The Decade of 1910’s at ZHSThe Colony’s first high school was born in 1910! The Zephyrhills Colonist, the local newspaper reports in 1915: “The Colony Company’s first high school was built between 7th and 8th Avenues on the west side."Rosemary Trottman in her book, The History of Zephyrhills, reports the following description of the first building:
The first principal was Judge J.W. Sanders who
later served as the Pasco School Superintendent from 1913 to
1921. Professor Sanders was age 25 when elected Pasco County
Superintendent which means that he was in his very early twenties when
serving as the first principal of ZHS—undoubtedly the youngest to
serve as leader of the school. Graduations were spectacular events for the
day in this first decade, and the graduation speakers were prominent
state leaders. The 1919 ZHS graduation featured Dr. Conradi, the
President of the Florida State Women’s University (now
FSU). The first ZHS graduation of seniors was held in 1913
although an eleventh grade graduation was held in 1912. Don
Storms informed the alumni in 1972 that he was the only ZHS graduate to
have graduated twice, as he participated in both the eleventh grade and
twelfth grade graduations in 1912 and 1913. There were eleven graduates
in 1912. The decade of the 1910s, the origin period of
ZHS, is a time of great change in the USA. For the first time,
the country was considered a world leader. The dominant issue of the
decade was World War I. There was a larger number of girl
students than boys and in 1919; the Junior-Senior Banquet even included
two large flags in the banquet hall in place of the two seniors, Lyle
Gilbert and Dale Leonard, who left school early to fight in
France. At the graduation ceremony in 1919, a letter from Lyle
was read in acknowledgement of his patriotism and service. The themes of change and certainly the impact
of a worldwide war influenced the activities and directions of
ZHS. Opening exercises for the school term were heavily laden
with patriotic and religious overtones, and attended by all community
members with a strong leadership role played by area church ministers.
During this time, family roles were impacted
by the 19th amendment which granted women the right to vote in 1919 in the U. S.
The ZHS high school play of 1919, was in fact, reflective of this
social change, and entitled, “Her Honor the Mayor.”
It was advertised as “a playful satire on women’s suffrage,
chocked full of fun and the joy of life.” In the synopsis
of the play, the female was not portrayed in a very worthy light, which
may have reflected the conservatism of the community and at least some
perceptions of the new amendment. In sports, Principal Walter Roberts served as
the basketball coach and alumni report that the basketball team was
outstanding. This US decade included the first child labor
laws which were enacted in 1915 and economic changes that scanned the
spectrum from monopolies to the impact of immigration on the labor
market. Consider that the Model T cost about $350 and the National Park
Service and Girl Scouts of America were born in this era of prohibition
There was the unthinkable sinking of the “unsinkable ship,”
the Titanic in the news, while Zephyrhills experienced its own tragedy
in the new ZHS building, christened in 1910 being destroyed by a fire
in its second decade in 1926. A newly consolidated school was an important milestone for the Zephyrhills colony. The newspaper accounts and other archives from the decade of the 1910’s….posted in order from most recent to earliest….1919-to the school’s beginning in 1910 illustrate the civic pride in the blossoming school!
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1919School Began Monday, Zephyrhills Colonist, September 4, 1919Large Attendance of Pupils, Patrons, and Visitors at Opening Exercises. The Zephyrhills Schools opened Monday with a record attendance of pupils, patrons, and visitors. The opening exercises were held in the High School Auditorium which was fitted to overflowing—a large number being compelled to stand during the exercises on account of a lack of room and seats. Reverend Waldon conducted the devotional services, reading from Proverbs of the importance of seeking wisdom and necessity of getting understanding. He then gave an inspiring talk along the idea of “Excelsior,” and followed by an eloquent invocation for Divine guidance and favor during the coming term. B.A. Smith and J.L. Geiger of the local school board made some good suggestions and pledged their assistance for a successful term. Mr. Geiger gave an interesting account of the growth of the school in Zephyrhills and of some of the obstacles it had overcome. C.H. Smith, member of the County Board of Education, gave us assurance that the County Board was doing all in its power to promote the success of the school. Professor Dewees spoke on the object and aims of education and the benefits and enjoyment of scholarly achievements, also the advantage and necessity of organization and discipline in school work. He closed by urging every pupil and teacher “to go over the top” in their work this term. Professor Roberts spoke of the merits of the new compulsory attendance law, and of its advantage to the school system if properly enforced. He also emphasized the importance of recreation for pupils and teachers and the benefits of a reasonable indulgence in athletics as an aid to the acquirement of both mental and physical health and strength. He closed by asking that patrons of the school cooperate with the faculty in doing the most possible good for the pupils. The different grades then repaired to their separate rooms and lessons were assigned for the following day. The prospect for a profitable and successful term is unusually favorable and it is to be hoped that everybody will do all in their power to carry out the work so auspiciously begun. Announcement of School, Zephyrhills Colonist, August 28, 1919 Next Monday, the Zephyrhills School will begin with the following teachers: Principal, Walter Roberts; high school--Miss Sylvia Ingalls and Lyda Tulane; 7th and 8th grades--G.B. Dewees; 5th and 6th grades--Miss Vera Martin; 4th grade; Miss Kathleen Helms; 2nd and 3rd grade—Miss Sallie Jim Moore; and Primary—Miss Lily Geiger. Zephyrhills Easy Winner Against Port Tampa and Bushnell, Zephyrhills Colonist, August 14, 1919 With the Score In Favor of Zephyrhills—Zephyrhills boys played two games last week, one with Bushnell Thursday night which wound up with a score of 8 to 0 in five innings game. Bushnell was booked for a game here Monday of this week but having made so complete a failure last Thursday they failed to come, so now they will have to go in the same class of players with Port Tampa. Saturday, Port Tampa came up and took their “medicine like men”, right here we will say for Port Tampa, they were the best natured fellows we most ever saw, to take a dose like they did—12 to 0 all in favor of Zephyrhills, without a kick or a word, goes to show they are either used to being beaten or dead game sports, with their minds made up to take it good or bad, a better game next Thursday which will be played in Port Tampa. Zephyrhills And Base—Ball, Zephyrhills Colonist, Volume 8, Number 44, July 31, 1919 Zephyrhills the first time in its history has a real base ball park. Our boys by the help of the business men have built a comfortable grand stand and through the liberality of the town council they have been allowed to fence off a good park. Zephyrhills people appreciate a good game and Monday of last week we had the pleasure of seeing a real game, when Zephyrhills defeated Bushnell in a very close game 3 to 2. Tichnor’s fine pitching was the feature of the game. Our boys did not score until the sixth inning when Frank Stebbins made a safe hit to first which scored the runner on third. This inning our boys made runs which tied the game until the eighth inning when our boys made a run which was the winning run, as Bushnell failed to cross home again. Saturday our boys played a double header, the first game was with Richland, which was a one sided game our boys winning with a score of 11 to 3. The second game was with Seffner