Barringer High School - Athenaeum Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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FRUTH ... HONOR ... LIGHT HU'.H SCHOOL 1838-1966 ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND DEDICATION TO PUBLIC EDUCATION One hundred years ago the City of Newark was a small, sleepy town of sixteen thousand inhabitants,—a population less than the total number of pupils in our high schools today Far out on the edge of town was swamp, now Branch Brook Park, our glorious campus. Near there was an old quarry, called goat hill. the site of Barringer High School. Education progressed slowly. The original charter provided for the annual election of a School Committee and authorued the Common Council to raise money, by tax. for the schooling of the poor. John Catlm was the first school master. Only parents who could pay for his services could send their children to his home to be taught. In 1714, a school house was established by the community. It was located on the south side of Market Street. Later a second school house was built on Orange Street. In 1775, an Academy was built but it accepted only the pupils whose parents could pay for their board and lodging. By 1820. Newark had five ward.” or district school houses. If was in the First Ward School that the first high school of our city was started in 1838. It was a high school for boys only. Thus Newark goes on record for the establishment of the third high school in the United States.. The original high school house was actually only the first story of a building on Bank Street. It had only one teacher, a Mr. Nathan Hedges, who exercised complete and undisputed authority over his ninety-one pupils. These pupils were admitted on certificate from the School Com- mittee of the Common Council. The first pupils, eleven of whom were orphans, came from poor, destitute homes. In the early nineteenth century public schools were not generally considered as fit places for the education of children of refinement! The courses of study, however, were not specified by the School Committee. Therefore, the curriculum was determined solely by Mr. Hedges; who followed his own whim and fancy in the rearing of h« charges. This first high school master, teacher, principal and disciplinarian found it not easy to bring nearly one hundred boys to toe the mark. Because of his strict regulations and frequent punishments he was hated by his pupils and feared by their parents. In 1838, a Female Department was established in connection with the Female Union School on Harrison Street. A few years later, a Board of Education was created for the purpose of founding a public school system The Outstanding extravagance, in 1852. was the purchase of a lot (90-fcet front) on the comer of Washington and Linden Streets for the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. This site was set aside for the erection of a high school building. It was begun that summer and completed the following year, 1854. The new school was dedicated in a ceremony of prayers and addresses before an assembled audience of the Board of Education, city officials and many citizens. On January 7. 1853, though still incomplete, this new building was

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A T H E N BARRINGER HIGH SCHOOL NEWARK, NEW JERSEY CLASS OF 1966

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opened as a high schol. with a pupil membership of four hundred and ninety-eight boys and girls. The building had three stories. The second floor was used exclusively by the girls, the top or third floor only by the boys. Thus the boys and girls were separated into two distinct departments and were not permitted to mingle either during or after school hours. Isaiah Peckham was the first principal of Newark High School. Eliza Chase was appointed Head of the Female Department. The schedule and curriculum of this school were unique, if viewed in the light of present-day secondary education. For admission to the high school a pupil had to be proficient in his elementary school studies; able to present a record of high attendance and good conduct; be vaccinated; and able to pass an entrance examination. The course of study in high school included chemistry, bookkeeping, physiology. Latin, Greek and English literature. The hours were from nine to five for five days a week and the summer vacation was only the month of August. The school holidays were New Year's. July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Student organizations and periodicals were established in the new high school. In 1862. the building on Linden Street was enlarged. For twenty years the first floor there had been used as the headquarters of volunteer fire forces. This year marked the first graduation of Newark High School. It was held in Library Hall. The program was a long one devoted to essays, orations and songs. Two years later, when there were thirty graduates, the ceremony took place in the Halsey Street Methodist Church. The time when the high school was to have an assembly hall of its own was a long way off. Dr. Edmund Hovey was made principal (1871) of Newark High. He held this position until 1900 The enrollment in the high school mounted to a total of four hundred and seventy-eight pupils. In 1875, Dr. Barringer succeeded Mr. Sears as Superintendent of Schools. He came to Newark from Troy. New York, a young man enthusiastic over his new work. The effort, courage and faith he gave the Newark school system exerted great influence on the youth of our city. By 1886 the enrollment in the high school was so large that Dr. Barringer was able to persuade the Board of Education to enlarge the building. Nineteen rooms were added. An annex was hired for the high school girls. In 1890. through the efforts of Dr. Barringer, an Evening High School was opened in the building on Washington and Linden Streets. A Technical School was opened. Its first quarters were in rented rooms on West Park Street, but it was later moved to High Street. Finally, in 1895. the high school became so crowded that the girls were again transferred, this time to the Technical school. The Board of Education realized that a new high school was very necessary. Dr. Barringer saw his dream fulfilled when plans for a new high school building were officially adopted. The site selected was the remote goat hill, far away from the center of the city, now the comer of Ridge Street and Park Avenue. Many citizens objected to this location. protesting that the city would not grow so far. particularly in that direction. The plans for this new school (begun in 1897) called for thirty-eight rooms and a large auditorium. The closing years of the high school in its old location (Washington and Linden Streets) were active in many respects. New courses were added. Students were reclassified. Many new clubs and societies were introduced. To distinguish Newark High on the athletic field, high school colors were adopted in 1892. Each teachcf and pupil cast a vote in this matter. An overwhelming majority selected blue and white. A pin was adopted. It was a silver shield with a white band across it bearing the initials N.H.S. Thus, by the turn of the century. Newark High had attained considerable character and personality. The new school, begun in 1897, was completed in 1899. The building cost $300,000. It was regarded as among the finest architectural products of the city. At that time work was just beginning on Sacred Heart Cathedral and the swamp which is now Branch Brook Park. Thus, the high school was set on a veritable acropolis of beauty. It was in 1900 that Mr. Wayland E. Stearns, better known as Pop” Stearns became principal of Newark High. He was gentle, understanding. progressive and greatly beloved by all who knew him. Under his guidance, new courses were arranged. College Preparatory. English. General, Commercial, and American History were added to the schedule. Minors began to appear. The name of Newark High was officially changed to Barringer to honor Dr. Barringer in 1907. The new name was used reluctantly by the pupils who clung to Newark High s; z matter of habit in conversation and cheers. However, when Central High was opened in February, 1912. Barringer High became a more popular name among the pupils there. The first class to graduate under that name was that of July. 1907. Barringer became so crowded that half sessions had to be put into its school day. Its enrollment was 2000. Two annexes for Barringer pupils were opened in 1908; one on Market Street and one on State Street. A new gymnasium to be used for both boys and girls was built adjoining Barringer. The old gym was turned into a lunch room. Despite two world wars, the growing population, industrial booms, space age and all other events pertinent to our parents' generation and our generation; Barringer stood on old Goafs Hill proud and noble. For a long while plans were made to construct a new high school, which would house many more students and offer them a more complete curriculum. Finally in September. 1965, 2400 students began the new school year, in a brand new Barringer which was equipped with college preparatory, commercial, and vocational training opportunities. The old Newark High was not any longer a neighborhood school. It had now become an integral part of a still growing city. Barnnger High School 1966 wills to her students not only a sound education, but a sense of tradition and proud history.