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In the 1940s and 50s, when the teachers at Collinsville School released their students to outdoor recess, the pupils walked to the exit doors in an orderly fashion ... just as they had been taught.

But, once they were outside the building? Oh-h-h, look out! It was a race to one's favorite playground activity.

And, for those students who felt the daredevil spirit, it was a sprint to the "johnnies!" Located on the north side of the building, the Johnnies were the place for the most adventuresome youngsters to swing high, fast, and wide.

In the 1944 first grade photo (below), the pole that supported the chains of flight is visible in the background.

The school's main entrance is to the left.

This was the johnnies pole, which was located at the north end of the school

These were the lunchroom windows.

...we can view images of other, similar, playground equipment and gain an understanding of how the Collinsville School "johnnies" looked and operated.

LEFT: This 1920s-era photo shows a device that used ropes for the children to hold on to, as they enjoyed a circular ride.

RIGHT: This photo shows a swivel, at the top of the pole, that supported the ropes that the children held onto, as they circled the pole.

The Collinsville School johnnies had a similar swivel at the top; but, it used metal chains - instead of rope. The ground, at the foot of the johnnies, was covered with gravel - to offset muddy conditions, when it rained.

Nostalgia aside, it seems highly unlikely that the johnnies of yesteryear would gain approval of today's safety organizations - such as the National Program for Playground Safety.

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If you have a photo of the johnnies at Collinsville school that you will share, please contact the webmaster.

BELOW:  This is NOT a photo of the Collinsville School johnnies. This is an example photo to show how children would (while holding onto the metal and wooden handles at the end of the chains that hung from the revolving device at the top of the pole) race around the pole to gain momentum, and then swing out into space for a ride around and around and around the pole - until the spinning stopped.

Then, it was time to ... do it again!

Collisville School - circa 1920s

This photo was taken at the front of the school - facing northwest. Huston Road was behind the photographer.