South Ward

South Ward

De Leon Elementary


   Show here while under construction, South Ward was built about 1920 immediately after North Ward was completed. This building was the home of grades 1-8 for students generally living south of the railroad tracks.  It became De Leon Elementary in the early 50s, housing grades 1-3.  When the old high school was abandoned in 1958 the fourth graders (Class of 1966) shifted to this facility.  Like North Ward, it was torn down about 1965.

   Both schools were constructed to be heated with Thurber coal.  In 1924, after De Leon got natural gas the schools switched.  Coal cost the district about $1,000 per year while natural gas was about $140 per year or $35 per month.

South Ward 5th Graders 1930-31.

Delta Rhea Holdridge (Hafford) is on the right holding the numbers.

South Ward girls 1945.  Back Row (L-R):  Ray Gene Kinnard, Barbara Schuman, Clara Beth Golden, Mary Nell Campbell, Charlotte Preston.  The front four are unknown.

South Ward students in the 1930s

South Ward teachers about 1945.  Top (L-R) Mrs. Bowden, Mrs. R.D. Wright.  Front Row:  Unknown, Bertha Ross (Principal), unknown.

South Ward students in the 1930s

South Ward’s half of the DHS Class of 1938.

South Ward’s half of the DHS Class of 1950 as second graders.

South Ward students in the late 1930s

South Ward students in the 1930s

SOUTH WARD-DE LEON ELEMENTARY