Henry Clay Yerger facts for kids

Henry Clay Yerger (December 4, 1861 – February 19, 1936) was an important American schoolteacher. He was a leader in creating better education for African Americans in Hope, Arkansas. He worked hard to build schools and make sure students had good learning opportunities.

Yerger's Early Life and Schooling

Henry Clay Yerger was born on December 4, 1861, in Hempstead County, Arkansas. His mother's name was Sally Yerger. He went to college at Philander Smith College. He also studied at Boston University and the Hampton Institute. Henry Clay Yerger married Ella J. Green. They had eight children together: five boys and three girls.

Building Shover Street School

Henry Clay Yerger came to Hope, Arkansas, on October 1, 1886. He became the leader of the Hope Colored School. At first, it was just one room on South Hazel Street. A few years later, the school moved to Shover Road, which is now Shover Street. This is how it got its name, "Shover Street Elementary School."

Growing the School Building

At the new Shover Street location, the school had two rooms and two teachers. Professor Yerger had big plans for the school. With help from the school board and the community, the school grew quickly. Soon, it had four rooms and four teachers.

In 1915, a second floor was added, and three more teachers joined. An extra building for home economics was built. Funds for this came from special groups like the Jeans and Sister Funds, and later the Rosenwald Fund. An agriculture department was also started with help from the Smith-Hughes Fund. A new building was added just for agriculture classes.

Shover Street: A Training School

The school kept growing steadily. It became the first training school for African Americans west of the Mississippi River. Students could study up to the eleventh grade. They learned subjects like English, math (algebra and geometry), Latin, agriculture, social studies, art, and music. Teachers also helped with activities like drama, dancing, and physical education.

For a long time, Shover Street School was the only high school in that part of the state. Many students came from far away to learn there. To help these students, a dormitory (a place for students to live) for girls was built in 1918. This dormitory also housed teachers who came from other states for training.

Yerger High School is Built

Henry Clay Yerger received financial help from several foundations. These included the General Education Board, the Rosenwald Foundation, and the Smith Hughes and Slater Funds. This money helped him start courses in home economics and agriculture.

In 1928, the school added twelfth graders. In 1931, the school board bought five more acres of land for new buildings and a park. With more help from the Rosenwald Foundation and the General Education Board, the first permanent building was constructed. In October 1931, this building was named Henry Clay Yerger High School. It was named in honor of its founder and principal, who had worked there for fifty years. At this time, the school had over 900 students and 17 teachers. The State Department of Education gave the school an "A" rating.

More Growth and Programs

Later, more additions were made to the school. These included a new high school annex, a lunchroom, and a building for vocational training. Programs like Adult Education and Veterans Program were also added. The high school offered subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Trade and Industry, and Music.

In more recent years, a gymnasium and another new high school annex were added. New subjects like speech, foreign language, and reading help were also offered. In 1958, the school became part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This meant it met high standards for education.

Yerger's Personal Life and Awards

Henry Clay Yerger was recognized for his hard work. He received the Outstanding Citizen Award for his contributions to education and religious services in the community. He also served as president, treasurer, and a board member of the Arkansas Teachers Association.