In 1888 Atchison county, in accordance with an act of the Kansas legislature of 1866, established the second county high school in the State, and it was due to the efforts of Senator B. F. Wallack, and also the efforts of the public spirited citizens of Effingham, that this school was located there. The first board of trustees of this school were as follows: A. J. Harwi, A. S. Best. J. E. Logan, F. E. Cloyes, L. R. Spangler and W. E. Knight. John Klopfenstein, who was at that time county superintendent, became the first president of the board. The present site, which comprises a spacious campus of eight acres, was purchased by the city of Effingham and donated to the county. A handsome pressed brick and stone building was erected in compliance with plans and specifications designed by Alfred Meier, of Atchison. The building, costing more than $22,000.00, was completed in June, 1891. School opened September 14, 1891, with F. J. Squires, principal, assisted by J. O. Ward, Miss Julia Heath, and Miss N. Grace Murphy. Three courses of study were provided for: Normal, general and college preparatory. On the night of November 6, 1893, the building was destroyed by fire. School was opened the next morning and was continued the remainder of the year down town in lodge rooms, churches, and the public school building. The present building, erected on the same site, was ready for occupancy by the fall of 1894. Following are the names of the principals who have served the school: J. F. Squires, 1891 to 1893; S. J. Hunter, 1893 and 1896; J. W. Wilson, 1896 to 1907; W. H. Keller, 1907 to 1908; E. H. McMath, 1908 to 1911: J. R. Thierstein, 1911 to 1915, and A. J. McAllister and G. W. Salisbury. 1915 to 1916. The county high school exists mainly to afford free high school education to every boy and girl in the county. Since its students come principally from the rural districts, it must educate them to become better homemakers and better farmers, and to appreciate more fully the advantages of rural life. It must also help prepare better teachers for the rural schools and train them for business as well as for college. [Illustration: Atchison County High School, Effingham, Kansas ] It has grown in efficiency and influence until it is recognized as one of the best high schools in the State and is on the accredited list of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This means that our school is recognized by the colleges of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado, which admit our graduates without examination.