Bluff City High School History

Bluff City High School existed from 1926 when 3 students graduated, until 1967 when 4 students graduated. During this time some 398 students graduated from Bluff City. The largest classes to graduate were the classes of 35' and 37'. Both had 16 students. The class of 1946 was the midway class of Bluff City High School both in years the school existed and in the number of students graduated.

The following was reproduced from a 1935 high school annual provided by the family of Charlie Jelinek. The 1935 annual was apparently the first published, as it contained a list of graduates and their photographs from 1926 through 1935. Additional information on the history of Bluff City, the schools, families and local items of interest may be found in Bluff City Centennial 1886-1986 compiled by Lavern Marks. A copy of this pamphlet is in the Anthony, Kansas Public Library. The Anthony Library has other items of interest, including the Bluff City newspaper on microfilm.

"While our Grade School has always been efficient above average a need of a higher education was apparent at an early period in the history of the town.

Forty-five years ago, James Glover, the first settler, noticed that some of the best of the citizens moved away to give their children the benefit of a higher learning. They seldom came back and the thought came to him, "Why" not a Township High School".

In the fall of 1890 he corresponded with our Rep. Geo. Coulson who had been elected on the Alliance Ticket. He thought well of the plan and prepared a bill to introduce it down to his Alliance Constituents for their approval.

In 1903 he induced Sen. T.A. Noftzgar to draw up a bill in accordance with his plans. This bill was introduced and passed may be found in Session Laws of 1903, Page 691 Chp. 452 and page 693 Chp. 453.

This bill authorized Stohrville Township to establish and maintain a High School and did not apply to any other township in the State. Two years later he had our Rep. W.M. Moore introduce a bill making it state wide and it was approved.

James Glover can rightfully be called the "Father" of the Stohrville Township High School.

It is an honor that a citizen of our own town, conceived and had enacted the Law under which our splendid High School was established in the year 1925.

The founders of Bluff City had dreams of a population of 10,000. It did rise to about 1000. Then the railroad shops and roundhouse moved to Anthony and the opening of the Cherokee strip caused us to lose a large portion of our population. A great part of the business section was destroyed by fire.

Through it all the people have kept the faith and it can be said without contradiction, that the town set upon a hill, far above the Summit of the Ancient Nemaha Mountains, on the arch that bears its name, is the best little town in the world."