Central High School - Central Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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CENTRAL IN UN

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Htfitory uf drijonl The early forties of the nineteenth century was u time of strife. Several different kinds of battles characterized the age. One of these was the Mexican War, which was at that time only brewing. The struggle which interests us most is that between light and darkness, between knowledge and ignorance, between advancement and degradation. The poor, perceiving their children's plight in the future, fought for intellectual wisdom. The rich for obvious reasons fought against the enlightening of the needy. They fought—in vain. Those who desired an education for their posterity found a worthy and able leader in the person of Charles Brndburn, who. though opposed by the most wealthy and influential of the town, was aided by the newly elected mayor, George lleadly, ond the council in passing a resolution authorizing the wished-for high school. A sufficient fund of money which would permit the building of the proposed high school could not be raised. A a result of this, the second oldest free high school in the country was compelled to hold its classes (a single class then) in the basement of the Old University Church, at whnt is now Prospect and East Eighth Streets. The first term was begun with an enrollment of 34 students. At the finish of the year 83 pupils answered the daily roll call. No girl wax yet allowed to attend. Andrew Freese, one of the best teachers of the grammar schools, was put at the head of the new institution. His salary was $500 per year. His sole assistant was his wife, who worked free of charge. At the beginning of the year 1847, it was decided the curriculum would be so changed that girls could take a course, nltho the general sentiment was against it. os the time renowned words of Principal Freese corroborate: “Fourteen girls were admitted this term and they are not up to standard. 1 doubt the wisdom of admitting girls to high school at all. Later, however, he changed his decision, and decided thnt members of the weaker sex might even occupy their time with algebra, which heretofore had not been allowed them. In 1832 the need of more instructors compelled the city to add several more teachers to the payroll. The work of the pedagogues was by no means simple and easy, ns some of the subjects taught were astronomy, aurveving, geology, philosophy, and other subjects which arc now taught only in college. The class of 1855 was the first to have graduation exercises and receive diploma . In 1856 the school was moved to Euclid and East 9th Street. It was situated on the present site of the Citizens Bldg. This colloquial museum of knowledge was visited by educator of the whole middle west, ond was praised and commented on by them. This new school was a permanent stone and brick bniiding. It was dedicated on April 1 of that year by one of the teachers. The high school had a seating capacity of 150. each seat being accompanied by a desk. The cost was $20,000. In the year 1878 it was made the new home of the Cleveland Public Library. The school was at that time moved to its present site, then the outskirts of the prosperous village of Cleveland. The plan of the new building was one selected after crest deliberation from the works of several prominent architects. In 1866. a new system of teaching was put into effect. The freshmen ull had the same teacher, while the advanced

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student recited in the old way. that i», they had a aepar-ate instructor for each subject. The next several yean left no important mark on the school. Classes came and classes went, but senool gained more and more renown os the head of mid-west educational circles. In the fall of 1882 the students of Central first became acquainted with Mr. Edward L. Harris, our present principal. At Central he was first in charge of the mathematics department. In the early part of the year 1887. Mr. Harris returned to West High, where he was employed as'instructor m Greek and mathematics before he became affiliated with his present school. Two years later, at the death of M S. Campbc I. Mr. Harris returned, and was awarded with the position of Principal of the eldest free high school west of the Allezhenie . In the early nineties an athletic league was formed between Central, West, and University. Mr. Harris at that time p’aycd on the football varsity, while West High had three of its eleven who were instructors. University was no different, and had a line composed of truck-drivers. Central. throughout all these years, has never lost a football game to West. At the beginning of the year 1902, the first summer school opened, mainly through the efforts of one principal. The teacher's pay was 8100 for the term. However, Mr. Harris' work was given gratis. The first manual training shop was an old barn on East 46th Street. In the year 1912, havoc was wrecked upon the school when our principal was called away to accept a position as assistant superintendent in the foreign district. He held that office until the autumn of 1917, when he returned to Old Central’' as principal. The class of 19 6 wav the last class to graduate during athletic depression, 'i tie year l9lb saw the defeat of our closest rival, formed oy the crowded conditions of the school, East High. In mat season two sophomores wrote their names on the honor roll of Central athletics. Frank Civiletto at Dunn Field, placed the ball between the post in fhe last minute of play from the 28-yard line. Fred Schoff, who came to an untimely end during the summer after his graduation, was Civiletto's companion on the stellar road. The honois earned by the old school in educational realms can never be surpassed by the glory of any other institution, 'ihe Central basketball varsity of 191b reaped the harvest of good playing. The team was the champion of the (juad Senate, and Middle West. For three successive seasons our teams were the best. 1918 saw the begining and the formation of the plans for the Diamond Jnbilee. which was to be held in 1921. Committees were formed and work was begun. The Jubilee Year b the name given to 1921. that year which saw the climax of the efforts of the mid-west's greatest educational center, the efforts of Cleveland, for over 7.' years, and the aid of our leader. Mr. Harris, for almost 35 winters. The success, the honor, the glory of the school in whatever form it may be can only be measured by what Mr. Harris has done for it. The school can be proud of nothing unless that name. Edward I.. Harris, is mentioned with that glory. Central High School. Edward L. Harris, and the Diamond .Inbilee are synonomous terms for what Webster says is success.