History

A brief history of the present Fairmont Senior High School:

The strength of any high school from year to year rests in its students, but the continued success of that institution comes from the long-term commitment of those who support the school's mission....

Since the first class of four graduated in 1877, Fairmont Senior High School has served as the capstone of public secondary education for the thousands of students who were challenged to prepare themselves for productive and responsible citizenship. That capstone has been the foundation for all graduates. The original high school was organized in the old Normal Building (Fairmont State College's forerunner) located at the top of Adams Street. By 1900, the graduating class of ten (nine girls and one boy), brought about a need for additional facilities and faculty. A $500,000 bond issue was passed for the construction of a new high school and several elementary buildings. The 'new' high school opened at 5th Street and Benoni Avenue and remained in operation until 1929, when it became a 'junior' high school. At this location, the Polar Bear athletic teams originated and the student newspaper was established.

The present facility was erected during 1928 and dedicated on May 10, 1929 by the Fairmont Independent School District. The architect was William B. Ittner. The January 25, 1928 "Hi-Life" Newspaper called him "the foremost authority on school house architecture in the United States" and noted his personal attention given during construction of the new building. The cornerstone was laid on March 23, 1928. William B. Ittner designed 31 buildings currently on the National Register of Historic Places... we hope to have FSHS on this register in the near future!

Here are highlights of the dedication of the new facility, constructed to replace the high school building located on nearby 5th Street. The cost of the high school constructed in Loop Park was $491,313.69. This was part of an aggressive building program initiated in 1923 when the Loop Park property was purchased for a price of $60,000.. The bonds for construction were voted on April 19, 1927 and sold on July 1, 1927. By July 20th of that year, preliminary plans were approved. Bids were opened on December 20, 1927. On January 26, 1928, contracts were awarded to D. J. Phipps, general contractor, and excavation began on the 11.5 acre site on January 26. At the same time, Dunbar High School, the high school for black students, was built along with new additions to Barnes and Miller Schools. Local firms supplying materials included Hammond Fire Brick Company, Fairmont Wall Plaster, J. M. Hartley & Son (teachers' desks, library tables...), Ross Furniture (window shades, straight back chairs...), H.P. Neptune Company (the Bentwood Opera chairs for the auditorium), and many more. It took 14 months to complete the new FSHS. About $20,000 in additional expense included the stone retaining walls, the rear driveway, sidewalks, entrance gate, and street car right-of-way.

The special features of the school included the auditorium and little theatre, a gymnasium that could be divided for multiple classes, an open light court, a home economics department, a reception room, offices, and a commercial department with plate glass partitions enabling one teacher to supervise three rooms (the bookkeeping room has a built-in bank for teaching purposes)!

The library included conference rooms, and a shop for boys included facilities for mechanical drawing, printing, auto repair and building trades. Five lathes, a tool grinder and other equipment were located here.

The school contained 33 classroom units and was readied for occupancy in September, 1929. The new facility saw curriculum enhancements primarily in vocational education and fine arts. The facility had an expansion plan on the east end for a girls' vocational program to mirror the boys' programs.

W. E. Buckey was the principal; Sadie Crowl was the secretary. The 29 teachers included:

Gladys Barry (Latin), Jean Billingslea (English), Carrie Boggs (English), Virginia Browning (Home Economics), Mary Louise Conn (Physical Education), Edna Copeland (English), Bessie Crystal (History), Paul B. Dawson (Physical Education and Athletics), Calvin Fencil (Science), A.F. Fondaw (Commercial), Ruth E. Fortney (Salesmanship & English), E. H. Fund (Shop), Thelma R. Gibbs (French and Spanish), Jennie Harshbarger (Biology), Ensel Hawkins (Mechanical Drawing), C.S. Hicks (General Science & Athletics), Beatrice Hunter (Typing), Ivy Hustead (Mathematics), Ethel Hoult (English), B.D. Kahn (Mathematics), Virginia Kerr (Librarian), Cora Kincade (Mathematics), Josephine Lehman (Assistant Librarian), Myrtle Mae Miller (General Science), Grace Musgrave (Civics), Mildred Pickerill (Shorthand), L. Amy Riggle (English & Drama), Louise Rock (History) and Viola Wolfe (English).

The superintendent of schools was Edward Everett Hale.

Events held at the new building:

May 10, 1929: Official dedication at 7:30 p.m. was also broadcast live on WMMN. R.C. Jones, president of the Board of Education, presided. The Girls' Glee Club and the FSH Band entertained. A dedicatory address was made by Dr. John R. Turner, president of West Virginia University. Joseph Rosier of Fairmont Normal College and A.G. Martin, mayor of Fairmont, provided official welcomes.

May 12, 1929: "Open House" from 7-9 p.m. with an open air band concert. Teachers provided general tours.

May 14, 1929: "Neighbor's Night" invited other county schools and board of education in adjacent counties to see the new facility from 7-9 p.m.

