History
1870: Wright City established the first public school (Built on lots 7 and 8 in block 7.) which was taught by Landon Rummons, a stern, honest and upright man. During the Civil War, at the battle of Vicksburg, Mr. Rummons lost his arm and was carried off by his good friend, Henry Painter. Mr. Rummons was the father of 2 children and practiced law after he discontinued his teaching career. He even served as circuit clerk and recorder of Warren County for a number of years. Before 1870, the children were said to have learned their “3 r’s” in a little subscription school run by Mr. Sexton in what was later known as the old Lyon home. Other sources say that the first school was housed in the main church of Wright City (a Methodist Church of German Descent). Those accounts say that the church was later torched and burned to the ground by Union soldiers during the Civil War.
1905 8th Grade Commencement Program
1906: A new white frame school building was erected northwest of the first school in the location of the current Liberty Christian Academy brick building. Per Wright City News Article, Nov. 12, 1906 was the first day of school in the new building. It included grades 1-8, which were taught by 2 teachers.
1916: Superintendent O.P. Browning was hired to oversee all the township schools.
The Wright City grade school employed 2 teachers and O.P. Browning also taught/tutored 9th grade prior to 1922 (unapproved by the state, but students were allowed to take an examination for entry into 10th grade)
The Wright City grade school employed 2 teachers and O.P. Browning also taught/tutored 9th grade prior to 1922 (unapproved by the state, but students were allowed to take an examination for entry into 10th grade)
Township Schools: These buildings were also used for community affairs. As the townships faded, the small schools hung on well into the 20th century because they still reached the rural school children before school buses became available. In Warren County there have been 62 of these one-room school houses on record. Wright City School District has had several of these schools, some as listed below: Detailed History of Wright City Township Schools and Warren County Teachers 1942-43
- Blattner School- SE of Wright City, located on the NE corner of the intersection of Blattner Road and Stringtown Road.
- Forest Grove- Organized in January 1859. Located south of Wright City on the southern edge of Hickory Grove Township; still documented as active by the Reorganized School District No. 2 in 1950.
- Gibson School- School for African American children- Located on Highway J between Hemphill Road and Godt Rd. This school closed with the final integration into Wright City’s school district in the Fall of 1962.
- Godt Springs School (formerly called Gilkey School)- Northwest of Wright City on Bell Road, approximately ½ mile north of Klausmeier Rd; this building was vacant by 1950 and put up for sale by the Wright City School District.
- Hughes School- Archer Road and South Service Road; this building was vacant by 1950 and put up for sale by the Wright City School District.
- Liberty Grove School- South of Wright City, next to the St. Charles County line; still documented as active by the Reorganized School District No. 2 in 1950.
- Locust Grove School- Located across Bell Road from what is now American Bank. This was possibly the only school here prior to the Civil War.
- Meridian School- Served Warren and St. Charles County students. Much controversy surrounded this district upon the consolidation of schools in 1948. Warren County students from this school were placed in the Blattner School in 1949.
- Oakdale School (formerly called Quincy)- On South Lohman Road; still documented as active by the Reorganized School District No. 2 in 1951, as the district approved the installation of a telephone for the convenience of the superintendent, the teacher and the children waiting for the bus. The monthly bill was to be $0.50.
- Pitts School- Highway M, west of Christmas Tree Farm; still documented as active by the Reorganized School District No. 2 in 1950. On May 3, 1952, the school was to be sold at public auction. That day the contents of the building sold for $44.85, but the high bid of $1,100 for the school house was rejected by the board. However, the board accepted a sealed bid of $1,100 from a Mollie Dillon just a month later.
- Pleasant Hill School- Ranch Road, between State Hwy AA and North Stracks Church Road; still documented as active by the Reorganized School District No. 2 in 1950.
- Rocky Ridge School (formerly known as Schnick School)- Schuetzenground Road, near the Harmonie Church area
- Tuque School- Highway O, west of Links Road; still documented as active by the Reorganized School District No. 2 in 1950.
- Upper Charrette School- In the heart of Innsbrook on the west side of Highway F; this building was vacant by 1950 and put up for sale by the Wright City School District.
- Wide Awake School- Intersection of Highway T&M... also served Warren and St. Charles County students. Warren County students from this school were placed in the Blattner School in 1949, and in 1951 a portion of Wide Awake School District was officially accepted as a new area of the R-II District.
- Wright City’s School- Located where present-day Liberty Christian Academy resides.
- Koelling School- Located in Lincoln County, at Zoar Church and County Farm Road. Annexation into Wright City R-II was approved 15-0 in September 1950.
- Rock Springs School- Located in Lincoln County; annexation into Wright City R-II in 1950 was approved 43-14 in September 1950. In 1951, a petition was presented asking the board to release a certain part of this district north of Big Creek. The proposition failed at the April election 69-217, Another petition was filed in 1952 and also failed at election. In 1952, the R-II School District accepted a bid of $325 for the school from an L.V. Leonard.
