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The first school in this plot was a small white wooden frame school. It was constructed in 1902 by Jerry Cain and formally named by the school board during the August 1902 meeting as the South Side School. The first day of school was held on Tuesday, September 2, 1902. Only grades 1 and 2 were taught at South Side School. Children attending were only those living south of the main track of the Northern Pacific railroad.
In an attempt to meet the needs of a growing student population, an addition to this schoolhouse was constructed in 1904.
The August 31, 1905 issue of the Yellowstone Monitor, a local pioneer newspaper, posted the first notice for bids to construct a 2-story, 4-roomed brick schoolhouse. Separate bids would be taken for the installation of a heating plant, a ventilating system, and all plumbing needs of this building. All proposals were to be in strict accordance with the plans and specifications of the architect, J. G. Link of Billings, Montana. This notice was printed by the order of the board of trustees of School District Number 1 of Dawson County Montana. The clerk was H. J. Halvorsen, and the chairman was Henry Dion.
The October 26, 1905 issue of the Dawson County Review states that the contract to build the structure was awarded to W. T. Perham of Butte, Montana for the sum of $15,825.00. The board called for some changes in the original plan, one being the use of Dickinson brick for face trimmings on three sides of the building. This brick would improve the building's appearance. Bids for the ventilating system were received, but all were rejected.
William Lindsay, a member of the school board at that time, was assured by officials in Helena that the land on which to build the new school, a 5-acre tract in the state school section, could be purchased for $250 per acre.
The school superintendent at this time was Professor Butler. He taught zoology and physics to the high school students. He must have been musically inclined because a Sunday School Rally for the Methodist Episcopal Church lists him in their October 1905 program as performing a piano solo.
In its May 24, 1906 issue, the Dawson County Review, another pioneer newspaper, reported the formal naming of the local schools. The North Side School would henceforth be the Washington and the South Side School the Lincoln. This action marks the schools as prominent landmarks of the city.
A comment in the December 6, 1906 issue of the Yellowstone Monitor claims the new brick schoolhouse as "a model of comfort and mechanical ingenuity." The Glendive student enrollment in December 1906 was 338.
Lincoln Elementary School was assigned its first principal in 1913. It was a young woman by the name of Lucille A. D. Hennigar. She would prove to be a very valuable person to the Glendive School District and to the city of Glendive during the next forty years.
In October of 1924 Fred Volkert, a Glendive citizen much involved with the town's upbuilding, donated his shares of stock in the Eastern Montana Light and Power Company, the local light and power utility of the time. According to the Yellowstone Monitor, issue October 30, 1924, these shares were assigned to the school board in a trust. The annual earnings from these shares were to be donated to a milk fund, so that the children would have available to them "good wholesome fresh milk during the school hours."
An article in The Dawson County Review, issue April 8, 1943, reports that the income generated from the Volkert fund has been used to supply milk to underprivileged children, purchase eyeglasses, pay for tonsillectomies, and to pay part of the county nurse's salary. This fund remains available today.
Sometime around 1919, a 2-story brick addition was built onto the eastern side of Lincoln School. This addition contained 8 classrooms, lavatories, gymnasium, shop, and a storage room. (News articles detailing this addition have yet to be located, but an article in the Dawson County Review dated December 28, 1950 makes reference to it.)
The March 19, 1931 issue of The Dawson County Review informs us that the original wooden frame schoolhouse had been torn down. It was decided that the remaining hole be filled in. The board of trustees agreed to plant trees and shrubbery around the present building, but in June of 1934 an architect from Billings recommended that all shrubs and flowers be removed from near the buildings and a concrete curtain replace them. This was suggested as a measure to prevent moisture from penetrating the foundation.
In December 1950 the school board trustees formally decided to enlarge both the Lincoln and Washington schools. The basis for this decision was the severe overcrowding at both schools.
Eventually the plans of Architects Cushing and Terrell of Billings were chosen. The bond limit to complete these projects was just under $600,000. The effects of these plans on Lincoln School involved demolition of the old 1906 section and building what is now the primary wing, office, kitchen and lunchroom/multipurpose room. An upper section included two classrooms and a library. The dedication ceremony for these additions was held in February 1954.
The second principal of Lincoln School was Francis Larson. He served from 1951-1954.
Our third principal was Robert H. Berge, serving from 1955-1961.
A visit from the Fire Chief in June 1959 resulted in the installation of a steel fire escape that would conform to the fire laws.
Over the years, remodeling projects have taken place. One project, prompted by energy conservation, led to the removal of many of the large windows in the multipurpose room and classrooms. Smaller windows are now in place.
In 1961 Lincoln School welcomed its third principal. He was George Nelson, and he served until 1968.
Mr. William D. Kelly was our school's fifth principal. He administrated from 1968-1991.
The most recent addition to Lincoln School is the present gymnasium, completed in 1973 by Aldinger Construction, a local company. This addition is named the "Lefor Addition" in honor of Frank B. Lefor who was the Lincoln School head custodian from 1928-1969. Dedication ceremonies were held on November 2, 1973. This new addition made it possible for the upstairs library to be converted into classrooms and the library moved into the old gym, where it is presently located.
Our sixth and current principal is Donald P. Idso. He became our administrator in 1991.
The playground area of Lincoln Elementary has received updating as well. Currently we have a large woodchip play area that is bordered on one side by a grassy plot and an asphalt basketball and kickball game area on the other. The hard work and determination of our school's PTA has helped to achieve some of our playground improvements such as the jungle gym, the glider, and spacious shelter.
Classes continue
at Lincoln Elementary School under the guidance of a talented faculty
and principal.
The author of this article wishes to thank the staff of the Glendive Public Library for their assistance in compiling the information used in this article. A special thank you to T. S. for showing me where the newspaper archives are located, how to find articles indexed by library volunteers, and how to use the microfilm machine. My gratitude goes to the volunteers who read those old newspapers and index the information on cards so that people, such as myself, can more efficiently complete their research.
A note of thanks is also extended to the staff at the Frontier Gateway Museum for their assistance in locating old photographs of Lincoln Elementary School.
To the City Clerk and Recorder, thank you for confirming the block location of our school.
A final note of thanks goes to the secretary, janitors, and principals of Lincoln who helped in various ways to make this history project of our school as complete as possible.
We create history
everyday, sometimes through small deeds and other times through large
ones. May our choices lead society in positive directions, and may our
efforts be inspiring to future generations.