| Back Secondary Schools Only elementary education served Penobscot pupils throughout most of the nineteenth century. However, on March 5, 1888, at an annual town meeting, and on the motion of Hosea Wardwell, $200 of additional money was voted for a free High School. This was the first time since the incorporation of Penobscot that more school money then the sum required by law was ever appropriated for educational purposes. The amount required by law was $1,115. Although many people opposed the motion, the majority approved and in harmony, a free highschool was organized on January 7, 1889, and located near the Mill Creek School. Addison Littlefield was the first teacher of this newly founded educational unit. Branches of learning consisted of arithmetic, algebra, physics, grammar, U.S. History, and geography. Mr. Littlefield received $60. per month for his services. From the diary of Hosea Wardwell we were able to list those students who attended this first secondary school.: Maude Leach Hattie Bridges Persis Cushman Susan Perkins Mattie Thompson Belle Snow Margie Perkins Winnie Bowden Carro Gray Margery Chatto Fred Wight Eugene Gilford Phoebe Leach David Perkins Issac Dunbar Stella Perry Edward Dunbar Blanchard Roberts Arris Wood Lucius Grindle Merrill Perkins Maud Thompson Owen Dunbar Harold Hinkley Emma Sprague Herbert Perry Harry Peterson Grace Nichols Herbert Gray Arthur Sprague Ada Wescott Arthur Gilford Maurice Wood Isa Hutchins John Leach George Staples Ellery Bowden Durke Dunbar Fred B. Mitchell It is not known precisely how long this school was maintained, but it served the needs of the listed students over a period of years prior to the advent of Clark High School Clark High School It wasen't until 1912, that the Penobsoct town fathers chose to establish an accredited high school t the head of the bay. Due to the persuasion and influence of Winfred E. Clark, a four year college and commercial curriculum now resulted in a high school diploma. In the very' beginning of this high school, it was neccessary to use the lower floor of the Town Hall until a building could be erected. Eventually the money was appropriated and a two story structure was built. Clark High School served the needs of students from 1912 to 1954. The first principal was Margarey McManus. The first class graduated in 1915 and consisted of only one student; Vera Leach. Some of the Principals who headed Clark High School were G.Lester Hale, Kenneth Kane, Frederic Mann, Rayford Leach and Roger Danforth. Sadly, in 1954, Clark High School was discontinued and later dismantled. It now proved to be more economically feasible to transport all high school students to George Stevens Academy, in Blue Hill for the secondary education. This practice still continues today. Some students who desire not to attend Blue Hill schools have chosen to complete their secondary education at Bucksport High School, or other schools within Hancock County. |
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| Winfred E. Clark |
| Margaret E. McManus |
| Clark High School- Class Enrollment, Left to Right Front- Herbert Blaisdell, Carl Leach, Perl Leach, Sterling Leach, Harry Perry, Herbert Perry, Harland Blake Second- Olo Wellman, Grandville Mixer, Linwood Leach, Myron Staples, Hermon Cunningham, Albert Gross, Fred Mitchell Third- Leland Mixer, Brida McNelly, Irene McNelly, Arlene Bridges, Ellen Gross, Claire Leach, Lila Leach, Pearl Grindle Top Commercial Teacher, Harriet Mann, Principal Frederic Mann, and Frances Grindall |