Ferndale High School - Reflector Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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' F ERN DALE FIRE December ll, 1936, marks the date of the disastrous fire which burned the Ferndale Grade School building. When the blaze was first discovered, few rc- garded it as serious, and -even several times during the first hour, firemen an- nounced that it was under control. Scarce- ly any one believed that the fire would reach the astounding proportions that it did. Miss Jessie Statler, who was adjusting the shades in her home room in the high school some time before eight o'clock in the morning, suddenly noticed smoke is- suing from the building across the street. She investigated at once, and immediately called the fire department. In so far as it happened at such an early hour, there were very few people in the high school building and none in the other. Within a few minutes, the Ferndale Fire Company arrived, and twenty minutes later there were seven other departments on the scene-Johnstown, Conemaugh, Franklin, Dale, Lorain, Westmont, and Southmont. ln spite of all the equipment, however, little could be accomplished be- cause of apparent low water pressure. By the time water was supplied, the fire had gained such headway that under no circumstances could it be checked. About noon the entire structure had been burned out except for one or two rooms along Henry street. Shortly afterwards the wall facing Summit Avenue came crashing to the ground. Throughout the morning, the firemen fought the blaze bravely, during which time the roof had collapsed in several places. By three o'clock in the afternoon, it was necessary to blow up the chimney to prevent its falling and jeopardizing the lives of those in that vicinity. The loss of building and equipment, estimated at 847,000 was cov- ered by insurance.

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HISTORY OF FERNDALE SCHOOLS The beginning of the Ferndale schools takes us back one-half cen- tury, to shortly after the .lohnstown Flood. As a result of that disaster the community started to develop, and late in November, 1839, the first school building was opened. It was a one- rcom, unplastered, wooden structure, with Mr. Norman E. Berkey as the ,,,.,l,,,. I,,,imi,,g wo, 191.7 only teacher and fifty boys and girls as his pupils. With the growth of population, it became necessary in 1905 to add another story to the original inadequate edifice. The school at this time consisted of two teachers, Miss Hose Brubaker and Miss Catherine Keefe and seventy-six pupils. ln 1911, on account of over-crowded conditions, the seventh and eighth grades were moved to the 1Vlunicipal Hall on Vickroy Avenue. A four-room, light- brick structure was erected in 1912, and a teaching staff of five members was employed. The following year, a one-year high school was started, with four pupils. a class which increased to six in 1914. By 1916 an addition of six rooms was necessary to accommodate the enrollment of 250 students. lt was in 1924 that one-half of the present high school building was com- pleted to care for the 123 senior high school pupils as well as the seventh and eighth grades. ln 1928, the present auditorium and gymnasium were completed. giving the students and citizens of Ferndale better educational opportunities. ln accordance with the progressive program under way, a Home Economics department was added in 1931 and four years later a boys' general shop was in- stalled in the grade building. The closing chapter in this history deals with the disastrous grade school fire, December 11. 1936. Beginning the next week, the Ferndale School system began operating on a new schedule. Grades seven to twelve attended the first session from 8:00 A. Nl. to 12:00 noon, while grades one to six assembled from 12:30 to 4:30. lt also became neces- sary to schedule extra-curricular activi- ties of the high school in the afternoon. High school clubs and assemblies were done away with and that time was utilized for additional class periods. Although this was a serious blow to the Ferndale School system, the new building, now in construction, is a challenge to better educational facili- ties in the future. . I D Grade lilllltllllg' 1911!---15131:

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