Riverside High School - Skipper Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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THE SKIPPER ll.lNE l949 W 4 Wwmim. Published by the Senior Class of ' Riverside High School Buffalo, N. Y. 5 ,

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OUR. COMMUNITY ' . HE story of the Black Rock--Riverside section of Buffalo is one of the most romantic in the annals of western New York. From the wilderness of Revolutionary days, Black Rock has passed through many periods of historic evolution---from the days of its strategic commercial position at the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 up to the present time when it exercises a dominant influence in the life of the Niagara Frontier. What a panorama of history was unfolded within its boundaries! The first recorded event concerning Black Rock was the rigging of LaSalle's sturdy ship, The Griffon on Squaw Island in May 1679. In 1803-1804 the Holland Land Company surveyed this area and the town that arose nearby was named Black Rock---after the irregular triangular rock jutting out into the Niagara River, from which point the old Black Rock Ferry plied to and from the Canadian shore. The War of 1812 left its mark on Black Rock which offered excellent locations for fortifications and barracks. During the entire war Black Rock served as a NavgcYard for the American Great Lalges Fleet. Finally, on August 12, 1814, at the bridge crossing ajaquada at Niagara Street, Major Lodowick Morgan of e First U.. S. Rifles, repulsed the ritish in memorable encounter. In the 183O's, the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad, built through the very streets of the com- munity, brought it many advantges, but because the Erie Canal had stimulated the progress of Buf- falo beyond its fondest dreams e supremacy of Black Rock was doomed. Buffalo emerging victori ous in this struggle for commercial supremacy, included the prosperous community of Black Rock within its city limits on March 21, 1853. Since Civil War days the Black Rock section has reflected the progress of the whole Niiara Frontier. Waves of immigration to the New World left their imprint upon the localigy with e steady march of German, Polish, Hungarian, Swedish and Irish racial groups which ormed colon- ies within the area. These people brought with them their old world customs which had a profound influence upon the social, cultural and religious foundations of the future. . With the advent of the twentieth century, the Black Rock area was swept into the tidal wave of industry. Nearness of transportation, power and labor supply resulted in a booming, commercial prosperity which, in turn caused the emergence of the brand new community of Riverside. World War I was an energizing factor in the development of this new section Where thousand of homes mushroomed almost overnight. A new and composite citizenry has adapted itself to the American vxglayloif life, anxious to offer its children educational advantages denied to themselves in the Old or . . With the opening of Riverside High School in 1930 the dream of all racial groups sprarigi into reality, for education had become the criterion of progress in the New World. Riverside gh School is truly The United Nations in miniature, where diverse racial backgrounds and interests are sublimated in the pursuit of a new American ideal. During the period of World War II, the Riverside-Black Rock area was in reality an arsenal of Democracy. From its four corners poured an unending supply of machines and manpower to term- inate the struggle. Many of its finest youths perished in this fight for a better world ---- for the gightitp prcetserve and strengthen those very ramparts of freedom which their forefathers had la- ore o a aan. -The Future? The Black Rock-Riverside area rises to its challenge with the same labor, patience, good-neighborliness and zeal which have distinguished its progress in the past. --Robert I. Rentz 2

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UEUIE TIU E theme of this year's Skipper is indicative of the group we wish to honor. 'I'he graduation class of 1949 dedicates this year book to an active and beneficial organization of this community, the River- side High School and Community Association. We wish to thank the many parents and civic-minded people of this group for their visible support and for their assistance in establishing a closer relationship between community and parents, on the one side, and school and faculty, on the other. During the five years since this organization was formed, the school has been the recipient of several fine gifts such as a Glockenspiel, a u beautiful picture, books for the library, and a 3100 bond to last year's Senior Class. We hope, in a small measure, to express our gratefulness and ap- preciation to the Riverside High School and Community Association by dedicating this 1949 issue of the Skipper to them. 4