By Sylvia Neely

In the past, many towns named their schools after some of our early presidents. Prescott was no exception with schools such as Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. This year, Lincoln School will be celebrating its 100th year, having served many thousands of Prescott’s children during that time. Coincidentally, 2009 is the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

The west side of town was an established residential area at the turn of the century and growing larger by the day. In 1908, there was an obvious need for an elementary school in what was then known as West Prescott. The new Lincoln School was completed and opened on Park Avenue in 1909 at a cost of $19,480.

The late Pauline Tovrea was a student at Lincoln in those first years after the school opened. She recalled, "In 1911, Lincoln consisted of only the north building which served first though fourth grade. The boys wore knickers and the girls wore dresses and black shoes. Most of the children walked to school and a few came by horse and buggy. Each classroom had a cloakroom. Students who misbehaved were sent to the cloakroom for punishment." (There are still cloakrooms in Lincoln’s south building.) She added, "The playground was quite different, much smaller with a straight slide and swings." A highlight of her fourth-grade year was having been voted May Queen. She dressed in her Sunday best and rode in a small wagon escorted by classmates.

For quite a few years, the Maypole dance was a special event as described in the Yavapai Magazine dated July 15, 1915: "Just opposite Lincoln School in West Prescott, among the rocks and pines, is a natural amphitheater where the May Festival has been held. The picture of the children winding their Maypole against the background of huge rocks and giant pines is one to remember: an Arizona blue sky, a Maypole wound with bright flowers and children singing and dancing."

By 1930, due to increased attendance, a new building resembling the original was erected on the grounds and is referred to as the south building. This would alleviate the crowded situation for the next 26 years. Then, between 1956 and 1959, more classrooms were added. The newest addition, called the multi-purpose building, was built in 1990.

Lincoln boasts many good teachers over the years, some of whom have enjoyed years of service there. Rose Korbel Gerten arrived in Prescott in 1930 to teach third grade and remained until 1969. Another faithful teacher, Jean Valentine, spent forty years teaching the second grade. In 1999, Sharon Zimmer won the Channel 3/Motorola Silver Apple Award for teaching excellence.

Some past principals include: Minnie Tribby, Helen Piper, Jim Burhans, Charlie Phillips, Floyd James and Frank Laughead (the latter three still live in Prescott). Bucky Bates is the current principal.

Lincoln School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributor to the West Prescott Historic District in 1989. If the walls at Lincoln could talk, what wonderful tales they could tell. The 100 years of continuous operation of the school is testimony to Prescott’s proud heritage.

On Friday September 25th, a centennial celebration will be held in the multi-purpose building. The children will enjoy the festivities in the morning from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m. Alumni and guests are invited and encouraged to attend a special program from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Maypole dance will be featured at both. Please refer to www.schools.com/lincoln for more information.

(Sylvia Neely is a volunteer researcher at Sharlot Hall Museum and specializes in Prescott school history.)

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(SHM Lincoln School) Reuse only bypermission.

For many years, May Day was a special time at Lincoln School. Everyone dressed in their Sunday best. A typical scene would have been the May Queen and her attendants being escorted to their place of honor to reign over the festivities. (Date and names unknown in this photo.)

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(pb006i14) Reuse only bypermission.

Maypole dance at Lincoln School 1913.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(bus5092) Reuse only by permission.

The newly built Lincoln School in West Prescott on Park Avenue, 1909.