40 YEARS AGO: That’s how long it’s been since Bradford Area High
School underwent its extensive remodeling at a cost of $4
million.[neWLine]

That undertaking meant split-sessions for high-school and
junior-high school students for several years. The Oct. 30, 1965,
Era, heralded the formal dedication of the newly remodeled school
with a special edition.[neWLine]

In it was a history of schools in Bradford: “”While we look
ahead, we must also be mindful of the past – remembering Bradford’s
first school, a small one-room log schoolhouse built on the
southwest corner of Corydon and Mechanic streets, where in 1851
Judge Loyal Ward taught school.[neWLine]

“”Bradford’s first high school was opened in 1878 and offered
students a course of study ‘which will be strictly classical and
would cover a three-year period.'[neWLine]

“”Two years after Judge Ward began classes in the loghouse, he
built a two-room frame building on the Public Square, named it
Bradford Academy and there continued to keep school.[neWLine]

“”In 1873, Bradford was incorporated as a borough and the only
school within the limits of the borough was a two-room building
where School Street Junior High School stands.[neWLine]

“”The two teachers, Miss Mary Fisher and Miss Mary Peterson,
received respectively $30 and $35 monthly for a four-months’ term
with the explicit instructions that ‘they were to board
themselves.'[neWLine]

“”The total amount of taxes for all purposes raised in the
borough that first year was $316.11. In 1876, the tax levy was
$422.21, but every penny must have been earmarked since under the
date of Nov. 22, 1876, the following entry was noted in the school
board book: ‘Board met. No money. Nothing to do.
Adjourned.'[neWLine]

“”In January 1877, it was found necessary to elect a third
teacher and to have more space. A room was rented on Washington
Street and a school established there. In March of that year, the
school board seized and staked off a lot 150-feet square from the
property of a Mr. Tibbits at the corner of Congress and Elm streets
for future building.[neWLine]

“”In May, the board purchased the property plus an additional 50
feet fronting on Congress Street – all for $2,000. And in June, the
first issue of school bonds was authorized for the sum of
$700.[neWLine]

“”But for some unknown reason, the school population did not
climb that year – rather, it dropped – and the school on Washington
Street was discontinued.””[neWLine]

More Monday.