The Stevens building received its present name, January 10, 1876, by resolution of the board, “in honor of the great defender of the common school system,” Thaddeus Stevens. Prior to that date it was known as the Newtown school.
Stevens School Early Drawing
On the 5th of May, 1857, the township school board decided to purchase lots No. 8 and 4 in block No. 61 from C. P. and B. C. Helfenstein, and on the 19th of June it was resolved to build. A building tax of sixteen hundred dollars was levied, June 26th; the contract was awarded, July 13, 1857, to Benjamin McClow at his bid of eighteen hundred twenty-five dollars, and the work was prosecuted under the direction of Messrs. John and Shipp, building committee. For various reasons this location was not found to be entirely suitable, and on the 5th of June, 1869, the building and grounds were sold to Henry Morgan for five hundred dollars.
Stevens School
Frederick S. Haas, Withington Lake, and M. Emes, a committee of the board, reported in favor of a new location, June 4th; on the 1st of July, 1869, the contract was awarded Joseph E. Thompson at his bid of twenty-two hundred seventy-five dollars, and the building was erected agreeably to plans prepared by Daniel Yost. It was completed in August, 1870, and with extra work the entire cost was twenty-three hundred fifty-six dollars, ninety-five cents.
Stevens School Early Photo
Stevens School circa 1920’s
An addition to this building, similar to that erected at the Penrose building in the previous year, was authorized by the board, July 12, 1875, and a week later Messrs. Schwartz, John, and Robins were appointed a building committee. The work was done by R. S. Aucker under contract for the sum of twenty-seven hundred ninety-five dollars. As again enlarged in 1887 this building comprises eight rooms, in which four intermediate and four primary schools are taught. It is located on Third street at the corner of Spruce.
Education and community development have always been interdependent. The early pioneers’ awareness of this is attested to by the fact that the fourth building erected in the community was a one-story frame schoolhouse situated along the old Indian Trial on East Dewart Street. John Boyd and Ziba Bird opened the first free school in this building, and Abia John of Shamokin Township was the first schoolmaster, receiving the munificent sum of eighteen dollars for a three-month term of instruction, including janitorial duties.
During the summer of 1839, The Central School, a two-story brick structure, was erected at the present site of the Washington School building. The building was also utilized for many civic and social function of the time.
Old Academy Building between 8th & Grant Streets First Home of the Shamokin High School (Photo courtesy of Tom Kutza)
The Original Academy (First Shamokin High School Building). Part of the Second Shamokin High School (Academy) can be seen in the upper left corner of the picture. The Original Academy School Building was torn down and the Third Shamokin High School was built on the property in 1914 & Dedicated in 1915. A Tunnel joined the Second and Third High Schools. In 1963, a second tunnel was added. (Photo courtesy of Tom Kutza)
In 1852 enterprising residents of Lutheran faith sought to establish a university. After forming a corporation, stocks were sold and bonds were issued in the hopes of fulfilling their vision. A building was erected on the later site of the Shamokin High School on Arch Street. However, the project was not approved by the Susquehanna Synod. Dr. J. J. John, historian, stated that it was due to “the jealousy of other communities, particularly Selinsgrove”. Thus, the Academy stood unfinished for five years and was finally purchased by the Shamokin School District on March 14, 1864.
Second Shamokin High School Academy (Erected 1894). Part of the Original Academy (First High School) can be seen in the right side of the photo.
1907 – The Academy (Second Shamokin High School). Part of the Original Academy (First High School) can be seen in the right side of the photo.
During the same year, Shamokin became a borough, and the following year adopted a separate school district. During the lengthy period of peace, prosperity, and increasing population following the Civil War, the Shamokin School District erected the following buildings to meet the needs of the community: the Washington Grade School – 1880, the Garfield Grade School 1888, the Lincoln Grade School –1890, the Shamokin Academy (or old High School) – 1894, and the Grant and Stevens Grade Schools in 1895. The Old Academy (previously intended Lutheran University) was razed in to make way for a new Shamokin High School, which was dedicated in 1915.
The 3rd Shamokin High School was built on the same location as the 1st Shamokin High School Academy. The Building was dedicated in 1915.
The 3rd Shamokin High School (between 8th & Grant Streets with main entrance on Arch St. was built in 1914. A sliver of the 2nd High School Academy can be seen in the lower right of the photo. The Academy was originally connected to the 3nd High School by an above-ground tunnel. A second tunnel was added in 1963.
In 1958, Shamokin dedicated a new building, referred to as the Shamokin High School Annex, on a site bounded by Arch, Seventh, Lincoln, and Anthracite Streets. This modern two-story brick building housed the administrative offices of the district, the home economics department, the vocational shops, and the physical education department which features a gymnasium that seats sixteen hundred people. The old gymnasium in the high school on Arch Street was converted into a modern cafeteria.
In 1958, Shamokin dedicated a new building, referred to as the Shamokin High School Annex, on a site bounded by Arch, Seventh, Lincoln, and Anthracite Streets. This modern two-story brick building housed the administrative offices of the district, the home economics department, the vocational shops, and the physical education department which features a gymnasium that seats sixteen hundred people. The old gymnasium in the high school on Arch Street was converted into a modern cafeteria.