and again our boys were victorious shutting out the visiting team 4 to 0. There was considerable criticism of the way our home boys were treated by the manager. We had some players who are just as good if not better than players brought from Dade City or Powell’s still and yet our boys are left to sit on the bleachers. Several men were heard to say they had given their last cent to help the team, if it was not going to be a Zephyrhills team. The manager certainly gave our home boys a raw deal and it continues to mean the death of our base ball here. People want a fair play, and our boys should be given the preference. Commencement Exercises, Zephyrhills Colonist, Volume 8, Number 35, June 26, 1919 The people of Zephyrhills were treated to another treat last Wednesday evening when Dr. Conradi of Tallahassee addressed them at the Commencement exercises of the graduation class of 1919. Dr. Conradi took up the question of education from three standpoints, i.e. physical, mental and spiritual, and he showed how important it was that our children should have good play grounds and good modern school houses, well ventilated and well lighted. He spoke of how the children had to spend six hours each day, five days in the week and that the building should be as well equipped and as comfortable as the home or even more so. It is to be regretted that more of the patrons of this school could not have heard them. Some people object to school improvements and think children can get along on most any kind of a building and grounds, just so they are housed. They say taxes will be so high and yet some of these very ones will pay more for their tobacco than their taxes would be. Are children and their future destiny of no more value than tobacco? Others will pay more than the extra tax for moving picture shows; others will pay several times over what the tax would be for gasoline to take pleasure rides in their auto, and yet the children must suffer. Many are against improvements because they have no children to go or because our present building is as good as or better than they had when they went to school. All such arguments are weak indeed. Let us get together and give our children the very best opportunities and thus insure a healthy and well balanced future generation. Come to Zephyrhills July Fourth Old Fashion Basket Picnic, Come and Bring a Full Basket, Zephyrhills Colonist, Volume 8, Number 35, June 26, 1919. Newspaper priced at $1.00 per year To the people of Pasco County be it known Zephyrhills is going to give you one of the old fashioned celebrations on July 4th, 1919 at Zephyr Park. Big Day, Zephyrhills is going over the top as many of our soldier boys have returned to our country, we wish to give them a hearty welcome and show to the world we feel proud of our young men. So soldier boys come to Zephyrhills on the fourth dressed in your uniform and make our heart glad. There will be a smashing time from beginning to finish, Songs, speeches, races, swimming contest and a champion ball game. In fact the ball will be kept rolling from 10 a.m. to 12 at night. A Cracker fish fry at noon. Come and bring a well filled basket and have a picnic with your neighbors and friends. Soft drinks on the grounds. Come and bring your family and we will endeavor to make a glad spot in their lives. Program--Exercises commence at Park at 10 a.m. on time 10:00 Song America by audience, led by orchestra 10:20 Address of welcome by Mayor J.C. Whitehall 10:40 Song and Recitation by Miss Craig; Orchestra 11:00 Address of welcome to our soldier boys of Worlds War Noon Fish Fry 1:30 An Address Our Fourth of July 2:00 Boys race 100 yards, first prize, 60 cents pair hose at Penry’s second box of candy at Boyers. 3:00 Swimming Contest, first prize $1.25, second prize 75 cents. Free for all 4:00 Ball game between Dade City and Zephyrhills Come one, come all and enjoy the day. Judges on races, Boyer, Penry, and Sage. Committee on music: N.L. Wright, Reverend Jenkens, and Miss Craig Committee: Sage, Penry and Boyer. Zephyrhills vs. Sand-Pond, Zephyrhills Colonist, June 19, 1919 The ball game Thursday, Zephyrhills vs. Sand-Pond was the best game played here this season being a close game from beginning with a finish of 9 to 5 in favor of Zephyrhills. The next game will be played at Sand-Pond, this afternoon—the report is that Zephyrhills will loose the pitcher which they were so fortunate in having last Thursday, Julian Ticknor, which will make a difference in the next game we expect. Commencement Exercise, Zephyrhills Colonist, May 29, 1919 The people of Zephyrhills were treated to another treat last Wednesday evening when Dr. Conradi of Tallahassee addressed them at the Commencement Exercises of the graduation class of 1919. Dr. Conradi took up the question of education from three standpoints, i.e. physical, mental and spiritual, and he showed how important it was that our children should have good play grounds and good modern school houses, well ventilated and well lighted. He spoke of how the children had to spend six hours each day, five days in the week and that the building should be as well equipped and as comfortable as the home and even more so. It is to be regretted that more of the patrons of this school could not have heard them. Some people object to school improvements and think children can get along on most any kind of a building and grounds, just so they are house. They say taxes will be so high and yet some of these very ones will pay more for their tobacco than their taxes would be. Our children and their future destiny are of no more value than tobacco? Others will pay more than the extra tax for moving picture shows; others will pay several times over what the tax would be for gasoline to take pleasure rides in their auto and yet the children must suffer. Many are against improvements because they have no children to go or because our present building is as good as or better than they had when they went to school. All such arguments are weak indeed. Let us get together and give our children the very best opportunities and thus insure a healthy and well balanced future generation. Commencement Exercises, Zephyrhills Colonist, May 15, 1919 The Commencement exercises of the Zephyrhills High School will be Wednesday evening, May 21st at 9 o’clock in the G.A.R. Hall. The Senior Class this year has four members and is glad to announce that they have Dr. Comradi, President of Florida State Women’s College at Tallahassee to give the address of the evening. Baccalaureate Sermon, Zephyrhills Colonist Dr. Montague ex-president of Baptist College of Lake City, Florida will preach the Baccalaureate sermon, Sunday morning, May 18th at G.A.R. Hall, 12 o’clock. All Churches are requested to take part in this service. Card of Thanks, Zephyrhills Colonist, May 15, 1919 We wish to thank the following who so willingly helped to make the Junior-Senior Banquet a success: The Hotel Co. for the use of the hotel dining room, kitchen and office. Mesdames Storms, Stebbins, and Briggs for taking charge and helping prepare it. The Misses Storms, Helms and Briggs for waiting. Mrs. Penry, Boyer and DeRyder for use of plants and decorations. Mr. Dewey, Hudson, for use of musical instruments. The Junior Class Junior Senior Banquet, Zephyrhills Colonist, May 15, 1919 The Junior-Senior Banquet was held last Saturday evening at the Hotel Zephyr. The dining room was attractively decorated in the Senior and Junior class colors, red and blue and gold and blue. Two large American Flags stood in the place of Lyle Gilbert and Dale Leonard, old members of the Senior Class who are now in France. An interesting letter to Miss Ingalls from Lyle Gilbert was read in which he wished the class of 1919 the best of success and happiness. A three course dinner was served in an inviting style. The evening was spent in passing jokes and conundrums. The music was furnished by the Hawaiian Orchestra and other well-known musicians and singers. The Seniors voted it the most pleasant evening in their High School Career. Note that two of the graduating seniors were in Europe fighting…here is the letter published in the Zephyrhills Colonist from