Two More Pieces of Poplar Bluff History Preserved: The Bluff, 1921 and 1923

*Historic Poplar Bluff Digital Archives | Collection Update — October 2026*

**Two more original editions of *The Bluff*, Poplar Bluff High School's historic yearbook, have joined the growing Historic Poplar Bluff Digital Archives.**

The newly acquired 1921 and 1923 volumes offer another glimpse into the students, teachers, activities, and everyday experiences of Poplar Bluff more than a century ago. Both books have now been digitized and prepared for public exploration as part of our continuing effort to preserve the community's historical records.

Beyond their historical contents, these two surviving volumes also share an interesting detail: handwritten inscriptions that may connect them to the same student.

More Than a Collection of Photographs

An old school yearbook is easy to overlook. To its original owner, it may have been a keepsake filled with familiar faces, friendships, and memories of a particular school year.

A century later, that same book becomes something more.

Its photographs preserve the faces of people who once walked Poplar Bluff's streets. Its pages record school organizations, activities, traditions, and the names of students whose stories became part of the community's larger history.

Yearbooks can also provide valuable clues for family researchers, local historians, and anyone trying to better understand Poplar Bluff during a particular period.

Each surviving edition adds another small piece to that picture.

The Bluff, 1921: A Personal Connection to the Past

The 1921 edition is especially interesting for its physical character.

Its aged cover retains faded gold lettering and a Poplar Bluff High School emblem, while its original cord binding remains a distinctive reminder of how the book was assembled more than 100 years ago.

Inside is a handwritten inscription bearing the name **Frankie Brickell**.

But an interesting detail emerged when we examined the 1923 edition.

That volume also contains an inscription, this time reading **“Frankie ‘B’ – Jr. ’22–’23.”**

Could both inscriptions refer to the same Frankie?

It's certainly possible. The shared first name, matching initial, and proximity of the two school years suggest a connection worth considering. Although we cannot confirm that both inscriptions identify the same individual, the possibility adds an intriguing personal dimension to these surviving books.

A portrait of Frankie Brickell also appears among the historical school photographs, giving us a face to associate with the name recorded in the 1921 volume.

These small discoveries remind us that yearbooks were once personal possessions, handled, signed, and treasured by the students who lived through those school years.

More than a century later, even a brief inscription can invite new questions about the people behind the pages.

The Bluff, 1923: Another Window into Early Poplar Bluff

The 1923 edition brings its own distinctive character, with a richly textured cover, colorful lettering, and an illustrated emblem.

Its contents offer another record of Poplar Bluff High School during the early 1920s, including an alumni register extending from 1894 through 1922.

That register is particularly valuable because it reaches beyond the year of publication, providing a connection to earlier generations of Poplar Bluff students.

The volume identifies itself as the fourth edition of *The Bluff*, adding another useful detail to our understanding of the publication's early history.

The inscription referencing “Frankie ‘B’” also provides a reminder that the historical value of a yearbook isn't limited to its printed contents. Handwritten notes and other marks left by earlier readers can preserve personal details that would otherwise disappear.

Preserving the Originals, Sharing the Contents

Both yearbooks were acquired for the Historic Poplar Bluff Collection on October 3, 2026. The 1923 volume was digitized on October 4, followed by the 1921 edition on October 12.

Each digital edition includes archival information intended to help future readers understand the publication, the surviving physical copy, and its preservation history.

Our goal is not simply to collect old books or photographs. It is to make historical material accessible while reducing unnecessary handling of fragile originals.

Digital preservation also allows more people to explore these materials, whether they are searching for a family member, researching a local story, or simply curious about what life in Poplar Bluff looked like generations ago.

A Growing Historical Resource

The addition of these two volumes is another step in the continuing development of the Historic Poplar Bluff Digital Archives.

There are still gaps in the historical record, and many publications, photographs, and documents remain scattered among private collections, family keepsakes, and forgotten storage spaces.

Every surviving piece has the potential to contribute something worthwhile.

We hope that making these materials available will not only encourage people to explore Poplar Bluff's past, but also remind them of the importance of preserving the historical items still in their possession.

Explore the Yearbook Collection

The **1921 and 1923 editions of *The Bluff*** are now available to explore through our website.

Visit **HistoricPoplarBluff.com** and navigate to:

**Research → Yearbooks**

Browse the growing collection, look for familiar family names, and discover a little more about the people who helped shape our community.

Browse the 1921 and 1923 editions in the yearbook collection →

*Preserving the pieces that tell our story.*

**Historic Poplar Bluff**