Charleston Schools
Charleston Schools
“The public school buildings of Charleston are all elegant brick edifices of modern architecture, and present a very fine and imposing appearance particularly that in the central district.” The History of Coles County, Illinois, William Perrin, 1879
Schools are a direct reflection of a community and its values. The schools in Charleston, Illinois illustrate the changes in school buildings over time. The first high school was built in 1870, and throughout the years, we can see how school building design changed by becoming more standardized and in line with the school reform movements of the early part of the 20th century. Lincoln and Jefferson are the two oldest school buildings currently standing in Charleston.
By looking at the oldest schools in a community, we can see how towns grew and how education was valued and invested in over time. Looking at the map, we can also see how school locations have changed over time. The schools built in the late 19th century and early 20th century tend to be orientated to the downtown area. The newer schools tend to stay close by Lincoln Avenue. Schools can be indicative of a community’s values, but they can also illustrate changes in community growth and movement.
Bibliography:
Butchart, Ronald E. Local Schools: Exploring Their History. Nashville, TN: American Association for State and Local History, 1986.
"Charleston Sanborn Maps 1896-1929." Map. In Sanborn Maps of Illinois. New York: Sandborn Map. CARLI Digital Collections.
David, C. Michael. 1982 The Charleston Experience 1975-1982: A Field Study Concerning the Financial, Academic, and Extracurricular Problems and Solutions in the Charleston, Illinois School System from 1975-1982. Master's thesis, Eastern Illinois University, 1982.
Hill, William James. A Concise History of Education in Illinois with Special Reference to Coles County and Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1. Eastern Illinois University, 1977.
The History of Coles County, Illinois Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, a Directory of Its Tax-payers, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, General and Local Statistics, Map of Coles County, History of Illinois, Illustrated, History of the Illinois, Illustrated, History of the Northwest, Illustrated, Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters. Chicago: Wm. LeBaron, Jr., &, 1879.
A New Community Unit Studies Its Schools, a Survey of the Charleston Community Unit System, by Its Citizens, Teachers, and Pupils. Urbana: Field Service Division, Bureau of Research and Service, College of Education, University of Illinois, 1949.
Wilson, Charles Edward. History of Coles County. Chicago: Munsell, 1906.
Figures:
Figure 1: Central High School Building, Charleston, Ills. Date unknown, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Leipzig: Litho-Chrome.
Figure 2: Eastern Ward School. Date unknown, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Marion, Indiana: M.G. Callahan.
Figure 3: West Side Ward School, Charleston, Ill. Date unknown. Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Chicago: C.R. Childs.
Figure 4: Central High School, Charleston, Ill. Date unknown. Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Cincinnati, Ohio: Consolidated Art Co.
Figure 5: Old High School, Charleston, Ill. 1918. Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Charleston, Illinois: Lindy on the Corner.
Figure 6: Jefferson Senior High School, Charleston, Ill. Date unknown. Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Chicago: Genuine Curteich.
Figure 7: Lincoln School Building, Charleston, Ill. Date unknown. Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. Postcard. Chicago: C.T. Co.
Photographs of Lincoln and Jefferson were taken by Maria Mears, 2015.
