Dunkirk High School - Ivy Tower Yearbook (Dunkirk, NY)

Page 8 text:

'7!w Sdwa! ,uw of me ffwf

Page 10 text:

always - ,aasazaaz A Dunkirk High School, of which we are so justly proud today, has a long and interesting history. It was not built in a day by one generation, but represents, rather, the dreams, ideals, and aspirations of literally thousands of inspired citizens. Early records show that when the first settlers came here in about 1805, they brought with them the precious light of knowledge. It was small and flicker- OL1, ACADEMY ing, it is true, but it has always kept glowing and has grown brighter and brighter as the years have gone by. The first school in this community of which we have definite information was a two- story brick structure, built in 1827, on the south side of Third Street between Central and Washington Avenues. Up to 1835, only elementary subjects were taught there. Persons inter- ested in higher education attended one of the private schools in the village or walked to Fre- donia where the one academy in Chautauqua County was located. As Dunkirk grew, the de- mand for the brighter light of higher education increased. Finally in 1837, legislation was passed to organize the Dunkirk Academy. This Academy for twenty years occupied the second floor of the schoolhouse on Third Street. It was a private institution, and therefore little is known today about the work that was done there. After the completion of the Erie Railroad, the village of Dunkirk expanded most rapidly, and by 1855 OLD BUILDING 1896 page eight