History of
Upton Elementary
Professor J.A. Howard
Education
has always been central to the Upton community. In the early 1900's, the Upton
Institute or Normal School became a well-known teachers college, a training
school for the higher education of teachers. Local residents offered room and
board to the students. Professor J. A. Howard served as principal and Mrs.
Stella Keith was assistant principal. Click
here
to view the 1906-1907 Upton Institute brochure and find out what classes were
offered and how much they cost.
For
the local youth, an Upton Independent School for grades 1-10 was established
and supported by the Upton community. In 1899, it was recorded that the Upton
School, under principal, D. E. McClure, enrolled 95 students. In 1918, the
school became a 1-12 grade school under the leadership of Mr. J. M. F. Hays. It
graduated its first students that year (Jesse Rider and Ada Bowling). To
accommodate the growing enrollment, the building was demolished in the 20's to
build a larger two-story school. (Mr. Roscoe Murray, who has been the only
Hardin Countian to advance to the rank of Major General, and later became State
Adjutant General, served as principal for seven years during the 30's). Other people who have served as principal at
Upton are J. Carson Gary, Damon Day, and Mr. Pickerell, Mr. McMillan, Mr. Felkner
and Mr. Clemons.
A new gymnasium was added to the school
in 1941 but in 1942 this school and new gym tragically burned. That same year a
new school building was built for grades 1-12 and in 1946, the school graduated
its last Senior class. It was then, due to consolidation, the Upton Independent
School became a part of the Hardin County School District and the facility
became an elementary school housing first through eighth grades. Through
redistricting in 1986, the school took its current kindergarten through fifth
grade status.
Mr. Gary L. Coffey was principal of the
school from 1971-1993. Mrs. Ann Caspar served as half-time principal from 1994-
June 1997. She also served as Western Elementary's principal. Mrs. Liz Tabb, was
principal from 1997 through 2000. Mr.
Roger Truitt was half-time principal during the 2000-2001 school year. Laura Price is the principal in 2001.
The
Upton community spirit and support for its local school was again quite evident
as the town rallied in the fall of 1990 to raise money to build a new
playground for the campus. With matching funds from Modern Woodmen of America
Life Insurance C. and support of the Hardin County School Board, more than
$6,700 was collected and a fine playground facility was installed.
This
information was researched and compiled by:
Edna
Mae Cruse (former Upton Elementary teacher)
Pansy
Jones (former Upton Elementary teacher)
Debbie
Lloyd