The Shamokin Annex dedicated March 25, 1957
The Shamokin School District Community was later expanded and currently includes the City of Shamokin and the Townships of Coal, East Cameron and Shamokin. It is located at the southern end of the anthracite coal region in Northumberland County in central Pennsylvania with a population of approximately 21,000. The district has very active sports programs and excellent music programs that gain community support and provides students avenues to post high school educational opportunities. Over the past two years, the community has given the district a very viable asset through the establishment of a career center, which includes a branch campus of Luzerne County Community College, which is located in the old High School on Arch Street, as well as an arts and cultural center. The district is also the co-recipient of a PEARL, GEAR-UP grant that targets junior high school students and their families with career exploration, tutorial help, and awareness of post high school educational opportunities.
Present Shamokin Area Joint High School following the merger of the Shamokin & Coal Township School Districts. The School stands on the former grounds of the Edgewood Park Swimming Pool & Lake.
The Shamokin Area School District is composed of three buildings: the junior-senior high school, the elementary school, and the elementary annex. The district also maintains an extensive outdoor athletic complex. The junior-senior high school, housing grades 7 through 12, was constructed in 1973-1975. The multi-floor building houses a 1280 seat auditorium, a 3000 seat gymnasium, and a regulation pool with spectator seating. This building was renovated in 1995-1996 to provide additional classroom space to accommodate grades 7 and 8. The building’s HVAC system was renovated in this project, and modifications were made to meet ADA regulations. The additions and renovation were needed due to the closure and subsequent sale of the district’s aging middle school building. The former middle school building was sold to a county agency at the conclusion of the renovation project in 1996. It is currently being used by the county as a career development and arts center.
Shamokin High School – Baseball & Football Stadiums – Edgewood 4/18/94 (Image courtesy U.S. Geology Survey)
The elementary school was constructed in 1980, and houses grades 1 through 6. It is also the home of several special needs classes administered by the local intermediate unit (IU16). The building’s HVAC system was renovated in 1990.
The elementary houses a large combination auditorium/gymnasium, a tiered-seating vocal music classroom, a band and orchestra suite, and a library.
The elementary annex building was constructed 1959 as a vocational education facility for the district. This building was recently renovated to meet ADA regulations and houses grades K4 (kindergarten for four-year-olds) and K5 kindergarten. The building also houses administrative offices and a large gymnasium to provide accommodations for additional athletic activities.
Shamokin Area High School Kemp Memorial Football Stadium
Shamokin Indians – Kemp Memorial Football Stadium
Kemp Memorial Stadium is a large football and track complex with a seating capacity of 6000, with lighting for night games. The outdoor athletic complex also features practice fields, a baseball field, and a soccer stadium. The athletic facilities of the district are utilized heavily not only by the home teams, but also by various league organizations for hosting playoff games and events. A well-equipped weight room and athletic training facilities are located in the junior-senior high.
Both the secondary and elementary schools have extensive libraries, and participate in the Access Pennsylvania system. A mini-library is available at the annex building with holdings from the elementary library that are age appropriate for students located in the building. Library automation and circulation software is used in both libraries, with networked computers and printers for use by students and faculty.
A large fiber based LAN, on the main campus of the district, serves the district administrative offices, the elementary school, and the junior-senior high school. A LAN is also present in the elementary annex building. Plans for a WAN connection to link the two district LANs are being developed. The district aggressively pursues federal and state grant monies to fund infrastructure expansion into all classrooms. A closed-circuit television distribution system is also provided for the elementary and secondary buildings, with access points in every classroom. All television programming originates from a sophisticated television studio in the junior-senior high school, and includes digital video production equipment.
Construction began on the new elementary building June 6, 1977. Occupancy took place September 1979 for the 1979-1980 school term. The cost of the building was approximately $5.8 million dollars.
Mr. Frank VanDevender was the superintendent of schools when construction began At the time of occupancy Dr. Daniel Witmer was superintendent. Thomas Sanders was the elementary principal at the time.
Serving residents of Coal Township, East Cameron Township, Shamokin City and Shamokin Township, the school has a present capacity for 1,450 students.
The school includes forty-five Regular Class Rooms, three Special Education Rooms, five Kindergarten Classrooms, an Art Room, a Music Suite, Forum (three group instruction), Cafeteria, Multi-Purpose Room,. (Gymnasium-Auditorium), Locker-Shower Rooms, Administrative Suite, Health & Dental Facilities, two Faculty Rooms, a beautiful Library, Remedial Reading Rooms, Remedial Math Area, Teacher Workrooms in each Wing, six C.S.I.U. Special Education Rooms, and a C.S.I.U. Administrative Suite which includes a Conference Room.
When the Shamokin Elementary School was constructed, space was made available for Special Education Classes. These included both District and Intermediate Unit Special Education Programs. The classroom space in the Intermediate Unit Wing was designed to accommodate the special needs of the students.
Since the construction, the Intermediate Unit has operated six programs for students who come from Shamokin as well as other School Districts. Mainstreaming into regular classes has been available to all students. Between classes operated by Shamokin District and the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, the staff is able to provide appropriate educational programs for special-needs students.
The enrollment in 1987 was 1,185 students and the staff consisted of:
Principal: Mr. Sylverter Schicatano Assistant Principal: Mrs. John Bixler Secretary: Mrs. Charolette Kline Secretary: Mrs. Janet Raker Green Thumb: Mrs. Marie Broskey
