Gilbert, Arizona

k Highland School—Gilbert’s second school This first school served the area until 1909, when a better schoolhouse was built one mile south on another parcel of land donated by the Barkley family. This two-room, cement-block building was constructed before school began in 1909. It was called Highland School because it was built on one of the highest elevations in the area. It is interesting to know that Hubert Sawyer and his family had moved to Arizona the same year from Indiana. Mr. Sawyer helped in the building of the school and then taught classes there for the next two years.

In 1912, the area was growing so fast that the school board decided to build another school at the corner of Elliot and Gilbert Roads, on five acres given by Everett R. Wilbur and his wife Nelly. Everett’s father, who was a doctor, had given the quarter-section of land to the young couple when they married. Everett was very talented as a dairyman, blacksmith, and machinist, and was also an inventor. When Gilbert was incorporated in 1920, he became Gilbert’s first mayor.

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