The old Ponce de Leon High School (from yearbook) |
The old Ponce de Leon High School (from painting that hangs in front office) |
The year was 1851 when a small community began to rise out of the wilderness around the intersection of Blue Creek and "Big Sandy," as it was called in those days. This intersection would later become a favorite swimming hole for the children during the summer. Sometimes even during school, boys would slip off for a cool swim at the point where the cool waters of the two creeks mixed.
One of the first schools known to exist was located at the site of the present day First Baptist Church and Masonic Lodge. The old school was in front of and near the street on present highway 81 north.
The building was typical of the times in its construction, in that it sat off the ground on "fat lighterd" blocks used as a foundation. It had two doors which were separated by some distance with high steps up to the doors. The two-story building served as a Masonic lodge upstairs and a school on the first floor.
School terms were 55 to 65 days long and were held at different times. Sometimes during the time when crops were planted and gathered, one could attend school at one community at one time and another at a different time in another community.
The school terms grew from days to 6 months, then 8 months, until it reached the present 9-month term.
In 1881, a contract was made for the construction of the railroad across north Florida. In 1882, the railroad was completed. With the coming of the "Iron Horse," Ponce de Leon began to grow. Sawmills began to spring up and lumber became a major industry of the area. The horse stables of the Green family, the drug store of Mr. A.D. Brown, a barber shop, W.W. Manning's Grocery, Gay Andrews General Mercantile, Fulmar's Grocery, the blacksmith shop, the West Hotel, a post office, and a depot were all established, and people began to build homes around the small town. The Ponce de Leon Bottling Woks began to produce soft drinks of many flavors, with "Caylona" being the main drink.
As disbelieving as it was, Ponce de Leon was one of the very first towns in north Florida to have electric lights. The Carroll family owned and ran a dynamo which generated DC power, which served street lights as well as power to homes. The bottling plant as well as the dynamo were located at the south end of the old wooden bridge that leads to old town, on the west side of the bridge.
Ponce de Leon was experiencing growing pains. This called for a new and better school. In 1919, ten acres of land, believed to have been donated by the Moore family, was chosen as the site to build a new and better Ponce de Leon High School.
Construction began on a brick two-story building which would house four classrooms and an office at ground level. The upper story would be an auditorium with a stage that included rooms on each side. The seats would be elevated from the front to the back with center seats, and aisles on both sides. There would also be seats along the side walls. This auditorium would be used as the town's gathering place, as well as for town meetings. Classes began in this during the 1920-21 school term. The first teachers at Ponce de Leon were Oma Cotton, Mrs. Grant Gafford, and Principal John (Man) Padgett.
The year was early 1927. The day of the one room schoolhouse was fast coming to an end. In the early days, schools were built in and around small communities. Because walking was the best mode of transportation then, children often had to walk miles to school. Sometimes they would stay with family or friends that lived closer to the school.
In 1928, the school board and Superintendent, H.C. Majors, voted to sell bonds in the Ponce de Leon District for acquiring, furnishing, and improving the school at Ponce de Leon. The east and west wings of the school were added. The architect, S.J. Welch, presented sketches to the trustees, but they were disapproved.
Sketches were approved on May 8, 1929, and the construction of two wings was completed by September 15, 1929. When school started, the east wing was not finished, and the first and second grades had to attend classes in what was referred to as the "goat barn" (which was located on the present site of Mr. J.A. Hussey's home directly in front of the old school).
On December 2, 1929, Mr. J.M. Syfret was hired as principal. His salary was $175.00 per month. Ms. Verna Broxson and Nora Davidson were teachers, earning $100 per month. There were three graduates in 1929-30. During the 1930-31 school year, seven students graduated under principal Verna Broxon.
During the 1933-34 school term, the school would get two rooms added to the north end of the east wing, as well as a gymnasium that included one of the first indoor basketball courts in north Florida. These structures would be constructed by the W.P.A. In the 1935-36 school term, Ponce de Leon's school would become the first to receive its FFA chapter. The club's officers were Douglas Farrior (president); Frank Norris (vice president); and Jack Holland (secretary). Mr. Allen Lastinger was the first advisor.
The first school bus was constructed by Mr. Will Scott in the late 1920's. Mr. Scott bought an old chassis and constructed a wooden body. There was a long bench seat down each side of the bus, and a long wide bench seat down the middle of the body. The seats were stuffed with moss from trees. During the 1936 term, Ponce de Leon was given four bus routes. Mr. Will Scott ran the Bridge Creek route; Mr. Tom Padgett ran the Spring Hill route; Mr. J. H. Bullock was assigned the Bunker Hill route; and Mr. Dee Commander covered the Meadow Lane route.
