Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/372

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MR. POST'S SCHOOL

Late in the fall of 1855, J. D. Post, the principal of the Oregon City College, withdrew from that school and opened a private school a short distance south of Oregon City.

In May, 1856, his school is advertised under "new arrangements." The advertisement is quoted as follows:[1]

The next term of our school will begin July 1, 1856; the primary department limited to sixteen, will be under the charge of J. Andrew Post.

The Preparatory department limited to twenty-five, eighteen day pupils and seven boarders, will be under the care of the subscriber, who will have supervision of both departments. By this arrangement we hope to offer superior advantages to our patrons.

N. B. None invited to attend but such as will cheerfully comply with the rules of the school. Neither do we want any who will be rough in his plays with his companions, or use any improper language.

J. D. Post

Post undoubtedly took advantage of his former position as principal of the Oregon City College and his position as superintendent of schools for Clackamas County in promoting his school. He was an able and well liked teacher and was thorough in his work. That the school enjoyed immediate success is shown in an editorial[2] in the local newspaper in which Post is commended for his fine influence in the community and for the excellent showing his pupils made in exhibition when the school was visited by patrons.

His school continued to prosper for several years and in 1859, he announced[3] his intentions of building a new school near Oregon City as a permanent school. He further announced that "our means of instruction, our apparatus, maps, books, and the internal arrangements of the school will be such as will compare favorably with any school on the Pacific Coast, and such as will recommend themselves to all who may come to the school to learn."

However, the above plan failed to materialize and Post soon

closed his school. The exact date and reason are not known.


  1. Oregon Argus, May 24, 1856.
  2. Same, February 23, 1856.
  3. Same, July 2, 1859.