Tower of Light School students, circa 1930s.

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Old News

Students went to school at Tower of Light from 1921 to 1951

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

August 21, 2024

Robert Thullesen has donated this photo of the Tower of Light School, which was taken in the 1930s. (It looks like someone did not care for the teacher!)

Tower of Light School was located north of Oronogo on D Highway. The school was established in the mid to late 1800s. The original building was replaced in 1921 and was used as a school until 1951 when Tower of Light merged with the Oronogo School District. The new district would be named the R-16 District. The school house was purchased by a church in 1952.

(FRONT) Neal ?, Mary Lynn Gillard, Virginia Riggs, Madeline Gillard, Doris Bull, Faye Gillard, Leroy Nelson, ? Smith, Betty Riggs, Betty Lou Forsythe, Teddy Forsythe.

(BACK) Ellen Ortle (teacher), Abe Tate Tallon, Ruth Bull, Eulelia Riggs, Don Bull, Mary Petefish, Junior Wilson, Francis Gillard, Philip Potts, Una Workman and Delores Yocum.

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.