senior, Lyle Gilbert. Letter from Lyle Gilbert, Zephyrhills Colonist, February 20, 1919 Benevore, France, December 19, 1918 Dear Friend: I have received a letter and a holiday greeting from you but have not had time to answer until now. Therefore I am going to try to answer. I expect you will have a very hard time reading this as I have a poor place for writing. I received your letter the day I returned from the hospital, but we hiked for 13 days after that and I had no chance to write anyone. When we arrived here though I got a chance to get paper and write. We are now in a small French village called Beneuvre and are getting a rest. We hiked 38 days before we stopped here. The division was the first Allied troops to arrive in Spencourt which is north of Verdun. I guess we were intended for part of the Army of Occupation but we were relieved there and hiked back to this town. I hope we soon start for the States again. That will surely be a happy time for everyone concerned. We all live in hopes of a speedy return. We all say if a man lives in hopes he won’t die in despair and we live accordingly. I believe that is a good idea too, don’t you? You hardly ever see one of us grouchy. It does not pay. If one man does get grouchy the rest of us guy him until he gets alright. I received a letter today from Mother and she said she thought I would like France better if I had a chance to see more of it. I have seen all I want. I have hiked all over this country and although I have seen some pretty places, I don’t like it at all. I want to be where people speak real English—where I can talk to them and have a good time generally. It is hard to be able to talk to no one except those you are with all the time. It gets monotonous. But as I said before, “Live in hope and one will not die in despair, “that is a cinch. Well, I expect you are getting sick of this, so will close. --Your friend, Private Lyle Gilbert Baccalaureate Sermon, Zephyrhills Colonist, May 8, 1919 Dr. Montague, ex-president of the Baptist College of Lake City, Florida, will preach the Baccalaureate sermon Sunday morning, May 18th at G.A.R. Hall, 12:00 o’clock. All Churches are requested to take part in the services. The Commencement exercises of the Zephyrhills High School will be Wednesday evening May twenty-first at 9 o’clock in the G.A. R. Hall. The Senior Class this year has four members and is glad to announce that they have Dr. Comradi, president of the Florida State Women’s College at Tallahassee to give the address of the evening. Senior Class Play, Zephyrhills Colonist, March 27, 1919 The G.A. R. Hall was filled and standing room at a premium Saturday night to hear the Senior Class play, “Her Honor the Mayor.” The play was a take off on the Suffragettes and each one acted his part well. The play was one great big laugh from beginning to end, and when “Her Honor the Mayor” appointed her servant as Chief-of-Police, the house simply roared. Then again when “Her Honor the Mayor” was bribed, no, not bribed but took a gift of five pounds of Myers chocolates a day for ten years, to use her influence to get the Council to pass an ordinance to furnish the school children with chocolates, all were convinced that women were easier bought than men. All this was a dream of Eve Green (Hazel Wright) and then she awoke and found her lover had been selected mayor in her stead. Special mention must be made of the way Kenneth Storms took the part of the servant, Eliza. He brought the house down several times with his expressions and she (he) as Chief of Police was bribed, when Mike McGoon was arrested. All took their parts well and the teachers should feel proud of their pupils and Miss Toulane is to be congratulated upon her success in making the play such a success. School Notes, The Zephyrhills Colonist, March 6, 1919 The Senior Class, aided by the Juniors, will give their annual class play on the 21st of this month. The play chosen is an unusual and unique comedy by Mary Modena Burns, called, “Her Honor the Mayor.” It is a pleasing and playful satire on suffrage, chockfull of fun and the joy of life. The actors are practicing hard and the play is sure to be a success. It is superintended by Miss Tulane, the English Teacher at the High School Cast of Characters: Lester Parmenter, Candidate for Mayor—Gerald Brigg Honorable Mike McGoon, Political Boss—William Stebbins Clarence Greenway, Eva’s Brother—Frank Stebbins Eve Greenway, Lester’s Fiancé—Hazel Wright Mrs. McNabb, Widow and Suffragette—Wilifred Wright Doris Denton, An Athletic—Mae Wallace Rosalie Myers, Her Chum—Ruth Burnett Eliza Goober, the Servant—Kenneth Storms
Contributed by Jeff Miller of fivay project: Pasco County School Board Minutes from December 1-3-4, 1919 “Matter of complaint in regard to Principal of Zephyrhills School was discussed and Board decided to investigate complaints and visited the school on December 3, 1919, and decided to continue the services of Principal Walter (Walter Roberts).
Alumni coverage of 1919 Alumni and Friends Reunion Was Gala Zephyrhills Event, The Zephyrhills News, July 1, 1982 Another Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion is now history….. Special persons introduced included James Kenyon of Clearwater from the class of 1916; Mrs. Rosemary Wallace Trottman, Class of 1919, a former faculty member for many years and author of the History of Zephyrhills, 1821 to 1921. Mrs. Trottman currently is working on a second volume, covering the years from 1921 to the present; J.H. Mott, 93, father of eight ZHS graduates, three of who were present, Mrs. Laray Mott Jordon, Mrs. Altha Baldwin and Mrs. Grace Mott Emery and Harold Emery of Lake Wales, the former school board member and longtime Seaboard Railroad agent in Zephyrhills; Miss Matilda Clement, 94, who traveled from Minnesota to attend the reunion and who taught English at Zephyrhills High many years after retiring from teaching posts in her native New England. Zephyrhills News, July 30, 1977 Another enjoyable and successful Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion was held at the Zephyr Park Community Center. ..... Mrs. Rosemary Wallace Trottman was recognized as the earliest graduate present. She was with the Class of 1919. Simon Geiger of Knights, 85, who helped haul the lumber to build the Zephyrhills school in the early 1900s, was a student at ZHS in 1911 completing the 11th grade. He has been retired for some years from long service with the Seaboard Railroad. 10th Annual Alumni and Friends Biggest and Best Ever, Zephyrhills News, June 26, 1979 by Jaynell LeHeup Hopes for the biggest and best became a reality Sunday for the 10th annual Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion. Introduced were Mrs. Anna Greene Farmer, the only one present from the Silver Anniversary Class of 1954; Don Storms Sr. Class of 1914, Plant City; Mr. James Kenyon, Class of 1916, Clearwater, and Mrs. Rosemary Wallace Trottman, Class of 1919 and author of “The History of Zephyrhills;” Ken Storms, also of the Class of 1919; J.H. Mott, former school board member.
Below is photo of Professor Walter Roberts (School Principal)’s Class:
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1917Dr. Ward To Preach Baccalaureate Sermon at Zephyrhills, The Rollins Sandspur, Volume 19, No. 23, March 17, 1917Will Speak Before High School. The invitation extended by Professor M.J. Okerlund, B.S., Principal of Zephyrhills High School, to preach the baccalaureate sermon at the high school on April 29, has been accepted by Dr. George Morgan Ward. Before going to Zephyrhills, Professor M.J. Okerlund was a member of the Tampa High School Faculty, and it is interesting to note, in this connection, that one of the Rollins seniors, A.J. Hanna, took his first year English course under Professor Okerlund during that time. Note that in researching Professor M.J. Okerlund, I also discovered that after leaving ZHS, he was a principal at Winter Park and according to Claire MacDowell's, A Chronological History of Winter Park, published in 1950, in 1917 Professor J.M. Okerlund was Principal of the new school which opened in Jan. 1917 with eleven grades, eight teachers, 150 boys and girls.
