Seven years ago, an idea took root in my head. I was doing some research for an article I was writing for our local historical association’s newsletter. Hopping down rabbit holes to ferret out information is what I consider to be great fun. When I read an old newspaper article that referenced an experimental high school in our town, I wanted to learn more.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much more to learn. As with much of the country, our town was riddled with a number of one-room schoolhouses, or Common Schools as they were called. Most schools went up through sixth grade and many offered 7th and 8th grade instruction.
Our town did not have a high school program until 1926 and in 1930 a centralized school district was created, unifying the web of common schools. By the 1940s the school district was highly regarded. I needed to know how it happened. Though I had an inkling of an idea, I wanted to find out for sure.
There was very little concrete information in any books or reference books that could be found. I settled in to read hundreds of newspaper articles and to conduct over three dozen personal interviews with former students, administrators, and teachers. Though I regret to say the process took me much longer than I anticipated, it’s finally complete. Ok, it really isn’t complete. I couldn’t cover everything. But the basics are there and I’m happy with the answers to my own questions.
Now I’m free to push on with some detective fiction ideas and manuscripts I’ve started. But, honestly, I’m going to float on this lovely cloud of accomplishment a bit longer. And I love that people are enjoying the book. It was such a labor of love to produce.
Stories Are For Eternity 