West Side School was located at the corner of Mineral and Cedar streets. This photograph, from the 1911 Webb City High School yearbook, shows a group of young men who played basketball for the West Side School. The WSS letters look like they were temporarily placed on the sweaters for the photograph.

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Old News

The West End, part of Webb City, yet with a separate identity

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

We recently ran across this interesting photo of a West Side (elementary) School basketball team in the 1911 Webb City High School yearbook. Team photos of the younger grades are so rare this is the first one we’ve seen.

West End School was in Webb City’s “West End,” a community of its own at the turn of the 20th Century. Although it was officially part of Webb City, the people living in the west part of town often thought of themselves as part of a separate community. The West End had its own fire station, pharmacy, school, grocery stores, restaurants and many other businesses that make up a community.

Remnants of the business community can be seen at its core, at the intersection of Madison and Daugherty streets.

Note the cow grazing freely in front of the Great Western College, located on College Street at the west end of Austin Street. It was originally the Webb City Baptist College. Then in 1902 the Webb City College for Young Ladies. Only a year later, in 1903, It became the Great Western and Normal Business College. It ceased being a college when it was converted to apartments in 1909. It was eventually demolished, its bricks recycled by another building and its basement converted into the municipal swimming pool.

Ban on West End cows

The Webb City Register, Friday, April 15, 1910

The freedom of the West End cows is to be of short duration. Recently they have annoyed residents in that section by getting in their yards, destroying their lawns and otherwise injuring the property. The West Enders have been given notice to keep their cows up.

Berrian’s Grocery Store (northwest corner of Madison and Daugherty streets).

A couple of West End boys found a possum.

The Webb City Register, Friday, October 16, 1914.

Earl Hutchins and Elden Legg so charmed a possum out near Arch Bridge that it followed them home and is now on exhibition at Berrian’s Grocery.

The clubhouse for the employees of the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway Co. was located in the West End. Behind it in this photo is the streetcar maintenance building. Across the street was the system's powerhouse (Skateland today).

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.

All Posts