Bethesda High School, Bethesda, Ohio

HISTORY by: Cora McFadden Gregg

In 1989 our school was part of Goshen Township, known as district no. 6. WilliamTolbert, our representative on the board of Education and A.A. McEndree was Principal with two (2) teachers in the grades.
In September, 1989, A Township High School was organized with less than a half dozen pupils, The first class graduated in 1900 with two (2) graduates. This commencement was held in the Baptist Church, which was then the only suitable place in town. They charges $.25 cents admission. We had no music in the school so had a quartet furnish the music, and the speaker was paid for out of the admission charged.
In 1900, Mr. McEndree resigned and A.H. Rummell was hired.
Not satisfied with the Administration of school affairs by the township board, Mr Tolbert and Mr. Rummell made an appeal to be separated from the township and to create a special school district.
The action was granted by the Probate Judge on Oct. 19th, 1901 and it remained a special school district until it was automatically changed to a village school district under the new code of 1914 and the incorporation of the village. Through the efforts of Mr. Rummell another year was added to the high school course of study and it was charted to a 2nd grade high school on Dec. 3rd, 1903.
In the spring of 1905, Mr Rummell resigned and Mr.F.L. Marris was unanimously elected and Mary E. Smith was made principal of the high school.
In 1911, no class was graduated and a 4th year was added to the course. Accordingly it was rated to be a 1st grade high school on Oct. 26, 1914, and under the operation of the new school code.
After the 4th year was added our school grew to where we needed more room so 2 rooms were built on the East side of the building, 3 rooms of the first floor and two rooms and a recitation room on the 2nd floor.
Then we needed more room so 2 more rooms were built on the south side. This did not accommodate all classes so they rented the old Methodist Church and what is now the Mason Hall.
Music was first introduced in Sept.1923 with Mr. Reed organizing an orchestra and glee club. After music was in the school, our orchestra furnished the music for all school programs.
The Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises were held in the Methodist Church until our gym was dedicated on March 20th, 1923.
A band was organized by Robert Corbin in Sept. of 1931. In 1936 it was voted to build a new Jr. High School building. In the spring of 1937 a contract was let and on Sept 9th 1938, open house was held. School started on Sept.12th 1938 and the new building was dedicated Oct. 19th 1938.
In Nov, 1956, the people of Union, Goshen and smith Townships voted to consolidate, and that Holliway, Lafferty, Belmont, Centerville and Bethesda be Union Local High School. The boards that served these schools bought a farm at the corner of Belmont road and US Highway 40 and erected a modern school building. This was ready for high school classes to enter in Sept. 1959.
The board to serve in building the new school were as follows; J. Arthur Brown, William Lewis, Allen Bond, Stowell Perkins, W.D. Kennedy, E.L. Albanese, Superintendent. James Giffen, Principal.
So, closes the doors of our Bethesda High School but when we look back at the steps that have been taken, we can expect such changes as in the last few years and whatever the next change will be, we hope will be for the best as all the past changes have made our school better.
It is with sadness I write this for I have watched these boys and girls pass our door and heard them talk about school teachers, classmates, school mates their troubles, school activities, etc.
Yes, the bell has rung for the last time for Bethesda Hi. and I pray that we can join with pride to our new Union Local High School in the future years.
Our school has had ministers, teachers, lawyers, business men and women and we point to them with pride.
I don`t know who will read this or what will become of this bit of history but I hope that when Union Local makes History, someone will get as much pleasure from writing its history as I have this one.
So, I close this and dedicate it to the memory of my brother, Boice McFadden.