Middletown High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Middletown, CT)

Page 17 text:

—i 1895 — The building is completed. It is 99 feet long by about 70 feet wide. An impressive tower at the north east corner graces the new build- ing and no doubt will become a familiar landmark to the citizenry of Middletown. There are entrances on Court Street and Pearl Street. The floors are of double construction four inches thick, supported on steel beams encased in terra cotta. The interior wood finish is constructed of ash, and the blackboards are of slate. All of

Page 16 text:

1848 — The first graduation exercises were held at the now fully co-ed high school. 1850 — With the installation of a new principal, S. Coburn, the school is experiencing a new serge of life. (As its first years were dif- ficult ones.) He has introduced new courses of study and started the first extra-curricular activity, a literary paper. 1856 — Students have been applying to the school every year, but conditions are over-crowded and there is no more room. 1869 — The school building has been remodeled. November, 1878 — A fire of unknown cause has heavily damaged the school. Classes will be held in other city buildings until the school is rebuilt. 1883 — Board of Education reports that a new high school is needed. July 10, 1893 — At a special meeting held today, the school district has unanimously voted to build a new high school at a cost of $50, 000. The details will be left up to the board, and the property on the corner of Pearl Street and Court Street will be purchased from St. Lukes Home at a cost of $7,500. July 1, 1894 — After careful judgement, the Board has accepted the plans of Messrs. Curtis and Johnson of Harford, and excavation has begun.

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As An Era Closes A New One the hardware is of solid brass. Corridors extend through the build- ing from east to west with stairways at each end. It is a well ventilat- ed building, heated by indirect steam. Each room has two flues; one to carry in fresh air, and one to carry out stale air. The building is ventilated by a large fan driven by a gas engine from the basement. Steam is provided by a STAR nonexplosive boiler. Begins Ground Breaking For New M.H.S On the first floor a fire proof vault has been installed. The floors have been lined with asbestos to fireproof them. Few of the interior walls are built of wood, and those few are thoroughly fire-stopped with brick. A 2 Vi inch pipe with a hose on each floor extends from the basement to the top of the building.