Lancaster High School - Vidette Yearbook (Lancaster, PA)

Page 18 text:

41- .45 nr in... A STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS HIGH SCHOOL

Page 17 text:

Couvtcsy of Lancnsrcv Newspapers OLD Bovs' HIGH SCHOOL

Page 19 text:

A Brief History of the Boys' High School in Lancaster The first Boys' Iligh School was founded in 1780 by John Yates, however, due to the ill 'temper of the teachers the school was closed. In 1787 1+'i-ankliu fiollege was instituted, which later led to the organization of the Lancaster County Academy: from the academy evolved the present high school system in 1840. The first building was situated at the rear of the First Presbyterian Ohurch on East Orange Street. This was the humble beginning of 'the second oldest boys' high school in Pelmsylvanih. In 1850 the site was changed to Uhestnut and Prince Stree't's and remained here until 1876. Samuel E. SV. Becker, a noted linguist. was one of the tirst principals. He was succeeded in 1857 by John S. Crumbaugh, who was succeeded by William Van Lear Davis. who was in turn followed in 1864 by Dr. J. P. Mctfaskey, commonly known as. Old Jack. Dr. McCaskey served ably and well for 50 years. It was during this time that the school was moved to its present site i11 1870. Previous to Ilr. MctTaskey's principalship, Rev. tfoliburn served, and it was he who introduced the spring and fall observance of Arbor Day into the Pennsylvania schools. In 1906 Dr. McCaskey was succeeded by A. IG. Kraybill, who resigned ill 1908, and was succeeded by li. W. Fisher. who served until 1930. It was during this period that 'the present building' was dedicated in 1915. The fountain in front was presented by A. C. Welchans, who also directed the building of the school. In 1032 Mr. B. B. II0l'l' took over the otiice of principal and has receintly been elected principal of the John Picrsol Mctfaskey Memorial High School. Retrospection May 27, 190-I was an ideal day, and an important one in the school history of Lan- caster, for it was 'on that day 'that the new Stevens High School was dedicated .Lo the people of Lancaster in lll0llIOI'X of the great advocate of education, 'Fhaddeus Stevens. Teachers and pupils of all the city schools assembled to witness the laying of the cornerstone at the location of what was to become the most lavishly constructed high school for gi1'ls in the State of Pennsylvania. In honor of 'the occasion. a program was arranged as follows: Music by the High School Orchestra. directed by Professor Carl 'l'horbahn. Invocation, Reverend Emil Meister. . Vocal IIIIISIC by 'the Boys' and Girls' High Schools. directed by Professor t'arl Matz. Laying of the cornerstone by Honorable David Mt-Mullen. President lof Lancaster School Board. Music by the combined High Schools. Address by Honorable Nathan C. Schaeifer. State Supt. of Public Instruction. Benediction, Reverend J. H. Dubbs, President of I+'ranklin and Marshall. Music by High School Orchestra. I11to this ctornerstonef wvere placed the following articles: List of tea-chers and janitors, and their salaries: city clerk's manual: copies of the Intelligencer Journal, Examiner, Morning News, and New Era papers publis,hed in this city: copy of the dedicaltion exercises and the annual report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It was not until January, 15206. however. thai the six teachers, namely: Rachel I . Jackson, Ida Ii. MacMillan, Bella Weikzel, Mary M. Musselman. Clara U. Gompf and Kate Sheetz and their pupils moved into the new building with Dr. Ezra M. Sparlin, of Rochester, New York, as its tirst principal. Carl Matz and Carl Thorbahn were in charge of the music department of both 'the boys' and girls' schools, followed by Miss Margaret Humphreville, who later became Supervisor of Music in the city schools. I11 1910. Dr. Sparlin resigned his position to enter the real estate business in Roch- ester, and Mr. H. E. Slagen was elected to till the vacancy then created. The curriculum of the Stevens Ilitgh School then was much 'the same as it is today, but extra-curricular activities differed in many respects, Varsity athletics, for example, were carried on i11 the old Franklin and Marshall College gymnasium. now the campus house, and whole-hcar'tedly supported by the student body as a major part of the sehool's activities. Today, however, varsity athletics are no longer a part of the physical edu- cation program i11 the girls' building. During the years 1916 and 1917, high school boys moved to Stevens High School while a new building was being erected for 'them to relieve crowded conditlions. and extra-curricular activities and study periods were abolished, so that they could attend classes from 8:00 to 12:15 and the girls from 1 :00 to 5:15. In September, 1920. Dr. Stacy H. Peters, became principal of Steveins High School and remained i11 that position until September 1937, when the school was declared the girls' building of the John Piersol Mct'askey Hifrh School headed by Professor Benjamin B. Herr, former principal of the Boys' Building. w