During the1940-41 school term, the first lunch was served in the lunchroom, which was located under the north end of the west wing (the "dungeon"). An ag. shop was built in 1940.
In 1941, the "Pirates" name, entered by Mr. Franklin Conley, was chosen during a mascot contest. In 1941-42, the first known annual was published. (It is possible that earlier ones were printed. If you know of earlier annuals, please let the school know.)
During the following years, these events took place:
1943 - The Leonia School burned. ( It is believed that the school accidentally burned when some students, trying to cook food after a game, spilled some flammable liquid on the floor that ignited when a match was struck. The students ran, and the school burned). Students from the Leonia, Broward, and Darlington areas were transported to PDL. John Baldwin was hired as a teacher, as well as the athletic coach, which offered a supplement of $20 per month. The girls' coach made $10 per month, while the bus drivers were paid $50 per month.
1945 - Students got two weeks off during Christmas holidays.
1946-47 - Three faculty members owned cars, and hogs became a problem that faculty members could not cope with.
1947-48 - PDL got a face-lift. The auditorium was converted into four classrooms and a library. The gym would be used as an auditorium. The arcades became enclosed, and the pot-belly wood heaters began their departure.
1948-49 - Principal Baily was fired during the year. The students went on strike, and he was returned to his job.
1949-50 - Mr. Bob Hope selected the most beautiful girl in PDL. From a group of pictures sent to Mr. Hope by Miss Bobbie Murphy, editor of the annual, he chose Miss Mary Bess Cutts as the most beautiful.
1951 - The FFA boys won the state softball championship.
1952 - Encyclopedias were purchased for the county's schools. Students were allowed to cross the street to purchase snacks at Dennis Owens's store. The FFA boys were state softball champions again.
1954 - Final plans for a new ag. building were approved. A bus wreck killed a PDL student. The first homecoming queen was elected, Miss Martha Johnson.
1956 - Mr. Gerald Commander (PDL alumnus, basketball player, and bus driver) replaced Mr. Grey Wilson as principal. (In the early 60s, Mr. Commander was elected as Holmes County's Superintendent of Schools.) Mr. Wayne Manning was elected to the state legislature. Ronnie Scott taught ag. until the end of the school term. The famous five slipped off to the creek for a swim; Mr. Commander did not take too kindly to this and applied the proper punishment.
1959 - The Pirates were the runners-up for the Class B State Championship in basketball after losing to Southwest Miami, the 10th largest high school in the state of Florida. Mr. Gerald Commander was the coach.
1960 - The girls' basketball team was undefeated. The boys' team went to the state semi-finals. The coaches were Mrs. Teal and Mr. K. P. Jackson.
1961-62 - The first homecoming parade was held.
1964-65 - The new gym was completed.
1970-71 - The boys went to the state basketball semi-finals.
1971-72 - The boys' team won the state championship with an undefeated record of 31-0. This team consisted of Roger Owens; Hilton Galloway; Lonnie Ray Hicks; Roger Arnold; Jerry Commander; Gordon Baxley; Johnnie Galloway; Bobby Holmes; Elvin Matthews; Larry Rushing; and Roger Howard. They were coached by Henry Ray Kent.
1972-73 - The boys went back to the state playoffs. Due to a hockey game the night before and a heavy rain, the game was moved to a local high school. Because of the heavy rain, there were some wrecks on the way to the game and the boys were rattled. It was a close game, but the outcome was not good for the Pirates.
1974-75 - The portable classrooms were added to the campus across the street.
Early '80s - The Miss Pirate contest begun. Due to a lack of interest, the contest later ended in 1991 with Miss Sonya Wilson being crowned the last Miss Pirate and Clay Sellers winning the last Mr. Pirate title.
1985-90 - Thomas Stanley took over the helm of the mighty pirate ship. He served as principal for three years at the old high school (and a couple years at the current school.)
December, 1986 - Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Ponce de Leon School were held.
1987-88 - The old school graduated its last class.
1988-89 - The new (and present) school, located on the northern borders of the elementary school, was completed and opened during the '88-'89 term.
1988-89 - Coached by Terry McClure, the girls' basketball team ended its season with a perfect 32-0 record. They went on to win the Class A State Championship by beating Fort Myers Christian with a score of 79-52. The team consisted of Donnita Spears; Teresa Andrews; Margaret Weimorts; Michele Johnston; Debby Brown; Sherri Galloway; Teresa Hinote; Jean Armstrong; and Melanie Bearden. Donnita Spears received a scholarship to play basketball at a junior college and went on to play at the University of West Florida, completing four years of college basketball. She later returned to PDL to teach special education and coach junior varsity basketball and softball.
