West Chester Alumni banquet held

West Chester, alumni, family members and guests met at the West Chester Heritage Building, or the West Chester Schoolhouse, to celebrate the 100th year birthday of the schoolhouse building that was built in 1917.

During the early 1900s outlying school districts found it was cheaper to pay tuition to West Chester for students to come to town than use the rural schoolhouse. The new Brick Schoolhouse in West Chester opened in September of 1917, having eight grades and a high school. The first senior class graduated in 1921 with two students.

In 1929 an addition was approved and built; a gym, stage and an upper third floor for high school rooms. In 1960 West Chester consolidated with Mid-Prairie School District.

In the late ?70s the school closed forever and the school reverted back to the city. The community spirit lit a fire and the West Chester Heritage group was organized to save the SchoolHouse and the history of the small town of West Chester.

The schoolhouse may be rented and the community has hosted several events the largest one was RAGBRAI last year. The latest one was Corn Cruisers on Saturday, the day before the banquet.

A potluck dinner was enjoyed by alumni and friends of West Chester.

Don Butterbaugh (1957) of Marion, welcomed alumni, supporters and friends of West Chester High School. Attending 1957 alumni from the class were Ed Boone, Washington; Larry Hough, Washington; Janice Laubach Bills, Fort Worth, Texas.

A letter was read from Beth Reif Griggs Janecek recalling growing up in West Chester and her school days as a student and teacher.

Dean Greiner gave the update on activities of the West Chester Heritage group. Many groups have rented the building for family reunions and other gatherings.

An auction of donated items followed the program.