollars, as well as promises of labor, trees, hauling; etc., all of which were honored when the time came.

The leadership that surfaced when the time came to cut, haul, saw, and deliver the lumber has rarely, if ever, been surpassed by any community. Those people who took the lead and worked in the rain, mud, and cold weather at great sacrifice were Jesse Anderson, Alex Givens, Luther Givens, Ross Givens, Richard Knight, Turner McCoy, and many others I don’t remember. Relus Brown was most helpful in getting the timber sawed into lumber. Not only did he give much needed advice on the lumber, sawing, etc., he also did a lot of work free, as well as most all the sawing at reduced rates. It was a great community effort.

Another crisis arose about the middle of May. Soon after the building was started, it became apparent that the community would have to haul all the other supplies from Lewisburg since the board didn’t have enough money to pay a reasonable price for this. Right in the middle of the planting season, these same people put their shoulders to the wheel and got the job done. Boston High School meant a lot to a lot of people, as well it should-they built it.

The great day arrived about the first of September, 1928, when 40 or so freshmen with clean faces, slicked-down hair, new overalls, and starched dresses converged on the new building to be joined by several others who had attended high school somewhere else. They were met by two young, eager, dedicated teachers, Lofton L. Knight and Gladys Ingram. They were all eager to learn, and both students and teachers immediately set about doing whatever was necessary to have a good and meaningful school. The young teachers were no older than some of the students but that didn’t matter. There was a feeling of loyalty, respect, and purpose seldom found in any group. The young teachers started from the very beginning to institute some things to make the school the focal point of the community. Basketball teams were organized, plays were produced, father and son banquets were held, and other things. The boys basketball team didn’t have much success the first year or so since only one member of the team had ever seen a game of ball before, but in a year or two things got better. The girls started winning from the beginning since some of them had played a little at other schools. Win or lose, spirits were always high and it was one for all and all for one. It was one of those situations where everyone wanted to be a part of the whole picture..

Miss Ingram started out with a wonderful play that set the pace for later yaears. Boston High School put on lots of good plays during its brief history. Things didn’t change much during the 13 years the high school was in session except after the first few years enrollment became a problem. When that first big class graduated, enrollment dropped and soon there weren’t enough students to maintain the needed enrollment to meet the state requirements. By the end of the spring of 1940, it was necessary to close Boston High School. Starting in the fall of 1940, the high school students went to Morgantown and Rochester. The Elementary School which had only one teacher at first continued until 1970 with as many as three teachers.

The building is now owned by Marjorie Givens and is in excellent condition. Boston High School had a significant impact upon everyone who ever attended it or was associated with it in any way. Her students and graduates have made their mark in many fields but the greatest contribution has been in the field of public education. It certainly served a great need, for with the worst depression in history upon us, it would have been impossible for most of those who attended to have gone to high school anywhere else.

The high school operated 12 years with 75 graduates.