Minutes of the July 1916 School Board Meeting At the School Board meeting of July 3-5, 1916, appointments to the Zephyrhills Schools were Professor M.J. Okerlund; high school—Miss Schenck and Mrs. Jessie N. Priest; Eighth grade—Professor V.C. Mathews; other teachers—Miss Flora Ingalls, Miss Lillie Geiger, Miss Urarda Briggs, Miss Marie Stewart and Miss Muriel Storms. January 2, 1917—School Board Minutes indicate that M.J. Oberlund was ZHS Principal and paid as a salary, a total of $35 per month.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1916
Recalling Past Times…, Zephyrhills News, July 1, 1976 by Jaynell LeHeup A very enjoyable and successful Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion was held Sunday, June 27, 1976…. James Kenyon, Class of 1916, Tampa, shared a 1916 issue of “The Zephyr,” Zephyrhills School Newspaper of the era and memories of the championship ZHS basketball team of 1916. Alumni of the 1940’s and 1950’s remarked that they too remembered the outdoor basketball courts at ZHS, but not always championship teams! School Notes, The Zephyrhills Colonist, November 21, 1918 School opened Monday, November 11 but on account of the peace celebration closed at noon. Wednesday afternoon the Dade City basket ball team played our team here in a hard fought game. The score by quarters was: First quarter, Dade City-0 and ZHS-0; second quarter, Dade City—6 and ZHS—6; third quarter, Dade City—2 and ZHS—2; and fourth quarter, Dade City—4 and ZHS—0. The final score was 12 to 8 in favor of Dade City. Friday our boys went to Dade City and were defeated. The score being 22 to 12. The bimonthly exams start Tuesday morning. Last Thursday afternoon, Dr. Weaver, Mr. Zeigler and Mrs. Lock visited our school in the interest of the U.W.W. campaign. School Notes, The Zephyrhills Colonist, December 12, 1918 Program of the Athenian Literary Society for December 20, 1918 Vocal Duet—Mildred Ticknor and Hazel Wright Reading—Ethel Wallace Piano Solo—Miss Tulane, teacher Debate—Kenneth Storms and Edwin Stebbins verses Willie Stebbins and Gerald Briggs School Notes—Helen Parker, Grace Cripe, and Dorothy Ticknor Paper—Frank Stebbins Impromptu Talks—Charles Campbell, Mr. Roberts Chart by Freshmen Song—“Keep the Home Fires Burning” by the audience. Zephyrhills Wins, Zephyrhills Colonist, December 19, 1918 Last Saturday our boys went to Inverness and won the game of basket ball 29 to 14. Our boys showed better team work and that they had more practice than the Inverness boys. The Inverness boys had lost several of their best players, but the game was well played. While the boys were waiting for the game, at the invitation of Professor Bryant, they went to see the Girls Canning Club exhibit which was unusually good. The Citrus County Girls surely deserve credit for their fine work. The boys wish to thank those who contributed toward the expenses of the team and are especially grateful to Mr. Penry for his help not only at the present time but also for past help. ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978 A large, enthusiastic crowd of home-towners, out-of-towners, and guests picnicked at the 9th annual reunion of the ZHS Alumni and Friends….gathering before noon at the Zephyr Park…James Kenyon of Clearwater, Class of 1916, remembered that he was captain of the undefeated boy’s basketball team and they he was also the only boy in his class of five. He further commented that Zephyrhills has always been known for its very pretty girls. ZHS Alumni Set 6th Reunion…Last Graduates left in 1926, Zephyrhills News, May 29, 1975 A covered dish dinner at the new community center in Zephyr Park is planned June 29 when ZHS Alumni Association holds its annual reunion…..Other early graduates who attended last year’s reunion were Nannie Knight Wagner and James Kenyon, Class of 1916. 10th Annual Alumni and Friends Biggest and Best Ever, Zephyrhills News, June 26, 1979 by Jaynell LeHeup Hopes for the biggest and best became a reality Sunday for the 10th annual Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion. Mr. Kenyon, Class of 1916, remembered that in his class of 1916 he was the only boy with four pretty girl classmates. Also that he was the captain of the boys basketball team which was undefeated his senior year. Recently married, he was accompanied by his new wife. Happy Memories Abound As ZHS Alumni Enjoy Reunion, The Zephyrhills News, July 2, 1981 by Jaynell LeHeup The two oldest graduates of Zephyrhills High School attending the Reunion Sunday were Don Storms, a member of the first class ever to graduate from ZHS, 1914 and James Kenyon, Class of 1916. There were ten in Storms class and four (the other three were girls) in Kenyon’s class.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1915A Founder’s Day edition of the Zephyrhills News in 1966 features the following photo from 1915 with a caption that reads, “First High School—The Colony Company’s first high school was built between 7th and 8th Avenues on the west side of what is now Hwy. 301. The construction date is not certain. The building burned in 1926, and a new school was built at the present location (as of 1966) centered at 10th Avenue and 10th Street. This postcard view was made in 1915.”
On May 3, 1915, these teachers were appointed for Zephyrhills: Prof. William Cleveland Finney (Principal), Ruth Sumner, Miss Birdena Schenck, Prof. Vassar C. Mathews, Lillian Carter, Lillie Geiger, Miss Wanda Briggs, Miss Nina Percival, Muriel Storms. A 1915-16 directory shows 209 students attending the Zephyrhills school, with 33 pupils above the eighth grade. The teachers were W. C. Finney, Miss Ruth Sumner, Miss Berdina Schenk, V. C. Mathews, Miss Frances Laughinhouse, Miss Lillie Geiger, Miss Uarda Briggs, Miss Marie Stewart, and Miss Muriel Storms.
The registers from the Pasco County School Board of 1915 show the following students enrolled with their ages: Gerald Briggs, age 12; Mary Briney, age 12; Ruth Burnet, age 14; Amos Chancey, age 18; Rhonda Davis, age 15; Inis DeRyder, age 15; Rachel DeRyder, age 12; Curtis Geiger, age 13; Catherine Griffith, age 17; Raymond Hood, age 14; Moray Kinsey, age 15; Elias Mayo, age 19; Lorene Pelham, age 11; Ray Pelham, age 13; Willie Stebbins, age 12; Ruth Storms, age 11; Wallace Turner, age 17; Herman Vogt, age 19; Lula Wallace, age 16; Mae Wallace, age 14; and Billy Wofford, age 13. Parents were asked also to provide their names. These records were scanned by Jeff Miller of the fivay project from Pasco County School Board archives.
 Notice that the registers which were used until the computer era, were handwritten and included the student’s name, age, date of entry, and parent’s name and then had a space for attendance. When the author began teaching in 1974, similar registers were still used and were vitally important in maintaining records that were used for school funding formulas.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1914An article about Zephyrhills in the Dade City Banner of Dec. 4, 1914School opened Monday morning with eight teachers and 185 pupils. All the children were not out the first day; will probably run to two hundred and fifty, as many of our settlers have not yet returned from their visit to the north. This school opened with eleven pupils the fall of 1909, did not keep the average up to 10, so the school was disbanded. The fall of 1910 school opened with 61; this was the first year of the colony. The fall of 1911 opened with 79. The fall of 1912 opened with 103. The fall of 1913 opened with 171. The fall of 1914 opened with 185. This is a very good showing for a town only four years old. There were 206 pupils enrolled last year and this year will go way beyond that number as quite a number of families have been added to our colony since last spring.
Alumni Reunion Draws 70 ZHS Grads for Talk on Old Days, Zephyrhills News, June 28, 1973
Simon Geiger, Member of Oldest Family, Recalls Town as It Was, by Jaynell LeHeup, Zephyrhills News, March 12, 1964 ...Simon J. Geiger of nearby Knights Station, a retired depot agent, was born and reared here. He was a young man of 18 when the crossroads village of Abbott became Zephyrhills, a colony paradise for Civil War Veterans and their families. Simon Geiger started to school in Abbott in 1899 in a one-room school. The teacher was “Professor” Sealey. At a wood rack south of the railroad depot, Simon would meet his father, who brought in loads of wood to see to the wood-burning trains. If Simon missed the ride home in his father’s wagon, he had a 2-mile walk home through the woods ahead of him. In 1911 Simon helped haul many loads of lumber drawn by oxen for the buildings going up in Zephyrhills. In 1910 he helped unload the first two railroad cars of lumber at Hennington’s general store. Also in 1910 Simon helped haul lumber for the first Zephyrhills High School where he completed his schooling in 1911. J.W. Sanders was principal and he later was county judge. The best baseball game he ever saw in his life was at Lake Zephyr on the 4th of July, 1915, when Zephyrhills beat Dade City, 1-0, in the 11th inning. Before World War I, Zephyrhills held big community celebrations on Washington's Birthday and on Independence Day each year. On these two days the cattlemen of the area would donate beef for a big barbecue and there would be horse races and a baseball game.
