Ludlow School History

The first school house in Ludlow, a one-room building, was erected in 1873 on land donated by Mrs. L. D. Hoffman. The school house was used as a polling place, and for church services. Public meetings of all kinds were also held on the premises. It was located on the present site of George W. Olmstead's swimming pool.

At this early school, pupils ranging in age from six to twenty were taught the three R's. Grammar was not introduced until a later date. Twenty-five pupils were in attendance, and as the town was growing fast, it was apparent that a one-room school would no longer take care of the needs of the community. It is interesting to know that of the sixteen schools in Hamilton township, Ludlow was the largest. The large number of school buildings may be accounted for, when we recall that a school house was erected wherever a sawmill was built. In contrast today, there are but three schools in the entire township

In 1887, an old wooden barrack, called the "Fish House," was opened and used for three years. This old "Fish House" had been used as a fish hatchery, and was located on the present site of Hoffman's pond. The benches in this building were made of split logs, each bench being occupied by six pupils. The school term lasted six months; three in the summer and three in the winter. This short term had to be resorted to because of the impassability of the roads and also because of the fact that most of the parents required their children to work at home the greater part of the school year. Despite this fact, their attendance records were average and seventy pupils were continuously enrolled throughout the school term.

The teachers were men and had, at the best, only a common school education. The late George Jackson of Warren, will be remembered as one of the best teachers who taught during that period. The salary of these teachers varied from twenty to twenty-five dollars per month, from which was deducted eight dollars per month for room and board.

One of the most annoying inconveniences that the teachers had to endure was the large assortment of books brought to school by the pupils. The parents, at that time, purchased the text books, and this resulted in a collection of books on every subject except the one to be studied by the class as a whole. This practice did not continue long as the school board finally decided that all books and school supplies should be purchased from the public school fund.

In 1889, it became necessary to add a new wing to the west side of the original building. A second story was built in 1897, so that Ludlow now had a four-room school building, in which all eight grades were taught. It was thought that this school would meet the needs of the community, but such was not the case. In 1914, the present building was erected. As the attendance continued to increase, it became evident that another building would be needed for the four lower grades. This unit was built in 1926, in the west end of town.

With the advent of the High School, athletics found a place in the school cirriculum. At first, volley ball was played on the grounds in the rear of the building. Later, basketball and football were introduced. However, basketball is the only sport to survive. Our teams have been small, and ahve not always been winning ones, but they have always displayed good sportmanship when pitted against larger and stronger schools.

In the early twenties, Lyceum Courses were sponsored by the school. Who is there who cannot remember the Honorable William Jennings Bryan when he delivered his famous lecture on the afternoon of May 30, 1921 on "Where Are The Nine?" It was one of those hot days and the auditorium was crowded! Mr. Bryan came out on the platform attired in a black alpaca coat, which dipped to his knees. Through half closed eyes, he surveyed the audience for a few moments, and then said, "I have been told there is but one Democrat in this town...I wish to greet him now!" He held the audience spellbound by his oratory.

We might mention a lecture by Will Irwin, on Armistice Day, 1922, and another by the noted Artic explorer, Vilhjalmer Stefansson on February 24, 1923. The tall man, who stood before us, had astounded the world in 1913 when he announced that on his third polar expedition he would penetrate far into the northlands and live like the Eskimos! With the aid of slides, he showed the animals and flora of the north, completely upsetting all our preconceived ideas of the land of the midnight sun.

While these lectures were the outstanding numbers of the Lyceum course that was offered, there were other interesting programs, among which we might mention the Swedish Bell Ringers, Glass Blowers, and instrumental and vocal music of high quality.

We shall not attempt to mention all of the teachers who have worked among us, but we would like to voice our sincere appreciation for the inspiration they have given us.

Many of the students who have attended the Ludlow Public Schools have completed their education in institutions of higher learning. They have entered almost every profession. They have all made good.

Ludlow is proud of her sons and daughters!

The words to the Alma mater

LUDLOW HIGH
Ludlow High to thee we all are loyal
And may thy colors ever wave
Over all the bravest and the truest
Thy dear name from dishonor we would save.
Oh! Ludlow High
Dear Ludlow High
Thy name shall ever loved and honored be
Oh! Ludlow High
Dear Ludlow High
We'll always give honor to thee.