School History

	The Beginning: Schools and education have been alive in the Simsboro area since 1855 when James Monroe Sims converted a log stage commissary into a one room school. J. L. Moore became the first teacher. Between 1855 and 1880, the Simsboro School relocated twice, first to the Walnut Creek community one mile north of the present town and next to an old abandoned mill house. Mrs. Loula Hays was instrumental in establishing this school. In 1888 the Simsboro Academy School was established and it became the first public school in the newly established Lincoln Parish. The school was run by Mr. Lindsey from Ohio. In 1904, the school achieved another milestone by becoming the first state accredited high school in Lincoln Parish. After 1904, several additions were added to the two-story Victorian structure.
	"We were well grounded in mathematics through geometry and trig., three years of Latin, history (ancient and modern), geography and literature. Spelling was taught right through the senior year. There were no cases of 'Johnny can't read in our day.' On Friday afternoon classes were suspended and we had 'society.' Students gave readings and debates. Students walked perhaps three miles to school in all types of weather."
	Through the Years: The 1900 structure was to serve as the high school until 1912 when a modern brick building was erected only to burn some years later causing the classes of the school to meet in the Baptist and Methodist churches for a time."On Sunday afternoons the young folks would walk to the 'springs' near the railroad east of town. There were beech trees along the banks of the springs, and intertwined hearts were carved into almost every tree trunk."In 1931 an auditorium was constructed and dedicated in 1933. The present main building was erected in 1947 with a new gym and cafeteria added in 1965.
	The Present:In 1978 an "L" wing high school annex was added to the 1947 structure and in 1986 a multi-million dollar elementary complex, agriculture shop, library, and multi-purpose building were added together with addition to cafeteria and remodeling of the older buildings.

For more information and current happenings with this wonderful school, go to: http://simsboro.lincolnschools.org

If anyone has details or statistics on the most current changes and additions, please EMAIL me.

(History and pictures courtesy of Simsboro High School Website.)