Oldest teacher at the 1974 class reunion, July 4, 1974 was Miss Uarda
Briggs who taught in 1914. Beside her is her brother, Wynfred
Briggs of the Class of 1913, Zephyrhills News, June 28, 1973.Recalling Past Times…, Zephyrhills News, July 1, 1976 by Jaynell LeHeup A very enjoyable and successful Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion was held Sunday, June 27, 1976…. Don Storms was recognized for being the earliest ZHS graduate present. He also had the distinction of receiving two graduation diplomas from ZHS, the 11th grade graduation in 1913 and then when it became a 12th grade graduation institution school in 1914. Mr. Storms also brought his very interesting photo albums with pictures from Zephyrhills earliest days right on to pictures from last year’s reunion, which he graciously shared with others.
ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978
The registers from 1914 which include the student’s names (as posted below) were: Frankie Bement, age 8; Jessie Culpepper, age 8; Beryl DeRyder, age 9; Francis Furgeson, age 8; William Gardner, age 8; Nellora Garner, Zelma Garner, age 6; age 6; Victor Geiger, age 6, Zella Geiger, age 6; Dorothy Gilbert, age 6; Johnnie Gumoe, age 7; Teddy Holm, age 6; Earnest Koontze (no age listed); Lena Lisenby, age 8; Ottis Maxwell, age 7; Charlie Mazaros, age 7, Luis Mazaros, age 7; Edmund Penrod, age 6; Nathan Siban, age 6; Bessie Stafford, age 12;Irvin Stafford, age 8; Edgar Taylor, age 8; and; Rodney Wells, age 7; Johnnie Williams, age 8; Parents were asked also to provide their names. These records were scanned by Jeff Miller of the fivay project from Pasco County School Board archives.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 19131913 marked the first grade 12 graduation at Zephyrhills High School. The town was growing. A booklet was published about the town for the purpose of recruiting people to live in the community. It featured information about the school. The booklet sold for ten cents and was featured as a picture book of Zephyrhills. Below are four pages from the book entitled, “Zephyrhills, Florida—Winter 1912-13—Picture Book.”
The 1913 faculty of Zephyrhills: William Cleveland Finney, Mrs. W.C. Finney, Miss Holmes, Muriel Storms, Ruth Sumner, Miss Birdena Schenck, Miss Lillie Geiger, Vassar C. Matthews, Miss Lillian Carter, Miss Nina Percival. (photo below)
Miss Nina Percival who taught at Zephyrhills in 1913-14 and 1914-15, holds the record for years of service to teaching. (As of the publishing of the History of Zephyrhills, in 1978). She taught fifty years including substitute work after retirement. The Pioneer Museum has the retirement plaque of Miss Percival with signatures of hundreds of her students on display. Below is a photo of Miss Percival’s plaque…she was a teacher at Zephyrhills High School.
Wynfred Briggs of the Class of 1913 is pictured in photo from ZHS reunion article, Zephyrhills News, June 28, 1973. Recalling Past Times…, Zephyrhills News, July 1, 1976 by Jaynell LeHeup Don Storms was recognized for being the earliest ZHS graduate present. He also had the distinction of receiving two graduation diplomas from ZHS, the 11th grade graduation in 1913 and then when it became a 12th grade graduation institution school in 1914. Mr. Storms also brought his very interesting photo albums with pictures from Zephyrhills earliest days right on to pictures from last year’s reunion, which he graciously shared with others. ZHS Alumni Set 6th Reunion…Last Graduates left in 1926, Zephyrhills News, May 29, 1975 A covered dish dinner at the new community center in Zephyr Park is planned June 29 when ZHS Alumni Association holds its annual reunion…. Other early graduates who attended last year’s reunion were Don Storms, class of 1912; Winifred Briggs, class of 1913….
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1912
J.W. Sanders---Photo appeared in Zephyrhills Colonist Newspaper
with the following announcement every week for five weeks with
photo…this from March 21, 1912. Sanders was the first principal
of Zephyrhills High School.
 School Board officials (between 1913 and 1921) seated from left to right—L.J. Gaskin, School Board Member; J.W. Sanders, County Superintendent of Schools; Standing Left to right—Sid Larkin and W.E. Douglas, School Board Members
Candidates for Superintendent of Schools I hereby announce myself a candidate of Superintendent of Schools. I believe that this office demands that its holder be a thorough school man, versed in modern methods of teaching and capable of closely inspecting the class room work. I have had four years experience as a High School Principal, and my success as such should recommend me for the office of Superintendent. I wish emphatically to announce that I am running on my own accord, not being brought out by any individual or set of individuals. I promise if elected to serve the whole people to the best of my ability. I therefore solicit your vote in the coming primaries. J.W. Sanders Announcement, Zephyrhills Colonist, March 21, 1912 From the urgent solicitation of many friends throughout the county I have agreed to ask for re-nomination to office of County Superintendent of Public Instruction of Pasco County, which I had declined to do some days ago. I have been requested to change my special office day from Wednesday as now, to Saturday, as it would be more convenient to many people which I will do if elected. I am conscious that I have served the people of the county faithfully and impartially without distinction to religious tenets, politics, factions, friends or foes. With my knowledge of the teaching ability of our teachers together with the needs and conditions of the schools I am sure I can give more effective work than either of my honorable opponents. Again I wish to thank my constituents for their loyal support given me four years ago when I carried every precinct in the county but one in the first primary over three opponents; and shall be thankful if they will give me an endorsement of my administration. Yours to Serve M.L. Gilbert Letter from Mr. Rollinson, Zephyrhills Colonist, March 21, 1912 Telling what he thinks of Zephyrhills, the best town in Florida, and some wholesome advice as to Professor Sanders and “Our Jim” for Sheriff. Mr. Editor, I read with a great deal of pleasure in last week’s Colonist that a bank had been opened in Zephyrhills. Nothing can stop the onward march of this wonderful climate of a wonderful State. Enduring the murk and mud, cold and rain, such as only blustering March in North Carolina can produce, I am longing for the fruits and flowers, and sun-kissed hills and rejuvenating breezes of Zephyrhills. …Things political are claiming much attention here….But with Taft or Roosevelt, Wilson or Harmon as President, our country will be well off. We need not worry over National disaster. In our own little town there are two political aspirants, who should have our attention. Professor Sanders, young, enthusiastic and a tower of strength in educational matters. Make him your Superintendent of Public Schools. J.H. Geiger (our Jim), the kind, the affable the “Noblest Roman of them all;” possessing all the virtues, gifted with all the traits, and endowed with all the qualities for “High Sheriff of Pasco County.” Vote for Geiger. Now, Mr. Editor, just a few weeks more and I shall be with you. In all my life, I have never had a home that called me with such wonderful force, such charming insistency but then I had not lived in Zephyrhills. –S.M. S. Rollin son --The letter of Mr. Rollinson is well timed and should set the dormant memory to thinking from the political standpoint. He says, “Vote for Professor Sanders for School Superintendent.” Would it not be a magnificent thing to do, to sleep and dream over the situation a little. The editor is a stranger here, but conditions shall quickly appeal to the stranger. This county is all one Democratic family, as to candidates this fall. Do not forget that efficiency and ability is what you want for to insure the capabilities of your children when they take their place as citizens. You, voter, should neither be governed by a flowery speech or an appeal to prejudice