1989-90 - The girl's basketball team lost to Fort Lauderdale-Westminster (72-60) in the State finals game.
1990-91 - Mrs. Ingrid Gillman was chosen Teacher of the Year.
1991-92 - An apache and blackhawk from Fort Rucker landed at PDL, and students got an up-close tour of each.
1990-94 - Former Superintendent, as well as PDL alumnus, principal, teacher, and coach, Gerald Commander (see 1956 above) took over once again and served as principal. He retired on January 31, 1994, after 43 years of dedication and hard work.
1995-96 - The Lady Pirates went to state again, but lost in the semi-final by one point.
1994-96 - Mr. Mike Anderson served as principal.
1997-1999 - Mr. Jack Jones, former superintendent of Holmes County Schools, served as principal.
1999-2001 - Mr. Steve Griffin took over Jack Jones's spot as principal.
1999 - The senior trip - to Las Vegas, Nevada - was a memorable one.
2000 - PDLHS welcomed its first foreign exchange student from Venezuela. Coached by Tim Alford and Mike Stafford, the girls' basketball team won its second Class A State Championship Title. Team members were Kim Farrington; Krystal Shull; April Wood; Chrissy Yarbrough; Carrie Yates; Laurie Tinsley; Jennifer McCormick; Samantha Hurst; Summer Zorn; Kisha Stafford; Tanya Pate; Hillary Rowe; and Kristen Vick.
January 18, 2001 - Mr. Wayne McDuffie passed away after 28 years of teaching history in Holmes County. He was 50 years old. 2001 - The seniors once again traveled to Las Vegas for their senior trip. The students also visited Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.
November, 2001 - Two PDL cheerleaders, Christy Davis and Jennifer Hurst, participated in the Macy's Day Parade in New York City. During their visit, they viewed the ruins of the Twin Towers, now known as Ground Zero.
2001-2005 - Mr. Larry Zorn served as our "commander-in-chief," with Mr. Buddy Brown serving as assistant principal.
January, 2002 - Student Council held the first ever "Servant Drive." Members were "sold" left and right to carry books, sharpen pencils, carry lunch trays, etc. The auction's minimum bid was $2, but much more was fetched for some.
2002 - Mrs. Patsy Byrd, PDL's media specialist, retired after 38 years. Mr. Hilton Byrd, our middle school math teacher, retired with 38+ years. Mr. Leroy Gillis retired after teaching in the ag. department for 34 years. And last, Mr. Bobby Helms retired after teaching driver's education for 33 years. Combined, these retirees had 143+ years of service.
Hall of Fame inductees (and their corresponding years) are:
1981 Gerald Commander Jimmy Galloway Billy Griffin Rex Vaughn |
1987 Ronnie Scott |
1995 Jason Blane Brandon Taylor |
1983 Lounette Brown |
1988 Larry Busby Drew Padgett |
1997 Roger Fleming Jimmy Hicks |
1984 Eva Merle Creamer Inex Hobbs K.P. Jackson Myra Bell Murphy |
1989 Wood Hughes, Jr. |
2000 Billy Bearden Brady Bearden Randy Bearden |
1985 Wilbur Moore Ira Bell Murphy Elvia Teal |
1990 Jimmy Pullam Eva Mae Sutton |
2003 Lonnie Ray Hicks Billy Locke Randy O'Steen Ricky Yarbrough Glenn Yates |
1986 Henry Ray Kent Doffice Thompson |
1992 Hilton Galloway Johnnie Galloway Bobby Holmes Elvin Matthews Roger Owen |
2005 Jerry Stafford Richard Yates Terry Griffin Stacey McCormick |
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2008 Jimmy Ray Grant Billy Morris |
Our Alma Mater
On the city's northern border
Reared against the sky,
Proudly stands our Alma Mater
As the years go by.
Foreward ever be our watchword,
Conquer and prevail.
Hail to thee old Ponce de Leon,
Ponce de Leon, Hail.
Ponce de Leon's colors are the red and the white
Ponce de Leon's colors are the red and the white
Ponce de Leon's colors are the red and the white
Yes, we will fight for thee.
Glory, glory, Ponce de Leon
Glory, glory, Ponce de Leon
Glory, glory, Ponce de Leon
Yes, we will fight for thee.
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