Madison Public Sch history

The earliest known example of a community-supported school was at Kaukauna in 1828, where the community voluntarily pooled funds to support teacher Electa Quinney.

After Wisconsin became a territory in 1836, lawmakers passed legislation requiring every township with more than 10 families to fund a school.

In 1849, the first full year under the constitution, there were 32,000 pupils in the public schools.

In 1853 Thomas Johnson was president of the Board and at a later date Achilles Scatterday filled the same position.

The first recorded notice that the Board of Education of Wheeling ever took of Island patrons of the public schools was that of March 20, 1856, when an effort was made to have a Third Ward teacher detailed to open a primary school for Island pupils.

A site for the first public school building on the Island was purchased July 29, 1862, for the sum of $275.

Samuel Boyd, one of Wheeling’s most efficient school men, was appointed principal, and served till 1863; afterward he became principal of Webster School.

Prior to 1864 children of the Island had attended public school, first in the Third Ward, and later in the Second Ward.

On July 14, 1865, a plan for the first Island building was adopted; and in August the contract was awarded to Brodie and Hornish for $6,483.54, to be finished in December, Later J. B. and W. B. Lukens took part of the contract.

A. M. Stevenson was appointed principal, and served as such till 1875.

Madison School was closed in June 1968; the building was demolished in 1973, to make way for an expressway. It was reported that the building "is an ornament to that portion of the city." As the community grew, it became necessary to add four more rooms in 1888.

The old Second Ward building was destroyed by fire on January 10, 1893.

J. C. Gwynn was appointed principal in 1897, and under him Madison School kept its place as one of the best schools in the city.

In 1912, this school was replaced by a more modem building of twenty-four rooms and a roof garden.

In 1933-34, a general industrial arts laboratory was installed for sixth grade pupils.