Old Lehighton High School

Imagine stepping back in time to the early 19th century, where a humble log school-house stood proudly on the historic mission grounds. Built around 1820, this modest structure held within its walls the promise of education and spiritual growth. A single-story building divided into two rooms, it served as both a place of worship and a center of learning. Governed by a dedicated board of trustees, the school operated during the winter months for countless years, leaving a lasting impact on the pupils who once roamed its corridors.

As time marched on and progress beckoned, the evolving community of Mahoning Township, which included the burgeoning borough of Lehighton, embraced the public school system around 1840. In response, additional schoolhouses were constructed or repurposed to accommodate the expanding educational needs of the area. One such establishment emerged on Iron Street in 1850, followed by another on the bustling Town Square in 1853, which continued to serve its purpose until the arrival of the 1873 Second Ward building. Not long after, a new schoolhouse proudly stood on Pine Street, adding to the evolving educational landscape.

Then, on a historic day in July 1873, the forward-thinking board of school directors made a momentous decision. They embarked on a grand endeavor to erect a magnificent three-story brick schoolhouse, with the visionary inclusion of a third floor designed for public use. With careful consideration, a site was selected and acquired, and the talented architect J. Boyd Henri from Allentown meticulously drafted the plans. The community eagerly embraced these designs, and construction commenced in May of that same year. Driven by unwavering determination, the project swiftly progressed, culminating in the completion of the remarkable structure at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars.

With the final brick laid, the new Second Ward schoolhouse emerged as a proud and resolute haven, embracing within its walls all three schools nestled within the borough. As the doors swung open, a magnificent era of education unfurled, forever altering the very fabric and horizon of Lehighton. This extraordinary accomplishment etched an indelible milestone in the town's storied history, a testament to the unwavering spirit and collective determination of its community.

Nearly five decades later, the call for a more expansive educational abode resounded throughout Lehighton. In September of 1918, a moment teeming with pride, was witnessed the triumphant dedication of the town's splendid new high school, an architectural marvel symbolizing the enduring essence of the community. Little did they fathom that this remarkable edifice would remain the heart of Lehighton for almost a century, its resounding influence permeating the lives of generations. The Burroughs school board, igniting the flames of progress, fearlessly adopted an audacious resolution in 1915, unanimously agreeing to amplify the district's indebtedness by a staggering $100,000, paving the way for this grand endeavor to materialize. The unwavering conviction reverberated among the electorate, who, on the momentous day of May 8th, cast an overwhelming 345 votes in favor of the bond issue, while a mere 153 voices dared to oppose. In the fall of 1917, the doors of the high school swung open wide, beckoning enthusiastic students into what was hailed as one of Pennsylvania's most exceptional strongholds of contemporary secondary education. A beacon of academic excellence, this institution would shape the minds and aspirations of generations to come, forever leaving an indelible mark upon Lehighton's educational landscape.

Today, the echoes of the past still resonate through the streets of Lehighton, Weissport, and the surrounding area, where the descendants of those early pupils continue to thrive. The legacy of that old log school-house lives on, serving as a testament to the enduring power of education and the unwavering spirit of a community committed to nurturing the minds of generations to come.