The petition to organize the first school in the township (158-62) was granted January 9, 1901 and was given the number District #34. In a letter written January 2, 1900 and signed by L.B. Fancher, County Superintendent of Schools, he urged that such a a district be organized according to the petition he had received since there were more than ten children of schol age resideing in the township. Those signing the petition to organize were: Wm. Goldsbury, W.M. Pitt, Pearl Vanderhoef, H.F. Shipley, Geo. H. Clace, Orrin Atkinson, O.O. Knudson, B. Klesclan, G.F. Hawthorne, W. Sadlemeyer, J.W. Stoneman, Ole Iverson and A.C. Davis. The first school was located in Northwest Quarter Section 21. Later a second school was built to the east on the homestead of Mrs. Annie Lee.
The first school board members in 1901 were J.W. Stoneman, Walter Sadlemeyer and Andrew Haugen. A.C. Davis was clerk and Ole Iverson was treasurer. Mrs. A.C. Davis was the first teacher. The next year Mary A. Goldsbury joined her.
These schools continued until the district was consolidated and the school was built at its present location in the year 1907.
The school opened in 1908 as a grade school and although the town of Hampden was organized in 1903, the school district was called Northfield until 1908 when the name was changed to the Hampden Public School District #34. It was not until that year or 1912 that two years of high school were added and in 1922 all 12 grades were taught.
There have been 369 graduates of Hampden High School since the first class in 1924 through 1980 when Hampden closed its doors for the last time. The largest graduating class had 19 members. It was the class of 1933.
The first Parent Teacher Organization was organzied in 1939. There were 45 members. The first officers were Fritz Skaar, President; Carl Mortenson, Vice-president; Peter Woken , Secretary; and Mrs. Torgerson, Treasurer.
The first annual “The Hampden Highlite” was also published in 1942. At this time there were 45 students in grades 1-8, and 38 students in grades 9-12.
The first graduates from Hampden were Edna Rudser, Now Mrs. Arthur Myhre of Munich, and her brother, Peter Rudser, in 1924.
We have one family with three generations of graduates. They are Earl and Nora Anderson, their son, Richard, and his children. All live in the Hampden community at this time.
Two additions have been added to the original building over the years. The gymnasium was built in 1952 and four new high school rooms were added in 1960.
The first hot lunch program was started in 1942 for the country children. Inez Lommen was in charge of this and soup was the menu.
The present hot lunch room was officially opened in the fall of 1953. An open house was held October 11, 1953. Mrs. Henry (Verna) Peters and Mrs. Alber (Roberta) Werner were the first cooks.
1950-1951 was the first year Hampden had a band. The band was organized and directed by Melvin Anda. A Band Mothers Organization was also started at this time. Their purpose was to raise money to help support the band with its needs in music instruments, etc.
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