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Two and one half months later, bids were opened for the
general contract on building. There were five bids, $69,200, $65,900,
$59,400, $54,900 and one for cost plus 10%. After due consideration, the
contract was awarded to Tomlinson and Egan on the cost plus 10% basis.
It appears that Board bought various materials for the building
themselves, although a record appears whereby Tomlinson and Egan were
directed to buy the structural steel from the lowest bidder who could
assure prompt delivery. bids for mill work, cut stone, bricks, etc.,
were negotiated for directly by the Board.
In the minutes of Sept 1, 1917, first comment regarding
the teacherage appears. The director was instructed to confer with Mr.
Beers, manager of E.I. Dupont as to building a teacherage with the
understanding that the school district take it over after completion.
This was done and has been in use since its
construction. Though it is hear-say, the Ondossagon Teacherage had the
distinction of being the first one built in the state. The dwelling for
the janitor was built although it was voted on June 8 and rejected July
1, 1918. |
Building was begun in the late summer of 1917 and was
not ready for occupancy until the school year of 1918-19. Instruction
began with the school year of 1917-18 and school was held in the
Barksdale Town Hall across from the school.
The first freshman class
consisted of eight grade graduates from Nash, Cherryville, Enterprise
and Tokay Schools - all from the Barksdale Grade District No. 1 and the
graduate students from that portion of the Town of Eileen, which was
included in the new high school district.
A horse-drawn bus driven by
Mrs. Jack Gordon brought the Eileen students, the others walked or
furnished their own transportation.
The first graduating class was in
1919 when three graduated: Hester Peterson, Myrtle Raarup and Lea
Schutt.
Thank you to Mark Osmak for
sharing the above photo and
information. |
