Dec 12, 2024

📷 Throwback Thursday: Lincoln Elementary - Vol. 100

Posted Dec 12, 2024 12:00 PM
Maple Street School - 1903 - 301 E. Bigger (Southside 1887-1922, now Lincoln School). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Maple Street School - 1903 - 301 E. Bigger (Southside 1887-1922, now Lincoln School). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."

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STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southeast corner of Bigger Avenue and South Maple.

One of the earliest public grade schools erected in Hutchinson was the Southside School, sometimes called the Maple Street School, in 1887. The first photo shows that school at its opening.

Maple Street School - 1903 - 301 E. Bigger (Southside 1887-1922, now Lincoln School). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Maple Street School - 1903 - 301 E. Bigger (Southside 1887-1922, now Lincoln School). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

It served for 36 years. It had six rooms and later added six more. A Mrs. Moore was the first principal. The second photo shows Mrs. Cockey's third-grade class in 1902.

Maple Street School - Now Lincoln - 301 E. Bigger - Miss Cockey's Third-Grade Class - 1902. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Maple Street School - Now Lincoln - 301 E. Bigger - Miss Cockey's Third-Grade Class - 1902. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1923, a fine new school was constructed on the same property, just east of the first school. The third photo shows this school, named Lincoln Elementary.

Maple Street School - Lincoln Grade School Ext. Front - 1923-1972 - 315 E. Bigger (second of three, first was Maple St. School 1887-1922). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Maple Street School - Lincoln Grade School Ext. Front - 1923-1972 - 315 E. Bigger (second of three, first was Maple St. School 1887-1922). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

It had 16 rooms and an auditorium. Grace Eastman was principal. This school served for 49 years. The fourth photo shows one of the well-used student classrooms with desks.

Maple Street School - Lincoln Grade School Int. Classroom with Desks - 1923-1972 - 315 E. Bigger (second of three, first was Maple St. School 1887-1922). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Maple Street School - Lincoln Grade School Int. Classroom with Desks - 1923-1972 - 315 E. Bigger (second of three, first was Maple St. School 1887-1922). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1972, the current Lincoln Elementary school was constructed on the same property. The fifth photo shows that school building today, now 52 years old.

Maple Street School - Lincoln Elementary School - 315 E. Bigger - Nov. 3, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Maple Street School - Lincoln Elementary School - 315 E. Bigger - Nov. 3, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In May 2023, the school board voted to close Lincoln and merge it with McCandless for the 2024 school year because of the lack of teacher applications. Currently, Lincoln Elementary is preschool only.

To purchase a photo print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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