Owosso Public Schools

(The following taken from the minutes of the first Owosso Township records.) At this time Owosso and Owosso Township were as one.

At a meeting of the Inspectors of Primary Schools held August 8, 1837, the boundaries of the school were established. The number of children between the ages of 5 and 17, was 30. The district voted to raise $500 for building a school house, $75 for the purchase of a library case, and $10 for the purchase of books.

The building was erected in 1840 on the south east corner of Washington and Williams Streets, then just a commons, to accommodate the 30 school age children counted by B.O. Williams.

Many organizations used the school house for their meetings. When the school was closed the building was purchased by the Salem Lutheran Church, repaired and enlarged, and used for a church for many years. When the present Salem Lutheran Church was built in 1892, the school house was moved to East Mason Street. In 1901 the Lutheran S?ool on Milwaukee Street was built, and the first school was used as a part of it.

Prior to 1840, classes were held in a log cabin next to the millrace, and on nice days, classes were held under the trees where the present City Hall now stands. The next school was built in the same area as the present Central school, and was called the Owosso Union school. It opened on October 23, 1858, and Mr. Winchell was the principal.

It contained primary, intermediate and upper grades, where the languages, music, both vocal and instrumental, were taught. The building was of brick, and beautifully finished with oak from the surrounding areas. It was divided into three apartments, 2 recitation rooms, besides large and commodious reception rooms, and would accommodate 200 scholars. It was later enlarged to make room for the many scholars that were coming in from out of the district. The bell from the 1st school was placed in this new school.

Union School 1858.

A large bell was given to this new Union School by John Judson Bagley. He had grown up in Owosso and later became Governor of Michigan.

This school also was soon filled and so in 1875, an annex was built to the north, and in 1895, two additional wings were added.

A description of the building, taken from the first Spick published by the 1902 graduating class, written by Supt. E. T. Austin.

The first two stories of the old building were used for the grades, the third floor for the high school. This floor was divided into an assembly room and three class rooms. The teaching force of the high school consisted of the Principal and three assistants. The enrollment was one hundred twenty five. The equipment in those days was meager-box desks and stools in place of the polished folding seats of today. But we had what the boys and girls will never have again, a fine view of the tree tops and house tops of the town. I sometimes think this more compensated for the uncomfortable seats and the hard climb up the stairs.

The school was improved, but in the next two years it was crowded again. A great calamity settled the problem for them. When wondering what should be done, fire struck and destroyed the $125,000 building on April 1, 1900. Killed was Fireman J. Fred Ross and Owosso High School student, Frank Tucker when a wall collapsed. More info on the Central School fire and the worst day in the Owosso Public School history.

Plans were made immediately for the building of the next school.

This new school was started in 1900. Upon completion the elementary grades occupied the lower floors and the high school students occupied the top floor. Owossos only school gymnasium was located in the center (rounded) section on the ground level. One large room on the top level was used to house the pupils of the Shiawassee County Normal School, a school to prepare students for teaching careers.

The original 1868 bell was again used at this location. The name "Union" was dropped and the school was now known as "Central" and the building faced Oliver St.

On April 23, 1945, the two story annex on the north side was destroyed by fire and was not rebuilt. In 1955 the old building was torn down to make room for the new "Central" school, which stands today. The old 1868 bell proudly stands as a reminder of days-gone-by and is mounted on a pedestal at the corner of N. Shiawassee and Oliver Streets.

Owosso High School buildings................

In 1930, a new Owosso High School (below) was built on North Water Street which served as a high school until 1962.

Today it serves as a Jr. High School

In 1962, a new high school was built on E. North St. and famed Owossoite, Thomas E. Dewey, spoke at it's dedication.

A bond issue for a new junior high school was turned down in the late 1990's which included repairs for all other buidlings in the system at a cost of $50 million.

The Owosso Public School System is the largest in Shiawassee County and includes one high school, one junior high and six elementary schools.

The 1896 Owosso City directory lists the Emerson School as follows:
Location- West Oliver St. at Dewey
Anna Hurrell, Principal
Teachers - Cora Miller, Mary E. Welton, Carrie S. Fisher, Marietta E. Thorpe, Nora E. Brewer, Della Jackson and Susan Hath.

In the 1940's (?), the present Emerson School replaced the old school. And a major renovation was completed in 2000, which brings this building up to code for the new century.