Lafayette High School - Oracle Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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Mr. Frank S. Fosdick, principal of Masten Park High School, with Captain Calvert K. Mellen. About this time the need for ' an actual gymnasium was felt and candy sales were held to l raise funds to build one. These candy sales were held in the auditorium which was gayly dec- orated in a violet and white color scheme. Students in booths sold candy and souve- niers such as violet and white caps and the like. The senior boys dispensed ice cream from their booth on the stage. An original play, THE GOR- GONZOLA by Lucius Pratt with original music by Paul Kellogg, was presented to make money for the gym. Bonds were sold to parents and friends of Lafayette by the students. It was noted that one girl gave a dollar which she had saved by walking to school and back from Hertel Avenue. Because land was not available for building the gym, efforts were turned toward the construction of the Lafayette field. This new athletic field, on Delaware Avenue, just north of Hertel, was dedicated November 23, 1907. It in- cluded a diamond, track and courts as well as a gridiron. Its twenty-eight bleachers accommodated 2500 people. Unfortunately the financial difficulties involved were so great that during the First World War the Lafayette field had to be given up. When Masten Park High School burned in March 1912, Lafayette invited Masten Park students and teachers, led by Mr. Frank S. Fosdick, to share their facilities. Lafayette students attended morning sessions and Masten Park students came in the afternoon from 1912-1914 while Masten was being rebuilt. As the enrollment continued to rise, additional facilities were needed. The lunchroom under the auditorium A candy me in the assembly- in which Mr. Johnson, popular custodian had S, , sold wieners and sweet buns when the school first opened, was long since outmoded, In 1920 construction was begun on the addition to the building which was opened for use in the fall of 1921. The added space provid- ed for a modern cafeteria, gymnasium, pool, home making department, enlarged quarters for the science and art departments, and a photographic laboratory. On November 18, 1938 this section of the building was named Memorial Hall and was dedicated to Lafay- ette graduates who had died in the service of their country during World War I. So through the years Lafayette's traditions and activities continued. On June 12, 1928, a Silver Anniver- sary Dinner was held at which Mr. Detmers and Captain Mellen in turn conducted an f assembly as each did in school. At the 11

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' flkmorzkf CZMIIKV dbvul Thy Brzgfaz' Hall! CHE history of Lafayette High School actually began in i899 when West High School, an annex to Central High School, was opened as a part of elementary school eight- een. Under Principal Arthur Detmers, many of Lafayette's songs and traditions were formed. As the demand for high school training increased, Buffalo's two high schools, Central and Masten Park, became overcrowded and finally plans for a third high school were drawn. From thirty-two plans, including an oil painting, a committee chose that of Esenwein and Johnson. The site of the new school was Lafayette Avenue and Baynes Street, a piece of land described as meadow land fair. The building was to be of the Renaissance style built in the shape of a block E with the back of the letter fronting on Lafayette Avenue. Continued dis- cussion over the ventilating system resulted in supplying each student with not less than 30,000 cubic feet of air per hour. The original building has a tower rising l50 feet, contains 698 windows, and was built to accommodate l400 students. Finally on July 4, 1901, the ground was broken by Mr. Augustus Scheu, Superintendent Emerson, and more than a dozen other notables. Then Mr. Emerson, Mr. Philip Becker Goetz, andothers made speeches. Suggested names, West High and Jesse Ketchum High, were discarded in favor of Lafayette High School because of its lo- cation. The school was officially opened an September lO, i903 with a first day's attendance of l,050, of which 77 were possible seniors. Mr. Detmers with a faculty of thirty-six members began making Lafayette history in what was then the finest and most artistic school building in the city. Lafayette was now a real school with its colors, violet and white, its motto, Be strong and of a good courage, suggested by the principal, and an emblem in the form of a Guardian Angel designed by a student, Lawrence Hirshburg. In June l906, Mr. Detmers resigned to become an instructor at the Hill School in Pottsdam, Pennsylvania, and Captain Calvert K. Mellen, instructor of mathematics at Central High School, was appointed to succeed him. A circus at Lafayette Field. Cap Mellen, as he was fondly called, served faithfully as principal until retirement in l934. He made a lasting impression on the school, the faculty, and every student who ever came under his influence. Q I V lt was at this time that Lafayette developed many tra- 3 if il ditions such as the Arbor Day Program, led by the sen- ' ior boys, which included a play in May l908. The traditional Memorial Day Program, led by the senior girls, was inaugurated on May 29, l9l3. Senior re- ceptions were held by the faculty for several years. At the reception on April 20, i907 the faculty trans- formed the entrance hall and assembly room, which at that time had movable seats, into a cozy place with tables, chairs, love seats, pillows, and rugs. IO

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close of the assembly an Alumni Association was formed. Mr. Edwin B. Dietrich was elected first president of the association on June 21, 1928. Mr. Frank R. Gott became principal in 1934 when Captain Mellen retired. As assistant principal to Mr. Mellen for the previous nine years, he had come to hold Captain in the highest esteem. Frequently Mr. Gott graciously welcomed Mr. Mellen to arouse enthusiasm during football assemblies or to participate in traditional Lafayette observances. He joined in appreciation of Captain's recitation of Edgar Guest's Somebody said itcould- n't be done. Mr. Gott has served faithfully and devotedly, ev- er striving to instill in the students the high standards and ideals of Lafayette. During Mr. Gott's time an annual Junior-Senior Prom and Armistice Day Program, under the direction of the iun- iors, have been added to the year's observances and the alumni association has been reinvigorated. Physical changes have taken place about the school also.The clinic on the fourth floor was moved to the assistant principal's office on the first floor. The assistant principal's office was moved to the room next to the main office and counselors' offices were opened next door. The library, formerly at this location, was moved directly above on the second floor. The hand bell system has been replaced by the electric bell system but the hand bell is still used in times of emergency. The air pressure clocks were changed to electric ones, and were taken out of the rooms and placed in the corridors. The auditorium was repainted in 1949 and the entire in- terior of the school was decorated in attractive pastel colors in 1952. At the same time the rooms were renumbered. The front lawn was landscaped and enclosed by an iron fence in 1950. Cap at his desk Even the approach to the school has changed. Since October 1952, students crossing Colonial Circle have admired the statue of General Bidwell, for whom the adiacent parkway was named. The courses of study have changed from chiefly college entrance to commercial. For many years, there was on- ly one business teacher but now there are six. Additional facilities have been provided for the commercial courses such as two typing rooms. Boys have enioyed wood work and cabinet making classes under the direction of Mr. Ko- lassa for twenty-five years. ln the fall of 1951, an additional shop was opened which provided for training in print ing, plastics, and ceramic making, under the guidance of Mr. Temlitz. Also in the fall of 1951, the study room system was changed to one in which the students are divided into more than thirty roll call rooms. During the First World War Captain Mellen trained two companies of men. We see one company here shoulder ing wooden guns. 1 12