THE PAST IS PROLOGUE...A TIMELINE OF FAIRMONT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

1864 The first public, free school in Fairmont opens.

1866 The board of education purchases the brick building at the corner of Adams and Madison Streets for a school.

1867 The legislature locates one of the State Normal schools in Fairmont. ("Through The Years" Maple Leaves 1935).

1872 The first high school, located in the Second Ward School Building on the corner of Adams and Quincy Streets, occupied jointly by the normal and public school, houses the graded schools on the first floor and the normal on the second and third.

1875 Normal department separates from the public schools.

1876 Professor Thomas C. Miller, for whom Miller Junior High is named, becomes the first principal of the graded public school system in Fairmont.

1877 The first class graduates from Fairmont High School in the Second Ward Building.

1880 Authorities establish graduating system. There were 227 graduates of record between 1881-1907.

1893 The Normal School moves to its new location on Fairmont Avenue leaving the Second Ward Building entirely to the high school.

1900 The graduating class, composed of nine girls and one boy, heralds an increased enrollment making it necessary to employ an additional teacher bringing total to four. A new high school facility was envisioned.

1905 Fairmont High School built at Fifth Street and Benoni Avenue, known as "The Point."

1906 Fairmont High School students occupy the new building consisting of 12 classrooms, labs, offices and a library with the top floor used as a gymnasium.

1908 The Junior Class initiates the custom of having a school annual. With their class tree the maple, members call the yearbook Maple Leaves. 218 attend with a faculty of eight.

1920 Students first publish Hi-Life, the student newspaper.

1922 Gym built at 5^th Street.

1922 Mr. Ensel Hawkins, faculty, decided to work out a seal for Fairmont High School.

1923 Hawkins had seals made in blue and white and used them as merit stamps for work in his department. Principal Buckey decided it would be a good idea to adopt for the whole school, using it as a reward for exceptionally excellent written work. The seal in itself with its 'torch' in the center of 'F.H.S.' might well mean the light or the intellect of the school and, too, that F.H.S. is a light and service to our community."

1926 Polar Bear adopted as mascot. Originally sports teams were called "Ice’s Men" so the new mascot honored Coach Frank Ice.

1928 Board erects building on Loop Park.

1929 Board dedicates Fairmont Senior High School on May 10, 1929. The class of 1929, the first to have its graduation exercises in the current building, presents the school with the statue of Abraham Lincoln. National Thespian Society originates in Fairmont WV by Dr. Paul Opp and Mr. Harry Leeper. Two of the three original chapters were East Fairmont High School Troupe #3 and Fairmont Senior High School designated as Troup #2.

1938 School districts unify as one in Marion County; bussing system implemented county wide.

1946 William Leskovar named Amateur Athlete of the Year.

1955 Dunbar High School closes as Marion County desegrates public schools.

1962 Dave Tork sets world record in pole vault at 16 feet, 2 inches

1963 Freshman Building accommodates the addition of the ninth grade as the 5^th Street Junior High (former high school) is permanently closed. 7^th and 8^th graders attend junior high in the Dunbar School.

1964 "Scratches," the school literary magazine, debuts at FSHS.

1968 Original 3 act musical written and produced for Thespian Troupe 2 by two students.

1969 The Polar Bear Building built as "temporary" classrooms.

1970 Graduating class donates polar bear statues.

1971 Monument on front lawn presented by class of 1971.

1976 FSHS celebrates it bicentennial.

1979 February 27, 1979--Fire destroys roof and damages library and top floor. Graduation moved to Woody Williams Armory.

1981 New front steps enhance entrance to main building.

1985 School of Excellence honors FSHS.

1985 Rivesville High consolidates with FSHS. John D. Tennant, principal, adds a touch of red to school colors.

1987 FSHS launches "Project Graduation" for class; model adopted for county wide implementation the following year through present time!

1989 Beautification ReLeaf campaign plants more then 50 famous and historic trees.

1990 School of Excellence and Exemplary School received from the WV Education Alliance.

1991 Channel 1 televisions installed in every classroom.

1992 FSHS Foundation, Inc. establishes board of directors with a vision to establish funds for student scholarships and teacher grants. Lockers replaced after asbestos abatement, restrooms upgraded, chemistry lab addition to freshman building, room 1. First ever undefeated basketball season.

1994 Construction and dedication of the gymnasium, as well as a parking lot, begins and concludes under the leadership of Superintendent Jane Reynolds with SBA funds under State Superintendent Henry Marockie.

1995 Multicultural classes, speakers, assemblies, courses, representative flags of fifty ethnicities enhance pride of diverse cultures. Curtains, spotlights, and sprinkler improvements to auditorium with SBA funds of $150,000.

1997 SUCCESS technology grant installs three labs of thirty computers for Language Arts. Closed campus.

1998 FSHS wired to Internet just in time for the 21st century.

1999 The 119th Commencement begins a third century for FHS. Approaching the new millennium, the school celebrates 70 years at its Loop Park location. Intercom system replaced.

2000 GEISA award received Gazette Excellence In Sports Award by The Charleston Gazette for WV All Sports Champion.

2001 Governor Bob Wise addressed the student body the morning after his state- of-the-state address to announce launching "Promise Scholarship Program." FSHS launches "1000 Voices" fund drive to restore auditorium.