Swarthmore High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Swarthmore, PA)

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YXLAC Ulcl 1 twcrlcq A,-A til L1 L-rYN CA QL ti oqe iiaisturp nf The history of Swarthmoreis public school system began in 1890 when the Yale Avenue school was built. This school occupied four rooms on the first floor and was taught by two full time and one part time teacher. It started out with only seven grades, but adred one almost every year. When the School Board visited the school in 1895, it found things going along fairly well, but the teachers do not seem to understand the heat- ing apparatus. We have not noticed that the teachers have any dilliculty turning on the heat nowadays. The secondary school students, who had to attend school until they were fourteen, had only one session a day, from 8:30 to 1:00, and studied geography, civics, history, geometry, algebra, English, Latin, German, physiology, and business. Sciences were not introduced until later. 'lhe first Commencement was held in the Bor- ough Hall in 1898. Each senior Cthere were only fourj had to give an oration. Other forms of entertainment such as piano solos or mandolin duets were common at this and later Commence- ments. In 1899 the School Board minutes stated that the principal was instructed to inflict any cor- poral punishment which may be absolutely nec- essary . This policy has since changed-thank Goodness! A twelfth grade was added in 1900, enabling the School Board to announce with great pride that Swarthmore now has a school taught by eight teachers, which offers a twelve year course of study, preparing for college or business. At this early stage sports were non-existent. However, in winter Mr. Todd, the principal, en- joyed going out to 'tsnowball with the boys. Apparently the girls were out of luck. Expenditures were closely watched by the School Board in those days. On motion of Mr. Kolle, it was decided to buy two pencil sharpenersp Mr. Cresson was authorized to make the pur- 'Tai

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The Zllutnn town was situated on Michael's corner. It was a grocery and meat store run by Hannum and Huff- nall. In the same building was Dr. Morgan's drug- store where Vic Shirer was a soda clerk. He eventually came to be the owner. Incidentally, sodas were quite a specialty in the drugstores of those days. Also in this grand drugstore, was placed the first telephone in Swarthmore. The borough hall, as now, served many pur- poses back in the old days. The second floor, now the library, was a large auditorium where the early commencements and high school dances were held. On the third floor there was a large balcony, and in the basement was a barber shop where no woman would deign to go. The barber was also the town laundryman. He collected the men's stiff shirt fronts and collars and sent them to West Chester on the train. The fire company was in the same place, but it was a bit smaller. There was one horse drawn fire truck. Only one police- man was provided. Opposite the borough hall, was the town dump, which was later cleared away to make the Woman's Club where all our dancing classes are held. In the middle of Park Avenue between the dump and the church, was a large fountain. Nat- urally, this would seem rather out of place in present day Swarthmore, but we must remember that there were no cars or paved streets, and too, this was fifty years ago!

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Ulhe School chase. At the same time, we find that a tuning fork, window shades, and four dozen antiseptic slates for trial use were bought. By 1901 the library fin the pr1ncipal's olTicej 'tconsists of 269 volumes which are extensively used by the pupils - twenty-seven now being' loaned out. In 1905 visitors were permitted, but school work must not be interrupted to accommodate photographers or solicitors. To consult the prin- cipal, parents reported after school. Nowadays pupils report after school whether they want to consult the principal or not. During this period students frequently atc chestnuts in school, cracking them noisily in classes. Today they pop bubble gum. The present High School building was con- structed during 1911 and 12. Disaster tinged thc first year. At the dedication ceremony in May 1912, all the fuses blew out, and darkness prevailct, until the entire stock of candles at Smith's store was rushed to the rescue. The first graduation in this building in 1913, was held in Mr. Oppen- lander's room, then used as the auditorium. It was so hot that one girl fainted and had to be carrieo out. The rest of the audience soon began to notice that the newly varnished chairs were quite sticky. However, they didn't realize that they were all stuck fast until it was time to leave. Mr. Oppenlander's room also became the library when the books began overflowing thc main office. The basement was then in active use. Mr. Edenhart's present work shop was the gym, and often became flooded when an underground stream in the janitor's room overflowed. We have never had a swimming pool since. In those days gym consisted mostly of marching, calisthenics, tumbling, and rope work. The girls had to wear middy blouses, pleated bloomers, and long stock- ings! The lunchrooms were also in the basement. The boys ate in what is now Mrs. Kenney's olfice. and the girls in the present band room. lN1.r.? lli YN UC Y Glo- -lm1 W 'F V ale Slscxlnmq on Qvurvx v ilu? l-