1960

 The Vanguard of the Greenbrier: A Socio-Historical Chronicle of the Marlinton High School Class of 1960

The year 1960 occupies a singular position in the historiography of Marlinton, West Virginia. For the graduating seniors of Marlinton High School, this period was characterized by a profound convergence of local tradition and national transformation. As these students traversed their final year of secondary education, the town of Marlinton—nestled in the heart of Pocahontas County—was grappling with the demographic contraction common to the Appalachian timber belt, even as it became the epicenter of pioneering scientific endeavors like the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The Class of 1960 emerged as a bridge between the historical identity of a town born from the timber boom and a future defined by intellectual mobility and professional diversification. This report examines the educational, social, and economic landscape of this pivotal cohort, situating their experience within the broader narrative of mid-century West Virginia.

Institutional Foundations and Architectural Heritage

The institutional memory of the Class of 1960 was rooted in an educational framework established at the turn of the twentieth century. Marlinton High School, which grew out of the earlier Edray District High School, had been a focal point of the community since the town was formally laid out in 1891 and the post office name changed from Marlins Bottom to Marlinton in 1897. By 1910, the school was visually and socially integrated into the town’s core, frequently depicted in historical iconography alongside the Methodist Church and the Pocahontas County Courthouse. This tripartite association of education, faith, and law underscored the school’s role in shaping the moral and civic character of the local youth.

The physical plant of the school, which the seniors of 1960 inhabited, was a structure defined by decades of adaptation. Early accounts describe an interior where the first grade was taught by Miss Anna Wallace and the third grade by Miss Sally Cromwell, with the eighth grade eventually occupying space in the high school building under the tutelage of Miss Sudie Chambers. By the 1950s and early 1960s, the administration was led by H. Amout Yeager, a principal whose family legacy was deeply intertwined with the school’s history; his brother, Winston D. Yeager, had graduated from Marlinton in 1925 before achieving prominence in the Charleston banking sector.

The architectural evolution of the school reflected the fluctuating population of the county. In the early 1910s, the school’s auditorium had been subdivided into classrooms to accommodate a surge in enrollment. However, by 1960, the institution faced the opposite challenge: a shrinking demographic base. While some local records suggest an institutional closure or significant transition occurred in 1960, the high school continued to serve as a vital community hub until the catastrophic fire of September 16, 1967, which resulted in the building’s total demolition. The seniors of 1960, therefore, represent one of the final generations to experience the school in its original, un-consolidated state, a period often remembered as the "Golden Age" of the Marlinton Copperheads.

Historical Timeline of Marlinton High School Context	Event / Milestone
1891	Town of Marlinton laid out from farmland.
1897	Post office renamed from Marlins Bottom to Marlinton.
1910	Early depiction of MHS alongside the Methodist Church.
1917	First graduating class of Marlinton High School.
1941	Retirement of Principal George Douglas McNeill.
1960	Graduation of the focal class; notable basketball postseason run.
1967	Destruction of the high school building by fire (Sept. 16).

Demographic Realities: The 1960 Census and the Appalachian Diaspora

The social environment of the Class of 1960 was inextricably linked to the demographic shifts recorded in the 1960 United States Census. This data provides a stark illustration of the challenges facing rural West Virginia during the mid-century. While Marlinton itself maintained a relatively stable population of 1,586 in 1960—a modest 3.6% decrease from the 1950 count—the broader Pocahontas County region was in the midst of a severe contraction.

Between 1950 and 1960, the county population plummeted from 12,480 to 10,136, representing a loss of nearly 19% of its residents. This exodus was driven by the mechanization of the timber industry and the decline of small-scale mountain farming. For the graduates of 1960, these numbers were not merely statistics; they represented the departure of peers, siblings, and neighbors. The contraction of the local population created a sense of urgency among the graduating class, as many recognized that professional success would likely require relocation to urban centers or industrial hubs outside the state.

Census Year	Marlinton Town Population	Pocahontas County Population
1940	1,644	13,906
1950	1,645	12,480
1960	1,586	10,136
1970	1,286	8,870

Data indicates a steady erosion of the rural base supporting the school system.

