ILLASALL-L Archives

From: Joan Johnson <>
Subject: from Streator's history
Date: Wed, 02 May 2001 01:08:35 -0500

...from Streator's Development Pictured in Pageantry, 1832 - 1922. A
souvenir program containing Streator's Early History
Marilla Park, June 22, 1922
This booklet was donated to the Streatorland Historical Society by Lyle
Yeck.
pages 16-17
EARLIER SCHOOL HISTORY
Where now is the southwestern corner of Park and Grove Streets was
one of the earlier schools (The Blackwell district school) of this
locality but the first town school seems to have been on West Elm
Street, the lumber of the original structure being later used in the
residence now owned by Fred Renz and on the pioneer site. J. C. Pirkey,
still living, taught school there.
About 1870 the Central School, where now stands the Garfield, was
erected with two rooms; then followed the "North" on the Greeley's
present site: the "East" on the present Ralph Plumb school location;
next the "Grant" where the present Grant building stands, and smaller
structures in outlying districts.
The first principal of the graded schools (two rooms) was a Mr. Rood;
his assistant, Miss Dey, B. B. Lakin was principal later and for many
years was superintendent of the graded schools.
The first High School class was graduated in 1876, the school being
established the preceding year on the second floor of the first bank
building, on South Bloomington Street, mentioned elsewhere. Dr. E. P.
Murdock, uncle of Max Murdock, and still living in Chicago, was
principal and also had charge of the graded schools. J. A. Freeman
followed him as principal.
The High School was moved to South Monroe Street soon afterward when
a building more commodious was provided there. It stood where now is
located the Baptist parsonage. The school continued there til Col.
Plumb donated a site and the original brick building at the present
location opened in 1882.
Miss Mary Donagho, sister of Streator's second postmaster and still
living here, taught the Blackwell School, already mentioned, in 1867, a
year after she came west. Her first term had been at the Bradford
school, southwest of town. Later, under Dr. Murdock, she taught in the
town schools. She says the Blackwell school was moved about 1870 from
Park Street to Bloomington Street, north of First Street.
Miss Sarah Sexton, for more than fifty years a teacher in rural
schools northeast of Streator, is still living, although nearly eighty.
She is an aunt of Dr. Roy Sexton.

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• from Streator's history by Joan Johnson <>