St. Clair County Schools

Then and Now – Reminiscence.

B.F. Lawler

In 1850 the best school building in St. Clair county was in Osceola and if nothing occurs it will be so again in September of this year, sixty-five years from that date.

A few wealthy people lived here then, but such a building as we now have in process of erection was far from their thoughts. School houses were built of logs then except the brick academy in Osceola and a frame building in the neighborhood of Mr. Speed, who was a teacher in it a few miles northwest of Osceola. A course of study was hardly known among our pupils, but elective studies were common and few had uniform books for classes as we now have.

I wish to congratulate our school board, our teachers and all the pupils upon the prospect of opening school in so fine a building in September. I wish also congratulate the contractor and the builders upon the high order of work being done on the building.

B.F. Lawler