Farragut community School
In 1855 a log cabin located at Manti, two and one-half miles east of Farragut served as the first school. Eighty students and two teachers attended.
In 1873 a one-room schoolhouse was built in town, to support the growth in the area.
A naval hero of Mobile Bay, Admiral David Farragut had led to the renaming of the town. The school followed the tradition and admiration of Admiral Farragut by choosing the name Admirals along with the naval theme for all events. Education has been important since the beginning of the town.
In 1880, the second schoolhouse built was a two-story brick structure, 30 feet by 50 feet with two extra rooms for growth. A large assembly room was used for school functions and public entertainments. Three teachers were hired under the supervision of C. Hamilton the principal. The first high school student graduated in 1889. In 1909 an addition was built to the schoolhouse consisting of a larger assembly room and more recitation and classrooms. The school continued its growth with addition of teachers including its first music teacher. The Farragut School Board voted to furnish caps and gowns for the 1916 commencement.
Farragut was consolidated with the rural area in 1918. The school building was re-shingled and plumbing for city water was installed. Trucks and drivers were paid $175-$185 per month to transport rural district students to town.
The district began organizing its first girls’ basketball team under the newly formed Girls’ Athletic Association. The “Farragut Follies” were started at school during the early years of the 1920’s, and a boys glee club was formed. Herschel Whitehill played the lead in the junior play “Deacon Cubbs” performed in the City Hall. The new superintendent in 1925, Clarence C. Buerkens, developed the first yearbook. He continued as superintendent for nine years. The SEFF 4H Club was started that year but was called the Fisher Pig Club. The girls club, called the Pollyanna’s was started as well and later changed to the Fisher Loyal Workers in 1934. The junior class held a carnival to earn money for class rings, and an indoor basketball court was used in the A.D. Coleman drugstore building for the next five years. A newspaper was published by the school called the “Crow’s Nest”. The school colors were changed to deep blue and white, and the yearbook was named “The Admiral”. A school orchestra was started and the high school enrollment by 1927 was 84. Mrs. Cecile Cox was hired at this time and continued to be a longtime school employee. By the latter part of this decade, the school was consolidated again and in 1929 bonds were sold to purchase land and erect a new school building. The bricks from the old school building were used to build some homes in town which are still standing today. The present building was built in 1929 with the north addition and gymnasium added in 1963-64.
Six-man football was introduced in the high school in August 1937. The girls’ basketball teams of 1936 and 1937 were in the state basketball tournament. Thelma Acord was placed on the First All-State Basketball team, and Ruth Ryan and Janette Stewart were members of the third team. The coach, Ted J. Reith wrote the present words to the school song to accompany the music of “Anchors Aweigh”. He later spoke to the Community Club in 1970 which honored the girls’ basketball team which went to the state tournament. Mrs. Enos Warner was hired during this time to teach 5th grade in the school. Band Mothers was organized and raised over 400 dollars for band uniforms.
In 1942, Dale Hackett, a first-year teacher, coached the Admirals to a successful season and in 1943 won the sectional baseball championship. New lights were installed at the baseball/football fields in 1947. The field was later named Hackett Field in memory of Dale Hackett, coach and teacher for 25 years. He was voted Southwest Iowa Coach of the Year for his undefeated football team.
Several longtime teachers started their careers in the late 40’s. They include Harold Penwell; Dale Hackett; Mildred (Beam) Elliott; Zoe (Walters) Young; and Loree Hogsett. Lyle Latimer was principal and Orin Mann served as superintendent during this time.
The Vocational-Agriculture building is named for Harold Penwell who started the Stoney Point FFA Chapter and taught at the school for 25 years.
Mrs. Margaret Thomas was hired as a reading specialist to teach the first remedial reading class in Southwest Iowa. Harold Dinsmore was hired to teach sciences.
The school band won the top rating at the Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree in Clarinda under the direction of Merrill Howery.
During the mid-sixties Greg Shearer was named a semi-finalist on the National Merit Scholarship. Max Livingston was hired as a new junior high teacher and Fred Long retired as school board secretary after serving 43 years. F. M. Herring was superintendent of the school and Leo Humphrey became principal after several years teaching. Max Livingston became the junior high principal that year and Mildred (Beam) Elliott was the elementary principal.
The school bond issue of 1961 was for a high school addition and passed by one vote. The $420,000 would build a new gymnasium, music classrooms and high school classrooms which would be added to the original 1929 building. (see NOTE)
October 10, 1963, the Farragut band won top rating at the Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree held in Clarinda.
November 6, 1969 the annual Corner Conference Vocal Festival was held in Farragut with over 500 participants.
Farragut basketball girls went to the state tournament several times and were State Champions in 1971.
Commencement activities were held at the open-air city park pavilion until 1929 when it was moved to the gymnasium. Now graduation ceremonies are held in the Plummer Gymnasium, named for Leon Plummer, long-time girls’ basketball coach.
The school library is named in memory of Helen Limbacher and dedication was acknowledged by her granddaughter Erika Limbacher during her graduation in 1992. Helen served the district 32 years.
Imogene became a part of Farragut School District in 1941, and Riverton in 1964, forming Farragut Community School District. The largest class to graduate, 1965, had 55 members.
The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) was formed with projects planned to benefit the students of Farragut. Summer ball and recognition programs started the list of projects.
The Alumni Banquet is held each year on the fourth Saturday in June.
School enrollment for 1995-96 is 388.
Source: “Thumbprints in Time” – Fremont County, Iowa 1996
NOTE: The election for this ballot issue was held on May 3, 1962. The closeness of the vote led to a legal challenge which lasted until May 7, 1963 when the Supreme Court of Iowa in Frakes v. Farragut Community School District, ruled in favor of the Farragut Community School District. The court records reveal that 752 ballots were counted with 455 (60.5%) in favor and 297 (39.5%) against. The 60% threshold for passage required 452 votes in favor. (information by Dwight Durfey - FHS ’71)