Portland High School - Totem Yearbook (Portland, ME)

Page 10 text:

. . .In Crowds. The dominating force of any high school is created with its people united. Combined in a common cause, the people decide what role will be taken what action is needed, and what will best serve the needs of society. Whether supporting their boys in Blue, debating a point with the administration, or serving in a community project, the united peo- ple can discover, decide, and act. For the people, and from the people, All springs, and all must exist. Disraeli

Page 9 text:

...With F1'iends,... All people, however, need help from one another. A quarterback must End a receiver, a singer needs, an accompanist, and a prinicpal finds organization in a secretary. Combined, the talents of each in- dividual serve a purpose, aiding others.

Page 11 text:

Freshman Alley, the lone remaining part of the original Cum- berland Avenue PHS, was constructed in 1863, providing a school for both boys and girls. Sesquicentenniel of Portland High School Education Foreword Portland High School has grown from the meager beginnings of a Latin School established in 1821. The school was later divided into Latin and Eng- lish schools, but reunited as an English High School in 1832. Higher education for girls was first offered in 1850, with the establishment of the Girls' High School. This was later transferred to the red, brick schoolhouse, now known as the Woolson School, on Chestnut Street. In 1863, a new building was constructed on the present Cumberland Avenue site, and given the name Portland High School. Both boys and girls attended this school, although they were separated by a brick wall. This building was gutted twice by fire and remodeled several times before 1918, when the present building was erected at a cost in excess of one million dollars. The old building was incorporated into the new, becoming the middle Wing of the E shaped structure. Since that time, Portland High School has been housed in the present edifice. Our high school has a long and illustrious. his- tory. Keeping this in mind, the Totem staff proudly dedicates its book to People - not only to the people of 1971-1972, but also to the 150 years of people that are Portland High School. The two historical panels found over rooms 103 and 109 depict the early educational situa- tion in Portland. At left is the mural entitled Going to school in old Falmouthf while at right is one called Twin Schools - 1840. Both were painted by PHS graduate Thomas Thorne.