Pennsylvania Avenue High School - Quill Yearbook (Cumberland, MD)

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FGREVVORD As We approach the end of these four golden years of high school life, We pause to chronicle here some of our memories. Here in this book we have attempted to portray our school, its life and its students. We have chosen as the theme of our chronicle, the development of the rail- roads because, with the growth of rail- road transportation, South Cumber- 1and's population grew so as to Warrant the erection of our high school. It is with pride that We are able to use origi- nal and beautiful illustrations drawn by talented members of our class. We issue this book with the hope that it may meet with your approval. If this volume brings back fond memories to those who have spent happy days in high school and if it serves to keep alive in you your love for Penn Hi, We Will feel assured that our efforts have not been in vain.

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I r 1 ,f .. ,. v - JN V , 9 3.4 , ' X , v ufswyl 'I i :tw-grit, an .... af- ' , ' .fe-i.s,4lf' , 1 .writer 'fx 5 :sil- . . '. 4f1iif1.r-iai.. QUII .L . J 'ilt reff L- j:',,gS4: .-:r,.:Q:g,,, . C- M Q 1' fl- A -KAN-N' - . ravi, I jAbg.,g . L ' Z-V ' A. Mule wp s. - Graff..-t Mn The History of Pennsylvania Avenue High School At one time, the Virginia Avenue School was the only school in South Cumberland. When this section of the city began to grow, the school board recognized the need of another school. Accordingly in 1909, the Board of Education purchased a two hundred foot. lot on Pennsylvania Avenue and the construction of a school building of eight rooms was begun. The following September, the building was completed and ready for occupancy. The school, which was only an elementary one, was opened with Mr. John J. Tipton, Principal of the Virginia Avenue School, acting as Principal. He divided his time equally between the two schools, having an office at Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1914, Mr. Scott became Principal of the school and, one year later was followed by Mr. Boughton. It was during this year that the first addition to the school was built. Two rooms and a small office were added, forming a north wing. In 1916, it became necessary to build a correspond- ing wing on the south side. This relieved the situation for a while, but during the next year the basement space had to be utilized. Four rooms were nnished there. The assembly periods were nothing like the enjoyable half hours we have today. There was no auditorium and, as no room was large enough for the whole student body to gather in, the assemblies were held in the large main entrance hall. There were wide stairways leading to the sec- ond Hoor from both sides of the hall. The seventh and eighth grades were permitted to stand in the hall while the others were distributed on the steps. In November, 1924, due to the growth of the community, work was begun on a new building which was to extend back to South Street. The plans included an auditorium which was to connect the new building with the old. The new building became the Elementary department, with the old structure serving the Junior and Senior Highs. In 1925, the first two years of high school work were begun. Mr. Heisey came to us in 1926 as Principal, with Mr. Boughton Principal of the Junior High and Miss Higgins Principal of the grades. Again in 1927, it was necessary to enlarge our building. Two three- room wings were added on either side of the main entrance and four rooms to the Elementary building. Surely, thought the school board, this will more than care for Penn Hi's needs. Yet the first year, these rooms are all in use and the basement rooms are still being used as class rooms. Just twenty years ago, Pennsylvania Avenue began its existence. It has shown great progress, from an eight-room building to one now con- taining fortyg from a part-time Principal to a school with three Principals. We wonder what the next twenty years will bring. -Evelyn Decker Page sei en