The West Side school was built in 1892 and consisted originally of six rooms. It was built and equipped at a cost of $15,000.
One room was set aside for high school use. The other five were used for the grade school. This arrangement lasted until
December 1894, when the new high school was completed. An addition to the building on the west made it ten rooms and
then a still later 1916 addition of four rooms on the north side made it one of the largest school buildings in the district. This
building was used until it was destroyed by fire on February 22, 1926. Webb City citizens passed a bond issue and a new,
one-story, school was built. This building was opened September 18, 1926. West Side school was closed in the 1960's.
The building was sold and converted into apartments. This building was destroyed by fire on April 9, 1991.
Mary Twitchel Jones was the first principal of West Side school.
She graduated from Carthage High School in 1885. Mary resigned
from her position just prior to her marriage on June 15, 1892.
West Side School Swept by Disastrous Fire, Loss Placed at $40,000.
The Webb City Daily Sentinel, Tuesday, February 23, 1926
The West Side school, the largest ward school in the city, was swept by fire last night at 7:15 p.m. The building
seem to have caught on the southeast part of the roof, according to people who were the first to arrive. According
to Fire Chief Walt Maness a defective flue probably was the cause for the roof that was burning on the outside first.
When the fire alarm was turned in only one truck responded, but subsequent calls brought the entire department
as well as a machine from Carterville, and in a short time six steams of water were being played on the building.
The loss today was put at $40,000 while insurance was carried to the amount of $19,000, according to A. G. Young,
secretary of the school board. The school board has been called together tonight in special session for the purpose
of making housing plans for the students who attended that school. Plans will probably come up for immediate rebuilding,
as well as the possibility of a bond issue being necessary to put the building back in shape. Besides the insurance an
additional $20,000 will likely be needed.
Perfecting School Plans
The Webb City Daily Sentinel, Friday, February 26, 1926
When the West Side school burned, last Monday night, the board of education was confronted with a situation, that of
housing the children, which demanded very careful deliberation. This body, at first, considered renting some vacant
buildings in the west end of the city, for temporary quarters for the remainder of the term. They were then puzzled with
regard to the heating and the sanitary conditions necessary for a large group of children. This arrangement would also
scatter the children of this district, as no building could be found large enough to house all the children. The board of
education kept several things in mind while making their plans--the welfare of the children of this district, in that they wish
them to do as efficient work as the other children of the city; the convenience and safety of the children and keeping the
additional cost, that will be incurred, as low as possible.
The complete arrangements as worked out by the Superintendent and board are: all children of grade one will attend
school in the West Side Church, grades two to seven inclusive will attend the remainder of the term at the Webster school.
This building has six unused rooms. All children will be transported to the building by street car. The place of meeting
will be the lot between West End Pharmacy and the office building of the Southwest Mo. R. R. All children of grades 5,
6 and 7 accompanied with the teachers of these grades, Misses Bates, Clark and Blackman, must be at the meeting place
each morning in time to catch the car which will leave at 8:20. The children and teachers of these same grades will leave
Webster school in the evening at 4:05 for the return trip. All children of grades 2, 3 and 4, accompanied with the teachers
of these grades, Mrs. Hatcher, Misses Gorrell and Rountree must be at the meeting place in time to catch the car, which
will depart at 8:35. School for three grades will be dismissed at 3:45 in order to ride the car which will leave the school
building at 3:50. The cars will always leave on time and it is up to the parent to see that their children get there on time.
If any children miss the car at any time, they will be expected to walk to Webster, as no excuse for being absent, because
of "missing the car" will be accepted. The Southwest Mo. R. R. Co. has made very fair terms to the board of education, yet
it will cost quite a little sum to transport the children the remainder of the school term.
$30,000 For New School
The Webb City Daily Sentinel, Tuesday, March 9, 1926
The school board in session last night ordered an election asking for a bond issue of $30,000 to rebuild the West Side
school building which was destroyed by fire three weeks ago tonight. On this bond issue the people of Webb City will be
fortunate, as in June the school board is to retire $20,000 in bonds, thus making only a $10,000 increase in the school
district of Webb City.
With the $15,996.31 insurance and the $30,000 in bonds a school building will be built that will make Webb City people
proud. The plans now call for a one story 8 room modern structure of the latest design.
School Enroll 1,661 Pupils
The Webb City Daily Sentinel, Monday, September 18, 1926
Supt. Masters today reports a total enrollment of 1,661 in the Webb City schools. The new West Side school started
functioning today and the enrollment by buildings follows: High School--402; Central--456; Eugene Field--305; West
Side--247; Webster--144; Franklin--109.
Webb City School Ablaze
Damage estimated at $6000 was done by fire of undetermined origin at the West Side school in Webb City early Sunday morning.
Closing of the school for extensive repairs was made necessary. Temporary classes were arranged by school officials in the
West Side Methodist Church, the Franklin school and the Jenkins Bible school building. The school will be closed for several
weeks.
The Carthage Evening Press, November 14, 1944
West Side School History from the 1909 King Jack Annual
