San Pedro High School - Black and Gold Yearbook (San Pedro, CA)

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In the years preceding WWII expan- sion was in the spotlight. By 1934 the old SPHS had expanded to nine build- ings, but the 1933 Long Beach earth- quake had proved the school not quite safe in such emergencies. A new site, between 15th and 17th Streets, above Dana where the old Dodson Estate had once been was bought for a new campus. The construction began with the dig- ging of all the foundations by hand. These were so deep and sturdy that after the 1972 earthquake, SPHS had absolute- ly no damage to report, unlike many other schools, such as Dana Junior High. The quality could never be duplicated because of time, cost and effort. For example, the chalkboards in the English building were made of slate and the stalls in most of the bathrooms were made with marble. In 1937 the students and faculty moved into the new school. Dodson Field was soon dedicated in honor of the Dodsons whose ancestral home (now at 13th and Parker) once occupied the school site. The Victory Arch was also presented to SPHS within that year, but all the build- ings were not completed until 1939. Tyrone Comfort was commissioned by the federal government to paint Ameri- can Life murals on the library walls in 1938. These paintsings with their bare- chested males were considered bold for the times. 1. A division page in the 1935 SPHS yearbook shows the San Pedro known by students of that i ear. A similar but much larger version hung for years in 263 and gave the room the name of Chart Room. 2. Still a newcomer to its present surroundings. SPHS dominated the above Gaffey and Vista del Oro areas of San Pedro, as the town had not spread out to the foothills in 1940. ' fe iS

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harbor and then over to Catalina for a wienie roast. As classes grew, this activity and the Spaghetti Dinner given the night before graduation, were can- celled because of impracticality. The new Chemistry lab was added in 1927: and the Merit System of four years was revised. The old system allowed students to earn merits by being on a team and by participating in assemblies. The loss of 20 merits resulted in the stu- dent being sent home pendino a parent teacher conference If the same student lost ten more merits, he was expelled for the rest of the term. In 1927. SPHS started its second semester enrolling system - still used today. 1928 saw 25. 34 and 23 cent lunches The candy window usually only made 12 dollars a day. grossing a giant $17.50 on its best day of the year. Teenage petting was considered a fad that was fading fast in 1929. SPHS had a closed campus because even then stu- dents persisted in smoking and ditching if left unattended. 75th Anniversary

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3 After the move to a new site the auditorium was the last building (1938) of the original plan to be constructed However, many features had (o be eliminated because funds began to run low 4. Friend and principal. Miss Juliette Pierce left notes of encouragement each i ear She served for 26 years as teacher, vice-principal and principal prior to her retirement in 1936. : feejf|q rrei 5 The Varsity Seniors of the 1938 football team were TOP ROW: Jack Wolfe. Jack Oberdorf. Thomas Potter and Robert Park 2 ID ROW Bob Lucido. Lee Botich. Paul Hill (cocaptain) and Paul Foltz 3RD ROW Howard Petterson. Ha r ■ Craig. Arthur Bartlett and Me i ' in Tousseau 4TH ROW Bill Johnson. Matthew Martin, Carmen DiMassa and Harvey Side . The captain was Chester Meti- ger. pictured center. 6 The Victory Arch was presented to SPHS in 1937. the unknown Pirate graduated in 1940. and the anchor was donated in 1973 in honor of the SPHS victory over Mary Star of the Sea in two football games II 7,5 i Xnn ' wersiiry