to cast your vote for the all important office of Superintendent, but weigh in the balance and demand the best. Professor Sanders, by abstemious gentlemanly qualities, has the confidence of this community. As an educator, none could give better satisfaction. He holds a certificate that entitled us to the belief that he is capable of graphing the highest degree of education that he will be called on to meet in the county. He believes in the highest and best educational advantages for your children to fit them for the battle of life. He is a practical educator of great ability, and with a kind, confiding nature that peculiarly fits him for the position therefore Pasco county cannot afford to have him turned down at the primaries. Good sound judgment should dictate that the common voter should never allow a velvety tongue, or subtle scheming to influence their vote. If the people are going to provide the best opportunities for their children, they must provide the best instruments to accomplish that end. From an unbiased judgment, let them ask, can we afford to allow such princely men as Professor J.W. Sanders to be defeated by men of meager ability in the educational world. The paper takes up the fight for him after calm deliberation, and careful consideration, and we ask our readers to do the same. Neither party prejudice nor selfish interest has a part in our decision. Dear voter, will you use the same care in yours. That Primary, Zephyrhills Colonist, May 30, 1912 That second primary was hot Tuesday at Zephyrhills and about the same number of votes cast as the first: 145. The warmest fight was on County Commissioner resulting in the election of Allen Bird by 60 majority in the District. The vote here on the more interesting was: County Commissioner: Bird—84 Dormany—57 County Superintendent of Schools: Sanders—113 Williams—22 Tax Collector: Mobly—82 Boone—54 Assessor: Sparkman—67 Alexander—61 Sheriff: Sturkey—88 Hudson—50 Representative: Drew—57 Mickler—42 The fight on Commissioner was made ostensibly on the question of good roads, and the result has placed the burden on the shoulders of Mr. Bird, and the people of this District will demand a fulfillment of his declarations. Dormany has done a heroic stunt on the road question the past year, and the people will demand as much of his predecessor, and it is hoped he will make good. The Zephyr Colonist, October 5, 1912 We acknowledge the receipt of a Commencement card of the Pasco County High School in which exercises will take place, tomorrow evening, Friday, May 3rd under the immediate direction of Professor Corr. The class consists of eight who have reached that stage in life where they begin life’s battle in earnest. Summer School Beginning April 15, and continuing six or eight weeks at the Zephyrhills High School Building. Tuition $1.00 per week in advance. Girls and boys desiring to attend, please make arrangements with Miss Donoho. Class of 1912 is Oldest Person at ZHS Summer Alumni Reunion, Zephyrhills News, June 29, 1972 About 60 persons attending the third annual Zephyrhills High School Summer Alumni Homecoming and picnic were moved inside the Veterans of Foreign Wars building Sunday when rain threatened to drench the picnickers. Everyone brought a covered dish and food ranged from sauerkraut salad to country-fried chicken. ……The oldest class represented was the Class of 1912 with one member present. Don Storms, Sr. of Plant City, formerly of Zephyrhills, where he has been a businessman, educator, church and civic leader, gave the invocation. Mr. Storms who graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 1912-13 (1912 when they only had 11 grades and 1913, the first year for the 12th grade) was also honored as representing the earliest class. As so often happens with reunions, more alumni came from other towns to attend, than alumni who still make their homes in the “old home town!” Photo below is from the Zephyrhills News, Founders Day edition, 1966 and the caption reads—“Early Day Glamour Girls.” In Rosemary Trottman’s History of Zephyrhills, she provides this description of the photo…”A Girl’s Basketball team in pleated black bloomers, except for a tall girl in a black dress holding the ball, was photographed by B. E.Treanor on a 1912 tour of Florida, including Zephyrhills. Uarda Briggs, Dorothy Briggs, Nettie and Emma Williams, Mary Lisle, Azaline Geiger and three unidentified players are pictured. Each girl wore on her left shoulder a letter of the word, Zephyrhills.
The following photo was also published in the 1966 Founder’s Day Zephyrhills News edition and has the following caption: “ In 1912 Zephyrhills High School Sophomores (class of 1914) paraded on Memorial Day and stopped to have their pictures taken in front of the Zephyrhills Colony Co. office at the southwest corner 5th Ave. and west 7th St. Teacher, left, had a new spring bonnet.
Photo below…..A very early high school group. Bottom row, left to right, Belle Adkins, Hazel Hart, Flora Shanks, Uarda Briggs, Mary Lisle, Blanche Geiger, Viva Brinson, Margery Turner. Top row—George Orcutt, Leo Ecker, Jeffrey Turner (above Uarda), Unknown, Lula Ryals, Billy Siggins, and Simon Geiger
The registers from 1912 which include the student’s names (as posted below) were: Charlie Bailey, age 6; Charlotte Bailey, age 6; Robby Bartholomeu, age 6; Gerald Briggs, age 8; Ruth Brown, age 6; Urilla Brown, age 5; Charles Campbell, age 10; Lewis Chancey, age 18; Eunice Lee Craig, Lyle DeRyder, age 10; Rachel DeRyder; Inis DeRyder; Henry Edmondson, age 11; Ella Mae Fillmon; Mattie Fillmon, age 6; Herbert Fletcher, age 10: Bethel Geiger, age 8; Curtis Geiger, age 10; Jean Giredat, age 7; Harmon Geiger, age 10; Lucille Gill, age 5; Charles Glover, age 8; Jennings Gummoe, age 6; Frankie Hedges, age 6; Katheryn Hendrix, age 6; Nell Hendrix, age 6; Ruby Hensley, age 6; Byron Hill, age 12; Gordon Hill, age 8; Moray Kersey, age 14; Margaret Knapp, age 6; Helen Koontze, age 5; Guy Lambkin, age 14; George Lambkin, age 12; Harry Lane, age 17; Raymond Learston, age 8; Dale Leonard, age 18; Lona Lindstrom, age 6; Pearl Lisenby, age 6; Vernie Lisenby, age 7; Nephi Mayo, age 7; Margaret McGuire; Robert McGuire, age 9; Nephi Mayo, age 7; Everett Means, age 11; Johnny Means, age 16; Robert McGuire, Paul Miller, age 6; Pauline Overstreet, age 6; Ray Pellham, age 9; Helen Penrod, age 5; Raymond Pearston, Franke Posey, age 5; Guy Leroy Posy, age 7; Edwina Rolf, age 5; Frederick Russel, age 7; Otis Ryals, age 7; Parnel Ryals, age 11; Bessie Sauls; Ralph Sauls, age 6; Austin Smith, age 7; Hurley Smith, age 6; Bessie Stafford, age 12; Josie Stafford, age 8; Myrtle Stafford, age 7;Edwin Stebbins, age 8; Frank Stebbins, age 10; Kenneth Storms, age 8; Ruth Storms; Frank Studstill, age 11; Mary Tallman; Ethel Taylor, age 6; Earl Vogt, age 6; Herman Vogt, age 11; Lula Wallace; Mae Wallace; Esther Ward, age 6; Edith Wells, age 5; Oma Williams, age 6; Billie Wofford, age 9; and Bruce Woods, age 6. Parents were asked also to provide their names. These records were scanned by Jeff Miller of the fivay project from Pasco County School Board archives. There appear to be the following students of high school age enrolled in 1912: Lewis Chancey, Moray Kersey, Byron Hill, Guy Lambkin, George Lambkin, Harry Lane, Dale Leonard, Johnny Means, and Bessie Stafford
