A lot has changed

Class of 1956 lots of changes building 8 windows long each grade two sets. First grade was lower right Miss Stout, Miss Williams, Mrs. Summers, Mrs. Preston and Mrs. Burnham (took two trys to get out of 4th. Building was enlarged with rooms on both side of hall, Miss Dirksen 5th Grade, Mrs. Graham (?), Mr. Bennett 7th grade as well as basketball coach. Then Mr. Lang who changed my life. 8th grade was upper left two windows. 7th & 8th grade worked with the janitor Mr. George Miley Studebaker lover. Parking was at far end not out front. Gym was added somewhere around 5th grade.

There was the nearest stage with velvet curtains at one end of the old gym. The locker rooms where under it. The other end was the bleachers. My mom painted the school emblem the South Pekin tornadoes on a board on our kitchen table. Along with banners for all the schools we played. They really turned out nice and looked great up.The PTA (my mom was the President) put on some of the funniest plays in that gym.

Thank you for the wonderful history about this photo. The sign reads South Pekin Grade School. Is this building no longer there today?

Building was still there a couple years ago

The old track we use to run

There is a new gym built over the old track now.

omg! Tho the school seems to have changed since we moved to Kansas in 1953 (my sister says 1954), I do remember the gym. I attended from 1947 to 1953. had Mrs.Stout in 1st grade, Mrs Williams 2nd grade, Mrs Summers 3rd grade, Mrs Preston 4th and 5th grade and Mr Bennett 7th grade. My brother, 2 yrs older was Jan Randolph, sister 3yrs younger Margo Randolph, and brother 4 yrs younger Bruce Randolph. Some of my clAssmates were Marlene Graham, Glenda Emmons, Carol Calico and Mr Bennett's son. I think his name was Stephen, not sure. Love memories of my school in So.Pekin.

South Pekin Grade School, 206 Main Street, South Pekin, Illinois. View looks south.