Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.418

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History of Cambria County, V.2

418 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

1862, J. Frank Condon; Condon resigned and Mr. McCormick served that unexpired term. In 1863 Henry Ely; 1864, J. W. Schwartz; 1865-68, A.C. Johnson, excepting the latter part of the term Mr. McCormick succeeded. From 1869-72, George W. Cope; in 1872, J.R. Hykes; 1873-75, B. H. Patterson; then H.S. Phillips for one year; 1876-79, N.N. Keener; in 1879 A.S. Brubaker; 1880, M.E. Scheibner. He was followed by T.B. Johnston, Borough Superintendent from 1881 to 1890. In 1890 Mr. Johnston was elected city superintendent and served until 1896, when he was succeeded by J.M. Berkey, who served for three terms. James N. Muir, the present incumbent was elected in 1905.
    Thirty-four years prior to the adoption of the common school system, Joseph Johns seems to have had prescience of what they should be and what they actually are after one hundred years, inasmuch as when he gave the charter for the town of Conemaugh, now the city of Johnstown, dated November 3, 1800, he dedicated to the people the large piece of ground on the corner of Market and Carr streets, on which the high school building is erected “for the purpose of erecting school-houses and houses of public worship, free and clear of all incumbrances whatsoever.”
    Ten years thereafter on the northeast corner of the grounds, a little one-story log schoolhouse was erected which was subsequently weatherboarded, but never painted, and by the boys named “Old Blacky.” It was paid for by public subscriptions, and was the first place of worship and, until 1854, was used for school purposes.
    In 1836 the “Little Brick” was built on the southwest corner and was likewise used as a place of public worship. In 1837 Judge Easly built what was always designated the “McConaughy Schoolhouse” on the southwest corner of Walnut and Conemaugh streets, which cost $200, and was in 1850 moved to the Market street site and placed between “Old Blacky” and the “Little Brick.” After it was properly repaired the boys named it the “White Schoolhouse,” as the contrast with “Old Blacky” was so pronounced as to be attractive. However, their usefulness was not ended for many years, inasmuch as on May 26, 1855, Old Whitey was sold for $176, and Old Blacky for $63, and they were moved away for other purposes.
    The Union Schoolhouse erected on the same site at a cost of $4,458 was completed and ready for occupancy January 1,

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418	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
1862, J. Frank Condon; Condon resigned and Mr. McCormick served that unexpired term. In 1863 Henry Ely; 1864, J. W. Schwartz; 1865-68, A.C. Johnson, excepting the latter part of the term Mr. McCormick succeeded. From 1869-72, George W. Cope; in 1872, J.R. Hykes; 1873-75, B. H. Patterson; then H.S. Phillips for one year; 1876-79, N.N. Keener; in 1879 A.S. Brubaker; 1880, M.E. Scheibner. He was followed by T.B. Johnston, Borough Superintendent from 1881 to 1890. In 1890 Mr. Johnston was elected city superintendent and served until 1896, when he was succeeded by J.M. Berkey, who served for three terms. James N. Muir, the present incumbent was elected in 1905. Thirty-four years prior to the adoption of the common school system, Joseph Johns seems to have had prescience of what they should be and what they actually are after one hundred years, inasmuch as when he gave the charter for the town of Conemaugh, now the city of Johnstown, dated November 3, 1800, he dedicated to the people the large piece of ground on the corner of Market and Carr streets, on which the high school building is erected “for the purpose of erecting school-houses and houses of public worship, free and clear of all incumbrances whatsoever.” Ten years thereafter on the northeast corner of the grounds, a little one-story log schoolhouse was erected which was subsequently weatherboarded, but never painted, and by the boys named “Old Blacky.” It was paid for by public subscriptions, and was the first place of worship and, until 1854, was used for school purposes. In 1836 the “Little Brick” was built on the southwest corner and was likewise used as a place of public worship. In 1837 Judge Easly built what was always designated the “McConaughy Schoolhouse” on the southwest corner of Walnut and Conemaugh streets, which cost $200, and was in 1850 moved to the Market street site and placed between “Old Blacky” and the “Little Brick.” After it was properly repaired the boys named it the “White Schoolhouse,” as the contrast with “Old Blacky” was so pronounced as to be attractive. However, their usefulness was not ended for many years, inasmuch as on May 26, 1855, Old Whitey was sold for $176, and Old Blacky for $63, and they were moved away for other purposes. The Union Schoolhouse erected on the same site at a cost of $4,458 was completed and ready for occupancy January 1,