From the desk of Alison Gibson, Director
The library was recently given the opportunity to copy a 1926 Ripple yearbook. We have a few later years, but we didn’t have the 99-year-old copy. Lots of cool pictures, lots of last names easily recognized.
In the book it says this was the first annual yearbook. It appears that only 12 graduated—in the class history it mentions that some of the boys left early in their high school career.
We chose the picture because it was fun to see the size of the band, and had lots of familiar names. The yearbook also has the alumni listed from 1910-1925, often with where they were in 1926, and often spouse’s name and occupation. Examples from 1917 include Henrietta Mann, Ripley, Ohio. Telephone Operator or Faye Roush, Mrs. Harvey E. Bennett—641 S. Berendo St, Los Angeles, California.
The school had a girls’ orchestra, debating team as well as both a girls and boys basketball team.
Looking at the sponsorship advertisements, most are pretty recognizable—Bristow’s, Germann Bros, Linn’s, Ripley National Bank, Richard’s Grocery etc. However, some were not so well known—We hadn’t heard of the Red Front store—”exclusive Agent in Ripley for W. L. Douglas Shoes, as well as shirts and made to measure suits. Herbert Whitley, Proprietor. Store lasted about 8 years 1920-1928 and was located in the building that was torn down for the expansion of the Citizen’s National Bank.
It is so easy to get lost in looking at older material and looking for additional material–can’t always find an answer, but always fun searching! As always, we welcome you to visit and explore the library local history collections.