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1911Note that a heated political contest arose in 1911 as the Principal of Zephyrhills High School decided to run for Pasco County School Superintendent. His opponent was: O.N. Williams. The local newspaper, The Zephyrhills Colonist, was highly supportive of Sanders. Here are a series of articles to enjoy...some of the Superintendent candidates appear to have needed some grammar and spelling lessons!The Picnic, Zephyrhills Colonist, November 9, 1911 The picnic was a brilliant success, notwithstanding the fact that the day opened raw and rainy and continued so up to eleven a.m. The crowd was one of representative picnic persuasions and much grub of superior quality was hidden from sight in a very short space of time after they got fairly to work. Judge Hunters notorious Marshall Band assembled on the east end of the city at the proper time, and after regaling the people with strains of exquisite music led the procession to the ground. After dinner, everybody looked happy and Hunters band struck a few more familiar chords. J.F. Stebbins called the people to order and in a nice little talk, gave us many good pieces of friendly advice. Then came Mr. J.L. Geiger, whom our people believe will make a first class sheriff, and who was followed by Professor Sanders (ZHS Principal), who is slated for the next Superintendent of Public Instructions of Pasco County, and as desert they used the editor of the Colonist. The male quartet favored the audience with a couple of fine selections and then the entire crowd went over to the ball ground and watched a very interesting ball game between the high school boys and the Athletic Association nine. The school boys lost to the Athletics with a score of 13 to 6. The little fellows played hard and well, but the preponderance of beef was too much for them. Everybody had a good time and seemed to enjoy it and nothing occurred to mar their pleasure except that young Mr. Harry Harvil who just arrived in Zephyrhills last week, received a severe lick on the temple with the ball, which put him out of the game, but from which it is thought and hoped nothing serious will result, as he soon recovered from the shock. Don’t Know, Zephyrhills Colonist, November 16, 1911 We notice an article in the Dade City Record, of last week (yet it is a pitty to do so) written in Ministerial velvet, and signed by one of our candidates for county superintendent, which smacks slightly of Cain’s demeanor to the voice after he pulverized Able. Subject: “Zephyrhills Picnic”—The picnic was strictly a happy time affair, neither sectarian nor political. Professor Sanders (Principal of ZHS) was asked to address the people on the all absorbing question of teaching the young idea how to shoot, and he stuck squarely to his text, never mentioned his own candidacy, yet it seems to be the consensus of opinion here, that, barring changes, if there is 300 votes in Zephyrhills next fall, Mr. Sanders (ZHS Principal) will likely get 290 of them. This is not meant to discourage any one, but, we love our neighbors as ourselves, and always reserve for them our heaping measure of gratitude and votes. We feel that “your editor” was the only man “snubbed” as the gentleman of cloth failed to come around and allow us to fall on his shoulder and drop a tear of gratefulness. We are getting to be a pretty fair sized family down here, and as the fellow who wanted to trade affections said, affinity sometimes beats consanguinity these later ides. And we can only say, my esteemed friend, that we love you no less, all of us, but as the dividing line must be located somewhere, we love our Mr. Sanders more.” A Man of Brains, Zephyrhills Colonist, November 30, 1911 To Editor of Zephyrhills Colonist: Noticing your uncalled-for tirade against me in your paper I enclose one dollar for which to send me your paper. Now, Mr. Editor, I noticed you was a “very short” man, but I trust you are tall enough, to let me have a word, in your paper, and set myself right before strangers, those who know me will not be affected, for they know I am a very modest preacher. You remind me of the frog in the wall at “Kiota.” You don’t seem to know there is any water greater than the well in which you live. The man who would rise politically in Florida by belittleing the preacher will get left, for the preachers have been one of the many factors, that has made Florida what she is. Your beloved Sanders (ZHS Principal) is a Baptist deacon, and there should be little difference between a Baptist deacon and a Baptist preacher, aside from that Bro. Sanders(ZHS Principal) is no more a citizen of your town than I am, as he has a home Dade City, and his business is teaching, and another year will be more likely to find him in Alauchawa or Key West teaching, than in Zephyrhills, or in the Superintendent’s Office. If I thought you had the votes of your town in your pocket (as you seem to indicate) and could vote them for who you pleased, as so many cattle, of course I would feel badly. But those grand old men who defended the stars and stripes on so many battle fields, will not be led by you. But I believe will vote for the man who in their judgment will best serve the whole people. Pasco County, and those Floridans who has born the burden of the Frontier life, will never support any man with a ring in his nose. Hoping to know each better, I am Fraternally. --O.N. Williams (ZHS Principal’s Opponent for race for Superintendent)
Zephyrhills Colonist, October 12, 1911
Zephyrhills Colonist, October 5, 1911
Zephyrhills News, July 30, 1977
School rosters from 1911 show these students attending the Zephyrhills
school: Charley Bailey, age 6; Charlotte Bailey, age 6; Robley
Bartholomew, age 6; Earle Boyette, age 6; Gerald Briggs, age 8; Mary
Briny, age 8; Myrtle Briny, age 12; Ruth Brown, age 6; Villa K. Brown,
age 5; Charles Campbell, age 10; Lewis Chancey, age 13; Eunice Lee
Craig, age 8; Raymond Cursten, age 8; Inis De Ryder, age 10; Lyle De
Ryder, age 10; Rachel De Ryder, age 8; Henry Edmondson, age 11; Ella
May Fillmon, age 11; Mattie Fillmon, age 6; Herbert Fletcher, age 10;
Bethel Geiger age 8; Curtis Geiger, age 10; Lucile Gill, age 5; Jean
Giredat, age 7; Charles Glover, age 8; Harmon Geiger, age 10; Corine
G..... , at 8; Jennings Gunnoe, age 6; Frankie Hedges, age 6; Katherine
or Nell Hendrix, age 6; Ruby Hensley, age 6; Byron Hill, age 12; Gorden
Hill, age 8; Moray Kersey, age 14; Margaret Knapp, age 6; Helen
Koontze, age 5; George Lambkin, age 12; Guy Lambkin, age 14; Harry
Lane, age 17; Dale Leonard, age 10; Ione Lindstrom, age 5; Vernie or
Pearl Lisenby, age 6; Nephi Mayo, age 7; Margaret McGuire, age 10;
Robert McGuire, age 9; Everett Means, age 11; Reida Lyda; Johnny Means,
age 16; Paul Miller, age 6; Pauline Overstreet, age 5; Ray Pellham, age
9; Helen Penrod, age 5; Guy Leroy Posey, age 8; Frankie Posy, age 5;
Edwina Rolf, age 5; Frederick Russell, age 5; Otis Ryals, age 7; Parnel
Ryals, age 11; Bessie Sauls age 9; Ralph Sauls, age 6; Austin Smith age
6; Hurley Smith, age 6; Josie Stafford, age 8; Myrtle Stafford, age 7;
Edwin Stebbins, age 8: Frank Stebbins, age 10; Kenneth Storms, age 8;
Ruth Storms, age 7; Frank Studstill, age 11; Mary Tallman, age 11;
Ethel Taylor, age 6; Mae Turner, age 10; Herman Vogt, age 11; Billie
Wafford, age 9; Leola Wallace, age 5; Lula Wallace, age 12; Mae
Wallace, age 10; Esther Ward, age 6; Edith Wells, age 5; Oma Williams,
age 5; and Bruce Woods, age 6.
1910—THE BEGINNING AT ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Per Rosemary Wallace Trottman from her book, The History of Zephyrhills- Student, Leo Ecker, and his new friends entered that first day,
The principal’s office was in the second
story room above the small entrance porch. In the belfry overhead hung
the bell donated by the colony company. A stout rope ran through a neat
hole in the ceiling to hang near the principal’s desk.
Hallowe’ens were not properly celebrated unless the big boys
succeeded in removing the clapper from the bell. It was always hidden
under the desk, in a bottom drawer, behind a good case, or in some
other easily discovered place. The building in 1910 had four rooms on the first floor with a wide hall and stairways leading to the upper story which was divided into two rooms. The dividing wall was a set of folding doors arranged on a metal track so that they could be folded back to make an auditorium of the two classrooms when necessary. The rooms were soon overcrowded. During the summer following the school’s opening, an addition with a hall and stairway ascending to the upper room and giving access to the auditorium were built at the rear. Finally a separate primary building was necessary and a one-story building of two rooms between the main building and Seventh Avenue were added. No picture of the first faculty
survives, perhaps due to lack of interest when so many other
interesting things were happening all over the region. The earliest
faculty pictured included Mr. William Cleveland Finney, and Mrs.W.C.
