Central High School - Cehisean Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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SENIOR WORLD JAMES E. MARSHALL

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VW i sEN1oR WORLD -7 Central liigb Scbool Most of us who know Central High School today, do not think of it as an experiment or a venture capable of failing, but back in the days of Central's establishment, many were the doubts as to its length of existence. In the year 1866, when twelve grade school pupils signified their desire to obtain a higher education, it was considered a waste of space to give over two rooms of the old Franklin School for use as the High 'School rooms. It was done, however, and twelve students were off on their way to higher learning. Six years made a great change, not in the attitude of the pupils, how- ever, but in the size of the classes, which had now grown so large that it was necessary to move to the spacious quarters at Seventh and Jackson streets. The rooms occupied were on the second floor of the building re- cently razed to make Way for a department store. The first floor was ten- anted by a dry goods store and a fish market, and many humorous stories are told of the aromas that ascended to the second floor during a siege of warm weather. The building was also infested with rats, causing classes to .be constantly disturbed because the feminine members objected to any species of rodent, even well educated ones. But despite the many objec- tionable features, the school, like Topsy, jest growed. By 1879 the problem of building a separate school in which to house the high school students had become of paramount importance. To do this a bond issue was started, but failed. Two years later, however, after a great deal of trouble, the bond issue was passed and floated. As a result, the St. Paul 'High School was erected at Tenth and Minnesota streets. From a class of twelve students and two rooms the school had grown to one of two hundred and thirty-three students and a building of twenty-seven rooms. But the growth was only beginning then. The opponents of advanced educa- tion had by this time disappeared, and the necessary addition to the school was soon constructed. 'Several new high schools had also been built, making necessary a change in the name. Therefore, in 1898, the school, instead of being called the St. Paul High School, was named Central. By 1909 the school had outgrown its building again. The population of the city had also been growing and spreading out, so that in order to accommodate the people farther out, the corner of Lexington and Marshall avenues was selected as the site of a new building. It was suggested that the name be changed to the Lexington School, but due to the sentiment for the name by many of the former graduates, it was allowed to retain the name of Central. When the new building was opened in 1912 it was be- lieved that it would be many years before it would outgrow its capacity, but for several years it has been much too small. As a result an addition is now being planned, in which there will be a much larger and better gym- nasium, a lunch room that can adequately take care of the many students, improved forge and machine shops, and all other needed rooms. With these additions the school will have even more opportunity to improve along all lines. Here's to old Central, the good school: to the present Central, the better school, and to the future Central, the best school, -Arthur Katz.

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SENIOR WORLD JAMES E. MARSHALL Not many of us have been here for more than four years. We probably do not realize, therefore, how fortunate we are in having passed through the school routine during that time under the guidance of one man, Mr. Marshall. The address which Mr. Marshall delivered, the day of the first assembly in which he officiated, will never be forgotten by those who heard it. Simply and kindly, but with profound impression, he told us what he ex- pected of us as citizens of Central High School, and what we, in return, might expect of him. His words are still with us. Perhaps, that about his talk which impressed us most was his appeal to our sense of courtesy-his re- quest that we conduct ourselves always as young ladies and gentlemen. If we would make this our code, he said, it would be unnecessary for him to establish those detested enemies of independence, rules. He has kept his Word-the rules by which we are governed are very few. Athletics have had great encouragement under Mr. Marshall, and few of the students can boast of such regular attendance at the games as he has shown. Club and social life in the school has not been neg- lected as We may see by the number of societies and clubs now in existence and being organized. But above all things, Mr. Marshall has encouraged scholarship. For that reason the standard of scholar- ship has risen perceptibly in the time that he has acted as principal. He has encouraged the pet hobby of each one of us. has worked with us and for us, and has helped us much.