History of Field Kindley High School

     The first high school in Coffeyville was actually located at the corner of 10th and Willow Streets, it's name ... Washington Public High School.  This school opened its doors in 1907.  Students were educated in this building until 1931 when Field Kindley Memorial High School opened.  Wendel Willkie, an unsuccessful presidential candidate against President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, taught as an instructor at Washington Public School in 1913 and 1914, teaching history and athletics.
     Field Kindley High School construction started in 1929, and was completed in 1931 and dedicated to the memory of Field Kindley.
     The building cost $400,000 to build in 1931, which is approximately $3,985,100.99 now, adjusting for inflation.
     Field Kindley has changed over the years as times have changed, but still stands strong.  The courses now include offerings from the local community college, Coffeyville Community College   Courses offered include those on campus as well as those offered at the college's Technical Division, which is located close to the school.  Partnerships with local businesses and the City of Coffeyville have allowed our students to actually participate in the workforce as part of preparing students for the future.  FKHS also has a new alternative high school, New Alternative Directional Opportunities, which is commonly referred to as NADO.
     Field Kindley Memorial High School continues to change and meet the needs of all students who walk through the halls of the building.

Who was Field Kindley?

On March 13, 1896,  in the little town of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, a boy who was later to become one of the greatest air aces of his time, Field Kindley was born.  In the early years of his life he attended the grammar school of of Gravitte, Arkansas.  As a young man he came to Coffeyville where he worked with Mr. Perry in a local theater.  
     When the war broke out, Mr. Kindley enlisted as and soon became a first lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps.  He ranked as the fourth American Ace with twelve German planes and one balloon to his credit.  He received citations and medals from practically every allied nation that participated in the war.  He received the Distinguished Flying Cross of England and the Distinguished Service Cross of the United States, the highest honors that these nations can award any individual.  People who saw him in stunting exhibitions with Eddie Rickenbacker and other well-known aces said that Captain Kindley's skill in handling his plane even exceeded that of Captain Rickenbacker, the foremost American Ace.  
     Field Kindley was killed in a airplane accident February 1, 1920 at Kelley Field, San Antonio, Texas.  In 1929 the new Coffeyville high school building was named Field Kindley as a memorial to him.  His picture is mounted ion the first floor corridor.  The school was dedicated on Friday, March 6, 1931