12/03/2022
https://www.facebook.com/100063707869837/posts/577819031018354/?mibextid=Nif5oz
Sibley High School
Taken from History of Webster Parish Schools, April 1935
“In 1863 Mr. John C Lane donated the land and lumber for the first school building of the village of Sibley. It was a small one-room frame building built by Mr. Lane, Mr. John Tharpe, and Mr. Phil Tharpe. The building was of rough lumber, containing five windows and three doors. It was a school house and Methodist Church combined, and was known as Lane’s Chapel.
Mr. Henry Maxey was the first teacher of this small school of about twelve pupils. It was a common school, having no grades. The school term extended through the months of March, April, and May. The books were bought by the pupils. A spring near the building was the source of water supply. It was customary to have spelling matches or debates on Friday afternoons.
The Methodist preacher, Mr. Sheppard, tried to sell the school and church in 1893. This was prevented by Mr. Lane, who had the deed to the land. Two years later a church was built and the school house was no longer used for a church.
While Mr. Cheshire was teaching in 1905 it was decided that a new building should be erected. The Lane heirs gave the land and sold the old building to help build the new one. Mr. J.C. Powell was the contractor. This building was blown down, and not being seriously damaged, was repaired and put into use again. In 1910 this building was sold to obtain sufficient funds to build one. Mr. Hinds was the contractor. Mr. Griffis was the first teacher in this building.
The Clayton School was consolidated with the Sibley School about 1912. The pupils of the Clayton School came to Sibley on a bus drive by Mr. Stone. The consolidation on Yellow Pine and Sibley schools took place in 1921. The Yellow Pine bus was driven by Mr. Jim Mabry.
During the term of 1922-23 the frame building was replaced by a brick building. The cost was $75,000. The new school contained a laboratory and a Home Economics department. A deep well was dug for the water supply. Mr. Youree was the principal of the school at this time.
On December 6, 1923, the building was destroyed by fire. The loss was partially covered by insurance. Mr. E. F. Neild was architect for the new building. Part of the bricks of the old building were used. School was held in shacks in the rear of the site of the school until the building was completed. The building was finished in time for the Senior class of 1924 to have its graduating program in it. A grove of sycamores was set out around the new building. Some shrubbery was also planted. The principal’s home, built in 1924, is owned by the school. A walk was put around the school building in 1930. In 1935 the windows were re-painted and the plaster in the rooms and in the halls was also re-painted. More shrubbery was set out along the sides of the building.
One hundred and fifty pupils are enrolled in the Sibley High School—fifty in high school and one hundred in grammar school. There are six teachers including the principal, Mr. W.E. Pate.”
In a 1975 article in the Minden Press-Herald, Mrs. Vonnie J. Kolar makes mention of a school before the one built by John G. Lane taught first by Miss Fannie Pratt and then by Miss Betty Rochester.
The origin of the 1923 fire was undetermined but believed to have been the basement where coal was stored. It was decided that the new building would be a near-replica of the first.