The racial composition of the community during the 1960 graduation period remained highly homogenous, with white residents comprising over 93% of the population. Despite this, a vibrant African American community existed within the school’s orbit, centered around institutions like the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where Rev. Carl E. Boggs and Rev. C.C. Logan led services and singing conventions that brought together families from Marlinton and nearby Brownsburg. This cultural tapestry, though small in percentage, was an integral part of the social landscape that the Class of 1960 navigated.

Profiles of Excellence: Individual Narratives of the Class of 1960

The Class of 1960 was composed of individuals whose subsequent careers reflected the high academic standards and resilient work ethic fostered at Marlinton High School. These narratives provide a granular view of the "Appalachian Dream"—the pursuit of education and service both within and beyond the mountain state.

Dr. John R. Pisapia: A Lifelong Commitment to Education

John R. Pisapia stands as one of the most prominent figures of the 1960 cohort. His career trajectory exemplifies the role of the local high school as a springboard for regional leadership. After leaving Marlinton, Pisapia pursued higher education at Glenville State University and West Virginia University, where he earned a Doctorate of Educational Administration in 1986. His professional life was dedicated to the improvement of West Virginia’s school systems, serving as the Superintendent for both Webster and McDowell County schools.

Dr. Pisapia’s influence extended into the legislative realm, where he served in the West Virginia State Senate and as the Executive Director of the School Building Authority of West Virginia. His receipt of the Alumna Achievement Award from Glenville State in 2007 underscored his status as a role model for future generations of Marlinton graduates. His life story highlights a core paradox of the Class of 1960: while many were forced to leave to find opportunities, the most dedicated often returned to apply their expertise to the very systems that had shaped them.

Naomi Reed: From the Greenbrier to the FBI

The experience of Naomi, another 1960 graduate, reflects the pull of federal service and the broader "out-migration" trend. Following her graduation, Naomi moved to Washington, D.C., where she joined the secretarial pool of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the directorship of J. Edgar Hoover. Her path was indicative of the high level of vocational preparation provided at Marlinton, where secretarial and administrative skills were emphasized as a viable career path for young women.

Naomi’s career and subsequent move to Ohio represent the geographic dispersion of the class. Having excelled in her education to the point of being mentioned as a valedictorian candidate, her success in the nation’s capital demonstrated that the graduates of a small West Virginia high school could compete on a national stage. Her story is a testament to the versatility of the Class of 1960, as they transitioned from the quiet life of the Greenbrier Valley to the fast-paced environment of federal law enforcement.

Thelma Audrey "Teenie" Perry: Artistry and Local Stability

In contrast to those who left, Thelma Audrey "Teenie" Perry represents the graduates who remained and enriched the local community. Born in Baltimore but raised in the traditions of Marlinton, Teenie’s career was defined by her service to local institutions, including the telephone company and the First National Bank in Marlinton. She became a foundational member of the Pocahontas County Art Guild, where she translated her love for the West Virginia landscape into oil paintings and mentored aspiring artists. Her life highlights the importance of the "stayers"—those graduates whose commitment to local culture and economy provided the stability necessary to sustain the town through its leanest years.

Academic Life and the Influence of Vocational Agriculture

The curriculum at Marlinton High School in 1960 was a blend of classical academics and practical vocational training, tailored to the needs of a rural economy. Central to this experience was the Vocational Agriculture program, led for many years by F.E. Smith. Smith, a graduate of West Virginia University with a master's degree in Vocational Agriculture, was considered one of the premier instructors in the state.

Under Smith’s guidance, the seniors of 1960 were exposed to the scientific management of timber and livestock, reflecting a transition from traditional farming to modern resource management. The impact of such faculty was profound; they were not only teachers but also community leaders who served in the church and various civic organizations. This holistic model of education ensured that even those students who did not pursue a four-year degree were equipped with the technical skills and civic-mindedness required to contribute to the county’s welfare.

