Midlothian High School through the decades. Revisiting Midlo's History: the 40's-60's

A school's yearbook is not just a memorable token purchased at the end of each school year, filled endlessly in classmate's signature. Instead, it's a collection of countless hours, days, and months of unforgettable memories combined into one precious keepsake. A yearbook is not only a look back into student's lives, but into a completely different time.

Collecting dust behind the scenes of Midlothian High School’s library are nearly one-hundred yearbooks ranging from the 1940's all the way to the present year. Some contain hand-glued pictures and even typewritten pages. Each yearbook provides a record of what Midlothian High School was, and still is. Join us as we uncover and debunk some of the biggest known myths, practices and events throughout Midlothian High School.

However, the history of Midlothian High School goes far beyond the books. In fact, in 1911, Midlothian High School (today Midlothian Middle School), was only a two-story, wood framed schoolhouse with four classrooms. The cost of building was about $3,400.

Citizens of Midlothian were eager to open a new schoolhouse and got right to funding. Many helped by hosting picnics or by selling pencils on the train.

On opening day in 1911, the schoolhouse had a total enrollment of twenty-five students ranging from first grade through eleventh, along with three total teachers.

In 1923, populations grew, and Midlothian High School had a graduating class of three students. That same year, a newer schoolhouse made of bricks, along with five rooms and an auditorium were constructed. This was the start of Midlothian High School as we know it.

Since the 1910’s, the brick schoolhouse has undergone several changes and additions. The original wooden schoolhouse was torn down, along with the horse stables, which housed the school’s horses and horse-drawn buses.

Nearly thirty years after Midlothian High School’s opening, in 1938, the first yearbook staff, the Trojan Trumpet, was created, and likewise, the first yearbook was printed.

The library club in 1948, known today as book club, was dedicated to reading and discussing literary masterpieces.

Midlothian High School's choir dressed head to toe in dark blue gowns while singing from their lyric books.

The 1948 forensic club, known today as speech and debate club, practiced the art of public speaking.

Glee club, known commonly today as show choir, performed several one-act plays and helped produce the senior play for Midlothian High School students in 1948.

Home Economics proved to be a popular class in the 1940's. Students were taught the basics of cooking, sewing, money managing, and street smarts.

In the 40's and throughout the 50's, many students were eager to become involved at school. Many became involved in clubs, sports, and other extra curricular activities. Many joined Beta Club, which is similar to today's Honor Society. Many also found interest in other clubs such as Future Business Leaders of America, Glee Club, and the Thespian Society, similar to theater.

Before there were high-tech projectors in classrooms like there are today, Midlothian High School's Projector Club dedicated their time to manning the projectors in order to display movies and pictures for the school.

Before a digital version of the school's newspaper, students received their weekly news via the Trojan Trumpeter, a newspaper run by 16 young journalists.

Even the younger elementary classes who were attending the high school decided to get involved. Many joined the Junior Red Cross, which taught students how to "notice, think, and act" in the everyday world.

Moving into the 50's, the era of polka dot dresses and black leather jackets, Midlothian High School's student population grew even more. The High School had a growing list of clubs, activities and sports.

The Trojan Trumpeters adapted to new typewriters for their newspaper, and the staff grew nearly by half.

Midlothian High School also attained its first baseball team in the 50's.

Along with their first football team.

Come spring, students were able to elect their homecoming court, a huge deal for students at the time.

For the homecoming parade, students would also decorate their cars with flashy ribbons and colorful balloons, much like they do today.

One of the most anticipated moments of the school year was homecoming weekend. After the sun went down, students would gather on the school fields and host the annual homecoming bonfire, a true Midlothian tradition.

Student's gather and celebrate the year with the annual homecoming bonfire.

Students danced, sang, and roasted s'mores over the towering bonfire. However, the tradition of the homecoming bonfire became short-lived, and hasn't been practiced for several decades.

Ironically, a few years later in 1960, Midlothian High School installed its first fire extinguishers.

Some students of Midlothian High School had begged and pleaded for a golf team throughout the 60's. In 1966, their wish came true after the school decided to sponsor a golf team, which had about 6 players.

If students weren't playing football, track, golf, or even field hockey, some may have been spending their time on the school's new bowling league, or playing ping pong on the new state of the art ping-pong tables.

Many students of present day Midlothian Middle School can recall ping pong being a great part of the physical education curriculum. This is due to ping pong officially becoming part of gym class in 1966.

By the end of the 60s, Midlothian High School had grown from a small four classroom building, to a multiple-hallway labyrinth that had a graduating class of 140 in 1960. Students back then enjoyed partaking in many school wide activities and clubs, such as the Spanish Club, Art Club, and Chess Club. For sporty students, Midlo offered track, football, field hockey, and baseball teams to accommodate. For students who grew fond of education, many found the newly added Earth Science class fascinating, along with Clubs like Future Business Leaders of America, The Red Cross, Beta Club, or even Forensic Club.

Much of Midlo's history throughout the 40's is still prevalent at today's Midlothian High School. However, since the 40's, Midlothian High School has adapted from a secluded coal mining town into a quick growing community of Virginians. The original building located off Midlothian Turnpike, has now been converted into Midlothian Middle School, grades 6 through 8. The current Midlothian High School has been relocated off of Charter Colony, and continues in the footsteps of the Midlo legacy. The next article in this series will feature the 70's and 80's and will cover more of Midltohian's deep history.

Created By

Kyle Reeder

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Credits:

Kyle Reeder