Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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V u f R. L. BUTTERFIELD, 1910 . . $ T In the Charlotte High School Cata- logue for 1914-15 the following histor- ical sketch appears: “The first school in Charlotte was kept in a little frame building on Broadway near Latta street. It was abandoned in 1837, when a one-room brick build- ing was erected on Stutson Street. This served for over thirty years until the acquisition of the triangular plot of ground at the intersection of Broadway and River streets provided more roomy quarters and additional instructors. Here in 1869 the northern part of the present grade building was erected and occupied, Wm. M. Richmond with two assistants first conducting school there. When the union school movement and the demand for free academic educa- tion began to be felt, the people of Charlotte willingly responded and on December 14, 1892, the Regents of the University of the State of New York granted a charter to the academic de- partment of the Charlotte Un:on School. On October 1, 1895, the south wing of the building was completed at a cost of $5,324. The faculty of five was then increased to seven and, two years later, to nine. On December 7, 1897, a full high school charter was obtained. By 1899 the rooms had become so crowded that half-day sessions were Accessary and additional room was hired outside the school building. In 1907 a separate high school build.ng was erected at a cost of $26,500. This accommodates 150 pupils and is modern and thorough- ly equipped in all details. A faculty of thirteen is now required to carry on the work of instruction. The following have served as principals since the establishment of the academic depart- ment: E. J. Manley.................1892-1898 Frederick K. Place...........1898-1899 Herbert G. Reed...............1899-1905 Howard N. Tolman 1905-1910 R. L. Butterfield 1910- This is all ancient history. The present era begins with— R. L. Butterfield.............1910-..... At that time the Academic Depart- ment or the high school consisted of fifty-five students. It had been built three years earlier to accommodate 150 students and at that time was able to boast Charlotte High School has ex- cellent buildings, superb equipment, and a faculty composer! entirely of ex- perienced and successful teachers.” There were three high school teachers in addition to the principal! The changes that have come about during the twenty years of Mr. But- terfield’s principalship are very great. In 1916, when this school became a part of the Rochester school system, enrollment had increased to 133; it is now 666. Still greater have been the changes in variety of subjects offered and methods of instruction. Though we can no longer boast of our excel- lent buildings and superb equip- ment,” we can (or could if we would) boast of what, to Mr. Butterfield, has been of infinitely greater importance —the excellent character and superb attainments of Charlotte High School students and alumni. That most of this is due to the influence of Mr. Butter- field, hundreds of students, present and past, could testify. Mr. Butterfield came to Charlotte High School in 1910 from Lyndon ville, the second school of which he had been principal. He is a graduate of Cort- land Normal and received his degree from the University of Rochester. He has also done graduate work at Colum- bia University. Though school work is only one of the many fields in which 23

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THE WITAN R. E. ItlTtKKKlKI.H 22

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THE YV I T A N CHARLOTTE TEACHING STAFF IN 1913 First grade through fourth year high school inclusive. Six of these were high school teachers. Back ivite: Miss Ella A. Tier sax, Miss Mary R Goff. Miss Kuna 15. Bough ton. Mr. Roy L Butterfieu . Mrs. Christ ink Pride Abnott. Miss Smith Mrs. Katherine Cummings Dalton. Front raw: Mhs. Edna Rile Manchester. Miss Bessie Beari». Miss Margaret Fum- ing . Mrs. May Green Blank, Miss Julia Haley, Miss Harriet Joslin . • Deceased. 24