Goodman School History Goes Back to 1910

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY THE MCDONALD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Goodman High School, freshman class, 1947
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY THE MCDONALD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Goodman High School, freshman class, 1947

Special To McDonald County Press

Constructed in 1910, a two-story frame structure was the first to be built at the present location of the Goodman School, according to "The History of Goodman" by Blanche and Cheryl Cook.

Many people believe a plot of ground, perhaps five acres, was a gift of the Ozark Orchard Company which, at an earlier date, had secured a large acreage in the region and set out peach and apple orchards. Many students enrolled in Goodman High School from adjoining rural school districts as additional high school grades were added. They came from Erie, Indian Springs, Eagle, Pleasant Point, May, Banner and North View. The students paid their own tuition at first, but later the home district paid it. The increased enrollment and the community growth required more space and so, in 1922, the first brick building was built and occupied in January 1923.

In 1927, a bond issue was approved that made funds available for a gymnasium. In 1929, the gym and main building were connected and provided a classroom and a girls' restroom upstairs and a boys' restroom and a classroom downstairs. These were the first indoor restrooms. The district continued to grow, and more land was purchased and buildings constructed. In 1965, a majority of voters approved the consolidation of Goodman High School with the Neosho School District. The class of 1966 was the last to graduate from Goodman High School.

If you know the names of any of the students in the photo, please contact the McDonald County Historical Society at 417-223-770 or [email protected]. The rich history of the county is preserved by the historical society. Visit The McDonald County Courthouse Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday to learn more about the County's history and heritage. A new exhibit, "100 Years of Fashion," is now on display.

Community on 09/22/2016