Old Lehighton High School

Picture stepping back to the early 1800s, where a simple log schoolhouse stood on the historic mission grounds. Built around 1820, this small building was a place of learning and spiritual growth. It had just two rooms and served as both a school and a place of worship. Managed by a board of trustees, the school operated during the winter months for many years, leaving a lasting impact on the students who attended.

As the community of Mahoning Township, which included Lehighton, grew, the need for more schools became clear. By the 1840s, the area began embracing the public school system, and new schools were built or repurposed to meet the growing demand. One such school was established on Iron Street in 1850, followed by another on the Town Square in 1853, which stayed in use until the new Second Ward school was built in 1873. Not long after that, another schoolhouse was built on Pine Street.

Then, in July 1873, the school board made a big decision: they were going to build a three-story brick schoolhouse, which would include a third floor for public use. After selecting the site and hiring architect J. Boyd Henri from Allentown, construction began in May. The project moved quickly, and the building was completed at a cost of $45,000.

With the final brick in place, the new Second Ward schoolhouse became the home for all three schools in the borough. This marked the beginning of a new era in education for Lehighton.

Nearly 50 years later, the town needed an even larger school. In September 1918, the new high school was dedicated, becoming a symbol of the community’s pride. The Burroughs school board pushed forward with a bold plan in 1915 to raise $100,000 for the project, and the community supported it. In May 1917, voters approved the bond issue by a wide margin. The high school opened in the fall of 1917, becoming one of Pennsylvania's top secondary schools. This new institution would leave a lasting impact on Lehighton, shaping generations of students.

Today, the history of those early schools is still present in Lehighton and Weissport, where the descendants of the original students continue to live and grow. The legacy of that first log schoolhouse is a reminder of the importance of education and the dedication of a community to supporting future generations.