Bay City Public Schools history

The Indian Mission at Kawkawlin, built in 1847, served for some years as school for the early settlers of that vicinity and the more ambitions of the red children of the forest.

By 1854 the township of Hampton required better school facilities for 160 children of school age then enrolled and the Adams street school was built to seat 300 pupils.

From that time of the first attempt at printing a local paper in 1856, when Hon.

In 1866 another school was opened on McKinley avenue and Adams street, seating 120, with every place filled.

The union School District of Bay City was incorporated March 20, 1867.

Out of 300 enrolled children of school age, 180 attended on January 27, 1868, when A. L. Cummings began his labors as superintendent.

In 1872 Henry S. Dow, publisher of the first authentic history of Bay City, established the Lumberman’s Gazette, which proved a prosperous publication until the lumber industry declined in these parts.

Prior to 1874 no use had been made of this fund in Bay County, and a considerable sum had accumulated in the county treasury.

A more commodious and modern school building replaced it in 1875, when M. R. Hartwell began his duties, which extended over more than a quarter of a century in the same school.

The first board of trustees constituted under the act above referred to, entered upon its duties May 26, 1877.

The Freie Presse, an independent German weekly, was started by G. Reuther in 1878, and through many vicissitudes is still active and prosperous under the able management of August Lankenau, with David Koch as city editor.

The Evening Press was established in 1879 by Moran & Hardwick and later purchased by E.T. Bennett.

In 1880 E. T. Bennett, took charge and named it the Evening Press.

Then as now, the Democrats have found it difficult to sustain an official organ, for in April, 1881, they put the Morning Call into the field, with Bert Moran as chief typo, Leonard Cline, manager, and C. S. Wilson, city editor.

The library was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed March 13, 1883.

In June of that year Miss Jennie Gilbert became librarian and held the office until she was succeeded by Miss Julia A. Robinson in 1884.

The West Bay City Times died an infant of three months in 1886.

On January 1, 1887, Archibald McMillan began his 15 years of devoted work on the city’s leading evening daily, years of usefulness to the community, not soon to be forgotten.

Catalogue of the West Bay City Schools, 1888 contains list of students and teachers.

In December, 1890 the venerable Archibald McMillan allied himself with the younger daily, and no stronger combination ever existed on the local field of pen and type, than Editor McMillan, and Reporter “Bert” Gustin, as he is popularly known throughout Michigan.

The Bay City Times Publishing Company was organized in 1891, and the Evening Times consolidated with the Evening Press.

Public Schools of Bay County Commencement 1893 Auburn Section

In the spring of 1898 it was removed to its present permanent quarters in the City Hall, and was opened to the public on April 10th of that year.

The largest circulation of any year was in 1902-03 when more than 79,000 volumes were issued.

John A. Stewart’s report for the year ending June 30, 1903, enumerated 11 school houses, the value of the school property, including the Fitzhugh site, being given as $326,500, without any bonded indebtedness.

During the month of March, 1905, the Evening Times had a bona fide paid circulation of 8,462 copies daily.

Bay County Teachers - 1917 Those teachers paying the required Teacher's Institute Fee for the year 1917.

THE CENTRAL MICHIGAN NORMAL SCHOOL AT MT. PLEASANT BY: Claude S. Larzelere, M. A. (Department of History & Civics) Michigan History Magazine, July 1919, Volume 3 History of the founding of the school.

On March 27, 1922, Central High School opened its doors on both the east and west sides of the river.

Bay City Junior College 1923 "The Crucible"

Bay City Junior College 1924 "The Crucible" History of the Class and Class Photos

Central Michigan Normal School, August Commencement, 1925

Central High School 1926 "The Centralia"

Central High School 1928 "The Centralia"

Central High School 1932 "The Centralia"

Fortieth Anniversary Commencement Program Central State Teachers College, June Twenty-four, 1935

History of The Bay City Schools Bay City Times,February 28, 1937 Centennial Edition

The current "Explore" wing was added in the 1950's.

The "new" gymnasium was constructed for the junior college in 1957, and the art and band wings were also additions to the structure.

Another major change occurred in 1973, when a science wing, second gym and replacement swimming pool were all added, as well as new stairways that met updated fire codes.