Finney, the Misses Holmes, Muriel Storms, Ruth Sumner, Birdina Schenck,
Lillie Geiger, Lillian Carter, Nina Percival and V.C. Mathews.
The earliest pictured student group included Belle Adkins, Hazel Hart
(Batchelor), Flora Shanks (Skogstad), Uarda Briggs, Mary Lisle, an
unidentified boy, Jeffrey Turner, Jessie Herndon, Lula Ryals, Blance
Geiger (Turner), Lawrence Percival and Simon Geiger. When the school day ended, the children of the town returned to their homes; but the children of the rural sections had a short playtime while the horses were being harnessed. The school wagons were fitted with benches on each side, and if the number warranted, a seat down the middle. There was a canvas roof with curtains that could be rolled down in case of rain.The rides along meandering roads were a time for getting acquainted, for trading leftover cake, cookies, sandwiches, or baked sweet potatoes from tin buckets or woven lunch baskets.It was a vocabulary building time too. Peanuts were known goobers and pinders.
Some additional history …..from teacher, Rosemary Wallace Trottman…
The system of local schools was primarily that
of one room school houses. The public schools were in financial
and leadership difficulties in the late 1870s. In 1875 there were 17
schools in the system, an attendance of 475 and $1,425 was recorded as
expended for the schools. In May 5, 1877, all reports were
discontinued for a time. The system of local schools continued as they
had from the 1850s when the famous author and soldier, F.C.M. Boggess
taught the Fort Dade Academy….The attitude of the pioneers who
had been boastful of their freedom from “book larnin”
changed.They began to come sheepishly and privately whenever possible
to have letters written or read for them and their marks verified by
justices of the peace whom they trusted. They now declared openly that
they did not want their children growing up without schooling.They took
advantage of the custom of exempting the less able from paying a part
of the teacher’s salary or taking a turn at boarding that person.
It was not unusual for older students to be beginners in the one-room
schools to assist in the care of their six-year-old-classmates. Perhaps the most memorable result after the
sale day was the beginning of the school building and the school term
of 1910-11. As soon as the county school board received the deed to the
site at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Sixth Street, it ordered the
beginning of construction. Lumber was delivered from Greer and
the carpenters began the work. The inspection of the completed building
was set for late summer. At the end of the 1909-10 term, the one room
schools in the area closed their doors forever. The one room schools of
Independence School, Childers School and Union Schools were closed and
the consolidated Zephyrhills High School was brought to birth! The school opened that first fall, September 1910, and the children were busy just getting to know each other. The children who came in school wagons tended to find a shady spot and eat lunches as they had in the one-room groups. It was like Sunday every school day when the Union, Childers and Independence (one-room school) pupils were united for lunch as they had been at the church. When the children from the town returned from their meals at home, all groups were joined for games on the payground for a time. One girl remembers to this day the popular third grader Jennie Harris’s (Emondson’s) skill at jumping rope and later Hazel Wright’s (Storm’s) skill at the piano. She played for all the assemblies.During the earliest years the faculties were predominantly from among the older settlers who had graduated from the Dade City Normal School and studied at Madison, Tallahassee or Gainesville. Very soon the early graduates returned to teach and teachers from Ohio, New York and Washington State were on the faculty. It became a truly north-south faculty. Miss Ruth Sumner from Dade City wrote, “I had never taught in a Yankee community before, but I liked it. The old people were wonderful to me,” Miss Lodema Larkin, Mrs. Essie Burkett Sanders, Miss Lillian Carter from Dade City and Miss Lillie Geiger from the Independence School were among the faculty which included many teachers from out of state or 1910 settlers.
The first principal of ZHS was Judge James Wilton Sanders. A plaque in recognition of Sanders, is posted in The Lacoochee School House Exhibit at the Dade City Pioneer Museum and looks like the following. The plaque includes a memoriam and a biography of Judge Sanders which highlights his role as the first principal of ZHS.
Wording from the Resolution above reads-- A Resolution of the Board of Public Instruction of Pasco County, Florida, naming and designating the public school located at Drexel, Florida as the James Wilton Sanders Memorial School. Whereas the construction of a new five room elementary school has been completed in Drexel, Florida, in Pasco County, and Whereas the erection of such consolidated public school at Drexel, Florida was initiated by and through the unselfish and untiring effort and foresight of Judge James Wilton Sanders, one of the lasting educators and outstanding citizens of Pasco County, Florida, and Whereas the Board furnishes this to present tribute to the memory of the Judge James Wilton Sanders in the naming of the school located at Drexel, Florida, JAMES WILTON SANDERS MEMORIAL SCHOOL in honor and respect to the memory of this splendid citizen of our County. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Board of public instruction of Pasco County, Florida. That the public school of Drexel, Florida, shall from henceforth be known and designated as the JAMES WILTON SANDERS MEMORIAL SCHOOL in respectful tribute to the memory of the said James Wilton Sanders Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be recorded upon the minutes of the board. Be it further resolved that this resolution be read at the dedication commencing upon the conclusion of the building of the said James Wilton Memorial School and that a memorial plaque with the designation of said school be herein provided, be placed in or upon said school as to permanently confirm the same and designation of said school. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution is verified by the Secretary of the Board and designees to the Principal of the said James Wilton Sanders Memorial School with the instructions that said copy of said resignation be retained among the records of said school Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution is certified by the secretary of the board… Wording from the Memoriam above— James Wilton Sanders was born September 7, 1887 in Hawthorne, Alachua County, Florida, son of Zedoo Munford and Carolyn (Dawson) Sanders. His father born about 1850, died December 8, 1916, was a farmer and cattleman. James Wilton Sanders has three sisters and four brothers who survived him: Mrs. J.L. Carter of Fairbanks, Florida; Mrs. J.E. Byrd and Mrs. John Touchton of Jacksonville, Florida; Mr. A.P. Sanders of Fairbanks, Florida; Mr. H.M. Sanders of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Mr. G.A. Sanders of Leesburg, Florida and Mr. D.A. Sanders of Eugene, Oregon. James Wilton Sanders attended the public schools of Orange Lane and later went to Godwin Seminary. Later he became a student at Florida Seminary (now connected with the University of Florida) where he prepared himself for teaching. He began active work in his profession in 1906 as a teacher in Alachua County. In 1908 and 1909 he was Assistant Principal at Florida Central Normal Institute then situated in Dade City, Florida. He taught in Levy, Marion, Sumter and Pasco Counties in the years that ensued and performed a work of value in his profession. He had positions as principal of schools at Linden and Davenport as well as Zephyrhills High School. In 1912, he was elected Superintendent of Pasco County Schools, an office that he held until 1920 when he resumed his teaching activities as Principal of Dade City Grammar School. In 1926 he left the teaching profession and turned his attention to business and to other matters that interested him in the sphere of public life. Real Estate and general merchandising activities constituted his major commercial undertakings during this period. In 1927, Governor Martin appointed him to the County Judgeship left vacant for the remainder of an unexpired term and until 1935, Judge Sanders served in that capacity. In September 1935, he was forced by the condition of his health to retire from his active endeavors. He purchased a grove in Denham where he devoted himself to managing the citrus fruit production business be established there. Judge Sanders married Essie Burkett on April 11, 1909. The union was blessed with the following children: Carolyn Elizabeth, Alberta, Johnnye Mae, Christine, Anna Claire, James Wilton Jr., and James. Judge Sanders died November 25, 1938, in Tampa, Florida. |