Extras / History / Webster Union Free School
In 1875 a special meeting authorized construction of Webster's first high school. Land was purchased and within a year the doors of the Webster Union Free School opened to its first students.
The school produced its first 2 graduates, Stella Peacock and George Curtice in 1881.
As the years past the sizes of the classes grew and a large addition to the east side of the original structure was added in 1896 doubling the size of the school. Growth continued and a second addition was added to the south side of the original building in 1903.
By the early 1920's it was apparent a new larger school was needed to meet the needs of Webster and its surrounding communities. In 1925 Webster High School's principal, Edward Spry moved his office, his teachers and students across the street to the new state of the art high school known today as Spry Midddle School.
In 1926, Webster's first high school became the Webster Masonic Hall and served in the capacity for decades.
During the late 1970's the building saw little use and fell into disrepair. Thankfully in 1989 the hall was redeveloped into 17 apartments.
The photo at left was taken in late August of 2007.
Stella Peacock Curtice was one of 2 graduates from the first graduating class of "Old Webster High" in 1881. Her reflections were published in the 1925 Reveille (the last class to graduate from the old high school).
"The first class to graduate from old Webster High consisted of
George Howard Curtice (later my husband and now deceased) and
myself.
Others started with us but dropped out on the way.
The first graduating ceremony was quite an event for the then small village
of Webster. It was held in the baptist church and people came from far
and near until the church was filled to over flowing. There was more
'spread-eagle' and formality than the occasion demanded. I was attired
in my mother's wedding dress, made over for the occasion, and the Queen
of Sheba certainly felt no more gorgeous. I read an essay on Joan of
Arc and the masculine member of the class delivered an oration on the
French Revolution--quite frenchy, you see. There were enough speeches
by various dignitaries of the town to make up for the smallness of the
class. I feel really proud to be the van of the long line of fine boys
and girls who passes through and out of Webster High School."
Stella Peacock Curtice
Stella Peacock Curtice
born May 20, 1863 in Webster,
New York
died November 19, 1951 in Seattle, Wahington
George Howard Curtice
born November 16, 1862 in Webster,
New York
died July 23, 1906 in Spokane, Washington
Ida Dwinnelle
Orin Collins
Merton E. Lewis
Loren Howk
Ida Martin
Charles E. Harris
W.H. Hendee
Nettie Dwinell Scribner
Lillie Spraque
Mary G. Knight
Legendary Preceptress at Webster High School
A. Renwick Middleton
Professor Purdue University
no records found
Samuel Howard Burnett
Veterinarian, Professor at Ithaca College
born November 18, 1869
Burnett's textbook on The Clinical Pathology of the Blood
of Domesticated Animals is still in print.
Molly Campbell (m.n. Weeks)
Martha Middleton (m.n. McKay)
Clara Mandeville
Irving Hill
Byron Hadden
George Myers
George Loeffler
B. Kennedy Williams
Clarence W. McKay (married Martha Middleton, class of '88)
Ernest J. Powers, principal
Ruth M. Loveridge, preceptress
Edgar L. Brundage
F. B. Collins
In conjunction with
the Webster Museum