History

Chrisman High School

[The original building that was named "William Chrisman High School", before the existing structure was built.] Navigation Study Building Return to the Study Building. Overview Page Return to the Overview Page.

History Chrisman High School In 1918 William Chrisman Hish School was built at 709 West Maple. According to the indenture made and signed by Maggie Chrisman Swope daughter of William Chrisman and wife of Thomas Swope (Swope Park of Kansas City), April 1, 1916, sold for $1.00 the property for a high school. Then in 1957 a new high school was at 1223 North Noland Road, this is the present site of William Chrisman High School. The old William Chrisman later became William Chrisman Junior High and is a church for the Restoration Branch of the Reorganized Church of Later Day Saints. William Chrisman High School built in 1957 incorporated a 1935 building previously used as Ott Elementary School. The original structure of Ott housed 13 rooms and restrooms. The main wing of the building was opened in 1956 the remainder of the building was built in stages. In 1957 and 1958 the remainder of the building was completed with the following areas added, the auditorium, the gym and the cafeteria. In 1972, the the special education wing was added to William Crisman. This addition added a number of rooms, a library and a gym to the current structure. William Chrisman can boast of a number of graduates that have achieved fame. These include: Harry S. Truman, Bess Wallace Truman, Paul Henning(T.V. writer for "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Petticoat Junction"), Major General John "Jack" Chiles, and Colonel Edwin Bayse(member of the "Flying Tigers").