Halloween Hijinks at the High School

Halloween was once as much (or more) about the tricks as the treats, and you need look no further than the Cuba City of yesteryear for evidence. Trick-or-treating was not yet in fashion in the 1910s and 1920s, so if young folks weren't attending a Halloween party, they may well have been making mischief around town. Officials regularly posted newspaper notices ahead of the holiday, warning against destruction of property or other criminal behavior.

Cuba City High School, circa 1920. Image available from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

On November 3, 1922, the Cuba City News-Herald published a detailed account of how the high school was targeted by Halloween pranksters: 

"The school building was not forgotten Hallowe'en, Tuesday night. The main floor was covered with posts, a scales box, a telephone pole, and a sign board. Mr. Jacobson's room had wood scattered over the seats and his desk was upset in one corner. The keyholes were plugged with wood and the electric gong had been put out of commission. Aside from the cutting of the bell rope, we are glad to note that no property damage was made and everyone seemed quite elated over the annual incident. The two entrances to the school were blocked but one had to be cleared to allow passage for the pupils. The south entrance, which is the one they cleared, was blocked by a haybaler, tank wagon, and several other wagons."

For more on Cuba City's Halloweens of the past, check out these posts.