The Library

Construction was begun on Pipkin Junior High School in 1923, but was not completed until 1925 because the school district lacked the money to finish the building until a bond issue was passed in 1925. The school was located at 1201 Boonville (address later changed to 1215 Boonville). Contract for the completion of the building was awarded to M.E. Gillioz of Monett.

Pipkin was named for school board member William H. Pipkin. He also owned the property on which the school was built. Earl Hawkins was the architect. The first principal of Pipkin was Dr. C. Benton Manley. The name of the weekly student newspaper was the Pipkin Pilot.

Pipkin, as well as the elementary schools that feed into it, are considered at-risk schools. Pipkin Middle School, as it is now called, is part of a partnership among Yale University, Drury University and Boyd-Berry Elementary Schools called the Comer project. It is a model developed by James Comer of Yale to increase parent involvement in schools, help at-risk students and provide opportunities for teachers to improve their skills. This program began in 1998.

The postcard is a black-and-white photograph showing Pipkin as it looked when new. On the back are listed autographs of teachers with their departments listed.

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