Gratz High School - Gratzonian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 10 text:

T IIE PIIBT Our school has stood as a guiding beacon on our path of life. We have learned. too. the meaning of work, and in future years we will reap the reward of all our efforts. We have been taught the principles of democracy that we in turn must prove to the rest of the world. The war has placed greater emphasis on good health and on essential facts, knowledge, and skills. It has made new and different demands which the schools are striving to meet. Upon our schools have been placed the responsibilities of teaching us the essentials of Democracy. Now it is necessary for us to use this education as a bulwark of Democracy. We must put into effect the knowledge that we have gained here so that we can show the rest of the world the value of freedom and a Democratic government for all. 0PE 6

Page 12 text:

ARCHIVES OF YESTERYEAR Our school was erected on the site of the old circus grounds. The property was formerly owned by Majcur Hatfield, who was a descendf ant of the Hatfield family and owned an ex' tensive tract of ground in this section of the city. When the school was first opened, the Hatfield mansion stood opposite the school. The school was named after Mr. Simon Gratz, who had been president of the Board of Educaf tion and a member of it for over fifty years. He was also chairman of the Board for Revision of Taxes. The school was designed in the Gothic style of architecture. It was opened in September, 1927. The dedication of the school took place on November 11, attended by approximately three thousand people. A large faculty was drawn from other high schools in the city. Some of the faculty have left to take positions in various schools as department heads or principal. The first principal of the school was Mr. Elwood Calhoun, with Miss Blanche Price as assistant. After Mr. Calhoun's death, Dr. E. Carl Werner was appointed to this position. 8