Fall 1922: Wright City's first 9th grade class started, thus recognizing the district as a third-class school.
The district hired a new teacher/principal, O.E. Kettlekamp, at a salary of $150 per month, and classes were held in a room at city hall for no rent.
5 students: Forest Strathman, Richard Koopman, Wayne Stoff, Gladys Nieburg & Arline Astroth (17 additional were possibly tutored)
Those 5 students paid tuition of $25 per month, plus the cost of books (with the exception of Wayne Stoff who was hired to be the janitor). Handwritten Account
1923: April 28 bond issue passed 164 to 65 for $3,500 to add 2 rooms to the grade school in order to house the high school classes.
Fall 1923: An additional teacher was added for the first 10th grade class, thus recognizing Wright City as a second-class school
1924: The first 2 year certificates were earned.
1929-1942 and 1943: L.F. Gooch was superintendent, overseeing the school shift to a full 12 grade school and a 1st class school system. His tenure also saw the construction of the school building, built in the late 30’s. (Keep in mind, we were at the height of the great depression at that time). He taught social studies, political science, and mathematics. He also coached both boys and girls basketball teams for many years.
1930: The third high school teacher was added.
1931: The first 12th grade class graduated. Class of 1931 Article
1932: Townships and other districts are charged non-resident tuition for students attending Wright City High School due to state cuts.
1933: The fourth high school teacher was added.
From the 1933 yearbook: The local student body is made up of girls and boys with a wide range of addresses. The following post offices are represented in our directory: Warrenton, Foristell, Wentzville, New Melle, Marthasville, and Wright City. An interesting fact about our school is that 56 students out of the total enrollment of 75 are non-residents- a good sign that we are growing. (Wentzville didn’t become a 12 grade school until 1938)
Oct. 22, 1935: It was decided to build a brick school building with work beginning in June of 1936 and completed in 1937. While they built the new building in the place of the old frame building, classes were held in the educational building at the church next-door (Evengelical & Reformed Church- now Immanuel UCC). According to Ellouise Hasekamp “it was rather hectic getting organized, but there weren’t many students at that time.” Letter from Ellouise Hasekamp
At completion, there were 11 rooms and a basement for a total cost of $25,000. There was no attached gymnasium, but there was a red barn-like building in the field at the northwest corner of the building. A stage was built for performances, and dressing rooms were under that stage. There were 2 giant stoves in 2 corners of the gym and bleachers lining both sides of the room. Above that stage was a chalk scoreboard which had to be well manned during ball games.
1941-1942 Summary of Warren County Schools
1948: A $10,000 bond issue approved to build a vocational agricultural shop. Missouri schools were being consolidated, and all the township schools became part of Wright City R-2 by the fall of 1950.
1951: A gymnasium and soon after, 8 classrooms were added on the north side of the building. It is noted in minutes from 1950 that there were was a brick shortage at the time, making bricks difficult to obtain for the much needed addition. Once complete, the old gymnasium/auditorium was put up for sale in the Warrenton Banner. The old 95 x 50' frame building was to be removed and all debris cleared within a 45-day period. A Mr. Gerdeman of Warrenton purchased the building in January of 1952 for the sum of $1,502.
1958: Gibson School grades 7 & 8 moved to the Wright City School, so there are no longer 8 grades in the 2 room building on Highway J, but 6.
1962: Wright City is integrated and primary grades and cafeteria moved into the metal extension of the brick school building.
1966: Wright City Boys Basketball state champions also received the good sportsmanship award. 1966 Campaign for New High School
1967: Construction began on the Westwoods Road high school. While designed for high school, it housed 3rd-6th grades starting after Christmas of 1967. This $250,000 bond issue built 13 classrooms, a cafeteria and offices.
1970-1971 and 1971-1972 Wright City Boys Basketball (2nd at State in 1971)
1972: A gymnasium was built at the new high school site and the building was utilized as a high school (grades 7-12). Since the school had no more bonding capacity at the time, a non-profit corporation was created and backed by patrons to build the gym. During the build process, the non-profit leased the property or space from the school and kept building costs low. When that gym was completed, they leased the space back to the school and Wright City paid off the 5 year lease in 4 years.
Boys basketball also won 2nd place at state and received the good sportsmanship award.
1987: Boys basketball 4th at State
Fall 1989: The elementary school on Wildcat Drive is complete and equipped for approximately 560 students: 60,000 square feet of classrooms, a library, gymnasium with stage, and a cafeteria.
1993: Baseball 4th at State and Softball State Champs
1994: Baseball 4th at State and Softball State Champs;
A new library, computer lab, and additional classrooms were added on at the high school (520 Westwoods Rd).
2004: Current middle school is built
2007: Current central office built
2009: East Elementary is built
2015: Preschool is built
For more school information, visit wrightcityalumni.com
Yearbooks Teachers & Staff Sports Records Kings & Queens Senior Composites
1993 and 1994 Softball State Champs Photo Gallery
