Richmond High School - Shield Yearbook (Richmond, CA)

Page 12 text:

Our School, Its Origin and Growth With the growth of the settlement of Richmond came a desire for a more complete school system. Consequently, in the summer of 1906 it was decided to proceed with the necessary legal steps to secure a high school. At the time, some discussion arose as to the kind of high school to establish, but it was finally decided that a union high school district to include Richmond, San Pablo, and Stege be formed. The necessary petitions were circulated, signed, and presented to William Han- lon, county superintendent of schools, who in turn called an election to be held on February 2, 1907. The vote was almost unanimous for a high school. A certifi- cate was filed with the county clerk, and February 13, 1907, became the date of the establishment of the Richmond Union High School. The Board of Education decided to bond the district for the sum of $85,000. This proposition was submitted to the voters at another election, and the bonds were carried with but one dissenting vote. In May 1927, the architects prepared plans, and construction started on the ground at Twenty-third Street. The corner stone was laid on May 23, 1907. Meanwhile, the new High School held temporary quarters in a small wooden building on Standard Avenue, Point Richmond. That first year there were three teachers, and a daily average enrollment of 32 students. The classes were held in three rooms and the commercial department had three typewriters which were out in the front hall. It is interesting to observe the subjects which were offered in Richmond Union High School in 1907. The program was as follows: Ss Time Peterson 3ell Tucker 8:55-9:10 ASSEMBLY 9:10-9:50 History 2 English 1 Solid Geometry 9 :50-10 :30 U. S. History English 3 10 :30-10 :40 RECESS 10 :40-11 :20 Stenography 2 Geometry | 11 :20-12 :00 History 1 12:00 - 1:00 PAT 1:00 - 1:40 Latin Zz German | Algebra 1:40 - 2:20 English 2 Physics 2120 23 230 Stenography 1 Latin Physics Lab. On February 12, 1908, the new high school was completed, and the school, which was steadily growing, moved to its permanent quarters. In May of the same year, the first student graduated from Richmond Union High School. The graduation caused great excitement in Richmond, and the graduate, Walter Small- wood, was given due publicity in the newspaper here. As there was no auditorium in the school at that time, the graduation exercises were held at th e Point Richmond Opera House. By 1910, the number of students had grown to 144, and the possibility of an

Page 14 text:

addition to the school was considered. Four years later a $64,000 building, which contained a cafeteria, assembly-hall, and sev ee class-rooms, was erected. This building was the present Unit 2. Then again in 1921, more room was needed and Gardner Hall was built. This building contained a rieaber of class rooms, the domestic science i ere ang the Part-time rooms. The present High School is now composed of Unit 1, 2, 3, the gym, and the shop s. Since the building was built to afford accommodations for 400 students, and it now has over 800, it was evident to the Board of Education that a new High school was needed. A site of 19 3 10 acres was purchased on Twenty-third and Tulare Streets. s 1925, a bond election was held to vote on the $885,000 bond issue. $680,000 of this money would be used by the erection of the new high school. The bead Denes carried, and actual construction was begun in November, 1926. The school is of face brick construction. The main building contains the auditorium, the library, and the academic class rooms. In the north wing, the cafeteria is on the ground floor, and the domestic science rooms above. The south building contains the laboratories and science rooms, and also class-rooms for freehand drawing. The vocational departments and the gymnasium are behind the main buildings. The gymnasium, a modern structure containing two courts, has a seating capacity of 1,800. The boys’ court is 70 feet by 90 feet, with a minumum height of 22 feet, and a maximum height of 30 feet. This court is surrounded by the bleach- ers and will be an appropriate place to hold school dances and rallies. The girls’ court 1s 45 feet by 70 feet, and adjoining it are the offices and girls’ dressing rooms and showers. ‘The boys’ showers and dressing rooms are under the bleachers, and are 90 feet long and 18 feet wide. In our present school, the lack of a room large enough to seat the entire Student Body and to produce school shows has been felt. The new school will fill this deficit with its large auditorium capable of seating 1,530 persons. Another useful room will be the small auditorium, which is an ideal place for club meetings and minor plays. The school has unique features. The school shield, designed in colored tile, is on the walls of the library and the foyer of the auditorium. Colored tiles depicting early California history are to be found in the halls. These are distinctive effects which will add the beauty ¢ of the school. The new school will be ready for occupation in August, and the students are looking forward to their life in the new Richmond High School.