Duluth Central High School - Zenith Yearbook (Duluth, MN)

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Inlistory of D.CJALS. HE organization of the school district of Duluth dates back to April 10,1870. The following year, D. R. Haynes was elected as the first superintendent of schools. There were many changes of superintendent, however, until R. E. Denfeld was appointed to the office in 1885. The first mention of a high school is found in the ree- ords of the Board of Education for 1872. Seven years later, two three-year high school courses were organized, the graduating class of 1879 having two members. The Washington building, then on the site of our present institution, was occupied by the high school in 1883. In 1887 the school was moved to the building now known as the Liberty school. The first sessions were held in the present building in 1891. In 1895 a clock was put in the tower and after the Spanish-American War, a cannon was brought from San Juan and placed in front of the school. Enrollment in the High School numbered fifty-two in 1883; in 1894, four hundred, with agraduating class of thirty-two students; now, in 1920, there is an attendance of eleven hundred and a graduating class of one hundred eighty-nine members. The “Tiger,” the first annual published at the school, made its appearance in 1894. In this we find a history of the school up to that time. According to the account room 206 was the senior session room, while the rooms on the first floor were used for a grade school. Four organ- izations were then active in the school: the High School Musical Society, the Athletic Association and two literary societies—the Adelphic and the Olympic. Everyone in the school belonged to one of these literary clubs and much rivalry existed between the two organizations. The following year the Banjo Club and the Girls Athletic Association were formed. The editor of the “Tiger” dis- played asense of humor, for in that book appeared a picture of Mr. A. F. M. Custance with a full head of hair. As late as 1903 there were still a few locks, but since then he has had pulled them all out. The first “Zenith,” the successor of the “Tiger,” was published in 1895 at the price of twenty-five cents a copy. Stories and poems formed the major part of the book. We are given the impression that the Zenith board was distinctly

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NOLONIHSUM

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a socialorganizationfor the records read that the members held parties nearly every week. The “Zenith” of ’04 was the best up to its time for it contained not only the name and picture of each senior, but likewise a complimentary line about him and his activities. This Zenith was the first to print pictures of the various athletic teams. In 1900, during a forty-five minute visit to Duluth, President McKinley addressed an immense crowd in front of the High School. The president’s “limousine” was a coach drawn by four gray horses. A cane rush, a custom which was practised for a num- ber of years, was held for the first time in 1901. The victors that year were freshmen. In 1892 Mr. Custance organized the High School Musical Society, the music of the school becoming volun- tary asa result. Starting with a membership of thirty, the society became so popular that the number soon increased to one hundred fifty. It was the largest and best musical organization in the city. The music of the school embraced chorus work of all kinds: part songs, glees, oratorio, opera, and music of a more popular trend, with orchestral accom- paniment. The High School Choir, an adjunct of this so- ciety, rendered hymns and anthems at all chapel exercises. The society gave four or five concerts each year, at least two of which were public concerts free of charge. On these occasions, solos were given by local artists and an explana- tion of the numbers on the program preceded the music. The society assisted in concerts given by other musical or- ganizations in the city. Many of themembers of this Society held prominent parts in the various choirs and musical or- ganizations of the city. The custom of holding an annual auction originated in the early days. At the end of the school year, the various articles found in the school, such as overshoes, umbrellas, pocketbooks, ete., were auctioned off. Mr. Rudolph, a former instructor at Central, used to wear bedroom slip- pers around school. These slippers and bottles of hair-re- storer for Mr. Custance took the big bids at the auction. The receipts from one of the auctions totaled $30.05. In recent years, candy, pennants, pillows, posters, and blankets have been made for the auction and it has grown until this year’s total, which exceeds all former records, was $886. It must be understood that every cent taken in at these auctions goes to buy dinners for.the poor of our city. . Having in mind all the traditions and customs which the history of the schools reveals, we have sought to foster. throughout the school year, the true Duluth Central High School spirit of enthusiasm and good will. |