Port Jefferson High School - Crystal Yearbook (Port Jefferson, NY)

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4 g .f ,Q-. . V 72, . Q NT'- YV' THE HISTORY OF FORT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL A great many people do not realize that Port Jefferson has progressed along educational lines as well as in other Ways and so we think it altogether fitting and proper to give a short history of Port Jefferson schools. The first schoolhouse H8205 we are told, was situated at the corner of Main and Thompson Streets, where the new library now stands. This was used until 1836 when, the old buidling having been sold, a new one was erected on the corner of Thompson and High Streets, the present site of Mr. Isaac Jones' home. This building was of the little red school house type and served its purpose until 1850. The enrollment had grown so large that a larger building was obviously necessary, so one was erected on the site now owne dby John L'Hommedieu. The property cost ninety-five dollars and the building eight hundred dollars. Doubtless to the citizens of Port Jefferson that represented a grcat deal of money and it is needless to say it was well spent. But the town was still on the upward climb and in 1862 an addition was built at the cost of twelve hundred dollars. In 1890, accommodations were stil linadcquate and it was voted that a new building be placed on the present site of our school. Additions were made to that building in 1896 and the school had grown so that twelve teachers were being employed. On the morning of July 4, 1913, however, the building was found in flames and the fire had progressed so much that it could not be saved. Naturally the year 1913-14 was a hard one for the pupils and teachers, who were forced to seek accommodations in the Post Oliice building, the basements of the Catholic and Methodist Churches, and in tlieapartrnents above S. S. Brewster's store. No time was lost ,however, and on September 28, 1914, the pupils of Port Jefferson entered the new High School which had been raised at a cost of seventy-five thousand dollars and which is still serving the youth of our village. That is the past of Port Jefferson High School: the present is that we are still going strongg although it is not permitted us to know the future, I think we are safe in saying that it won't be so very many years before we'll need more space. NOTE - Historical information secured from material in Directory of the Public Schools of Second Supervisory Districtu, compiled by Roscoe C. Craft, District Superintendent. T ' Y W, 1 Y, .lm

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LTY F ACU SCHOOL HIGH

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THE CRYSTAL PORT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOLg ITS CHRONOLOGY FOR 1 926-1 927 ' August 31-A certain brick pile on High Street is invaded by an army of painters and cleaners. Old Summertime looks on with sympathetic eyes. Alas! She is powerless to protest! September 8-The trusty alarm clock sends out its cheerful peal-not at 8:30 A. M., but at 7:00 A. M. Yes, there's a reason. You see, it's time for more education. So, we put away our bean-shooters and bathing suits and sorrowfully equip ourselves with a good long pencil, that we may be able to record the next day's homework. The aforesaid painters and cleaners have surpassed themselves, for Port Jeierson High School looks more business-like than ever. Evidently the 1926'ers feel that we need cheering upg they light up the auditorium with their superior smiles. They chant a few ditties and conduct a few cheers, and they unselflshly share their alumni sagacity with us. We are duly impressed, but 1927 smiles a crafty smile,-and so we trot out on the last lap of the journey. What ho! It's the Curtis Publishing Company which knocks at the door. A committee of welcome is ap- pointed. The school is plunged into the most vigorous selling campaign that it has ever had. A week of dash- ing over the countryside in all manner of conveyances- and then we tasted of the fruits of success--992 sub- scriptions were sold, a record to be proud of. It's a grand and glorious feeling let me tell you! The season ticket plan is introduced. The student body decides in favor of it. It's nice to have someone else save your money for you. Thirty-one would-be songsters reported to Miss Johnson for encouragement. The young hopefuls entered that audi- torium a rather motley crowd and emerged a half hour later-a glee club or so they say, but Time will tell. -1927! The scarlet and the gray! Those class numerals look immense in the gym where they were placed today by half a dozen seniors. -Bill Anderson and Tony Sini have purchased new tennis rackets, so it was deemed necessary to organize a Ten- nis Club. We are confident that there never has been nor will there ever be, a more aggressive group of rac- quet-wielders. Displacement by force is the stern slogan of the organization. Playing tennis with this club hardens the heart as well as the muscles, we are told. V .