The academic rigor of the school was also maintained through a series of rituals, such as the Senior-Alumni Banquet. Held annually at the El Poca Restaurant, this event served as a formal induction for the seniors into the broader community of Marlinton graduates. The 1960 banquet featured addresses from figures like Dr. Thomas King, president of the Alumni Association, and Eric Clutter, the superintendent of schools, emphasizing the continuity of the school's mission across generations.

Athletic Legacy: The 1960 Copperheads

In the social hierarchy of a 1960s Appalachian high school, athletics occupied a central position, and for the Class of 1960, basketball was the primary source of community pride. The 1960 team, known as the Copperheads, is remembered as one of the most successful squads in the school’s history. They secured a victory in the sectional playoffs and advanced to the regional championship game, where they ultimately fell to Rainelle in a contest that remains a staple of local sports lore.

The success of the 1960 basketball team provided a vital psychological boost to a town facing economic uncertainty. The games served as a collective ritual, drawing together residents from across the county to witness the prowess of the local youth. For the seniors on the team, the postseason run was a defining moment of their high school careers, cementing their identity as a cohort capable of competing at the highest levels of state athletics.

The Economic Context: Timber, Conservation, and the Space Age

The economic landscape that greeted the Class of 1960 was one of significant transition. While the timber industry remained the county's backbone, it was no longer the unregulated frontier of the previous century. By 1960, manufacturers had largely replaced individual loggers, and the Forest Service had introduced strict regulations regarding fire prevention and land use.

Concurrent with these industrial shifts was the arrival of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The establishment of the National Radio Quiet Zone in the late 1950s brought a new, highly educated workforce to the region. For the Class of 1960, this meant living in a town where traditional mountain culture coexisted with cutting-edge scientific research. The NRAO represented a new kind of employer, one that required specialized skills and brought a cosmopolitan influence to the Greenbrier Valley. This dual economy—timber and science—created a unique environment for the graduates, offering them a glimpse of a world beyond the mountains even as they remained rooted in local traditions.

Economic Driver	Impact on 1960 Community
Timber Industry	Transition to manufacturing; increased regulation by Forest Service.
NRAO / Quiet Zone	Introduction of scientific research; creation of restricted signal zone.
Local Business	Stability provided by First National Bank and the Pocahontas Times.
Tourism (Emergent)	Wildlife reintroduction (elk, pheasants) signaling future recreational shifts.

The Role of the "Pocahontas Times" in Class Memory

The history of the Class of 1960 is preserved with remarkable clarity through the archives of the Pocahontas Times. Under the leadership of figures like Jane Price Sharp, the newspaper served as the definitive record of the town’s social and academic life. The paper’s coverage of the 1960 graduation, the successes of the basketball team, and the career milestones of the alumni ensured that the achievements of the class were documented for posterity.

Jane Price Sharp’s role as an observer and chronicler was particularly important during the 1960s. Her reporting on the "devastating effects" of local disasters, as well as her celebration of community successes, provided a narrative framework through which the town understood itself. For the graduates of 1960, the Pocahontas Times was the medium through which they maintained a connection to their hometown, even as they moved to places like Washington D.C., Ohio, or Georgia.

Conclusion: The Finality of the 1960 Era

The graduation of the Class of 1960 marked the beginning of the end for Marlinton High School as an independent architectural and institutional entity. The fire of 1967 would eventually force a consolidation that had been looming for years, but the 1960 seniors were able to complete their journey in the traditional manner. They were a class defined by their academic excellence, their athletic pride, and their resilience in the face of a changing world.

As they entered a decade that would be defined by the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Space Race, the graduates of Marlinton High School carried with them the values of a small-town Appalachian upbringing. Whether they became educational leaders like John Pisapia, federal employees like Naomi Reed, or community pillars like Teenie Perry, they remained a testament to the enduring power of a Marlinton education. Their history is not merely a record of a single year, but a reflection of a town's struggle to maintain its identity in a rapidly modernizing world. Through the efforts of the Pocahontas County Historical Society and the preservation work of individuals like B.J. Gudmundsson, the legacy of the Class of 1960 continues to serve as a vital link to Marlinton’s storied past.