1911: Most of student body makes up Lincoln High band

100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910 and 1920) Bootleggers: With the total of $900 already collected for last week's raids and the prospects good for collecting $350 more, a total of $1,250 has been netted the county during the past few days, through the efforts of Sheriff E.H. Gum, who raided the places where liquor has been sold. Colfax, Auburn, Roseville, Lincoln and other places have been hard hit by the activities of the officers. The fines average about $300 each, with some free board thrown in. Smallpox: A little smallpox scare has come into town. A few houses have been quarantined and the health officers feel they have the epidemic under control, as it is a very mild form and by using a little discretion the disease will soon be stamped out. The Town Board of Trustees have provided a fund for hiring nurses where needed, just as a precautionary measure. More Lincoln history Note: This story (slightly edited) was written by the late Mr. Jerry Logan, a descendant from a Lincoln Pioneer family, local historian and co-founder of the Lincoln Area Archives Museum. I am quoting from his book "Fortuitous Findings," which is one of many of Mr. Logan's books that may be purchased in the gift shop at the Museum in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street, Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lincoln High School: Ten separate school districts were feeder schools for Lincoln Union High School when it opened in 1907. Nine trustees made up the school board in 1907, each one elected by the voters in one of the elementary districts. When the school opened in September of 1907 it had to have a stable or barn for the horses used by some country students to get to school. $2,500 was the total budget for operating the high school for the first year, including all salaries. School was held in a private home at 622 H Street; there were 40 students, all freshmen, that first year. A girl was elected as the first student body president, Madeline Johnson. A girls basketball team was the first athletic group organized. A boys team was organized later. The girls team beat the boys November 19, 1907, by a score of 6-3. Students could graduate from Lincoln High in two years with a "business diploma" if they completed the necessary courses in commercial subjects. College preparations required four years, however. "The Echo" was the name of the school yearbook until 1913, when it became "El Eco." Yearbooks sold for 50 cents at that time. Four years after its beginning, Lincoln Union High became famous all over Northern California for its excellent school band. It received requests from U.C. Davis and many other groups to perform. Lincoln Union High at that time had an average daily attendance of 40 students. Its first-class band had 33 members, almost the entire student body! The first graduation took place in 1909. Those first graduates had completed the two-year commercial curriculum. Graduation of four-year students began in 1911. Building the first high school building in 1910-11 was accomplished with a $20,000 bond issue. Students spent election day in the streets parading and getting voters to the polls. The bonds passed with 82% voting "yes." The beautiful mission-style high school building of 1911 was constructed mainly of terra cotta materials from the local Gladding, McBean & Co. pottery. Note: Lincoln Union High School was located on 6th Street between J and L, across from the current Lincoln High School. Photographs of the beautiful old high school may be viewed at the Lincon Area Archives Museum. Also available for perusing are old issues of El Eco. 50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Schools: A new look at the future building needs of the Western Placer Unified School District was authorized by the district's Board of Trustees in a 4-1 vote Monday evening. On a motion by Trustee Lee Springer and seconded by Trustee Virginia Bess, the board instructed District Superintendent Orrin Hoffman to launch plans for reassessing the needs of the community as far as future school building is concerned. The dissenting vote was cast by Trustee Dennis Wyatt, who explained he did not feel a bond issue could pass "due to certain conditions in the district." He did not elaborate. In making the suggestion that "we start over completely," Hoffman said he consulted with the State Department of Education, Division of Schoolhouse Planning, the Office of Local Assistance and the school architect. The study would involve, according to Hoffman, assessments of the needs, problems of sites, how to solve the problems, solutions, final decisions and discussion of finances. Regular reports would be made to the board and to the public, Hoffman said. The district currently has an available bonding capacity of $2,470,000 which Hoffman said "would take us over any footage allowable by the state." He estimated an initial tax rate of .58 cents per $100 assessed valuation based on 20-year bonds. The tax rate would drop at the rate of about 1 percent per year. Hoffman also pointed out that as the district's assessed valuation goes up, the tax rate would be reduced. "We missed an opportunity (to qualify for state funds) when our assessed value was lower," he stated. The superintendent suggested a timeline "to reach a decision on what to do next." Hoffman told board members the Office of Local Assistance had recommended that he should not approach the State Board last month with regard to applying proceeds from the Mary Beermann school site sale to the future purchase of a school site and that an opinion from the State Attorney General might be needed. He expected more information by the November State Board meeting. If the funds cannot apply to a site purchase, they must be applied to previous state bonds. Wyatt, as he had at the October board meeting, questioned Hoffman on the boundaries of the former proposed high school building site northwest of the present high school campus and whether Hoffman had obtained information requested at the October board meeting as to whether any of the lots are owned by members of the Grey family. Hoffman replied that the board would make the final determination on the site and which property would be included. "When a preliminary survey was done on the site, all property in that area was considered," the superintendent said. Wyatt expressed concern at a previous meeting that a possible conflict of interest could arise as the district's insurance coverage is carried by Grey Brothers. Referring to an article in the News Messenger, which suggested a long-range study of the district's building needs and urging the community to get involved in the planning process, Trustee Kelsey Spoor drew attention to the final paragraph which urged a "laying our cards on the table policy" and suggesting that school officials "tell it like it really is." Spoor reviewed the procedures followed in the last bond issue, which he said included information developed by the administrative staff and the state to offer alternatives and the board had accepted the recommendation to build a new high school, which he said would give the district capability of growing at all grade levels. He declared various methods of publicity were used and a citizens committee had been formed. "If someone knows a more complete way of informing the public …" A new committee, representing a "cross section" of the community, was suggested by Wyatt, with Spoor stating the board made an attempt to make the previous committee as representative of the community as possible. The need to study area growth was pointed out by Trustee Stanley Nader, with Hoffman pointing out that a master plan for the district would be part of the county master plan currently being prepared. Hoffman also told board members he is investigating new legislation which would allow school facilities to be built on a lease-purchase plan and which would only need a simple majority for passage rather than a two-thirds majority, as would a regular bond issue. The interest rate might be higher, the superintendent said, "But I would like to explore the new law to see if it is a better deal for the taxpayers." 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Ads: Wanted: Dog to work in rice field with turkeys. Shepherd or collie. Wanted: Olive pickers, Kalaga Springs Road.