Chicago High School

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Chicago Public Schools

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Chicago High School, Central High School (1878)
Life Span: 1856-1950
Location: Monroe Street near Halsted
Architect: John M. Van Osdel and Frederick Baumann

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Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863-64
Chicago High School.—Monroe, between Halsted and Des Plaines

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D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859-60
Chicago High School, Monroe street, between Halsted and Desplaines

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Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870-71
Chicago High School.—ns. Monroe, bet. Halsted and Desplaines, George Howland, principal

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Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1880
Chicago High School., George Howland, prin. W. Monroe, nr. S. Halsted

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Chicago Tribune, February 22, 1856

CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL.
From a recent Report to the Council made by J. C. Dore, Esq., the worthy and excellent Superintendent of the Public Schools of Chicago, we obtain the following synopsis. The Report states the passage of the ordinance establishing a Public High School was the leading event in the history of our Public Schools in 1855.

The erection of a suitable building for its accommodation. next became a subject of consideration, and after much deliberation with regard to building material and expense, it was resolved to erect a building of Athens stone, in the West Division of the city, on Monroe street, at an expense of thirty-three thousand and seventy-two dollars. It is believed, however, that the building and its appurtenances, independent of the lot, will not cost much less than forty thousand dollars. The lot on which the House is located, is two hundred feet square, and is a part of School Block No. 1, and consequently was not purchased. It is estimated at a value of twenty thousand dollars. The building, therefore, when completed, including the estimated value of the lot, will represent a value of sixty thousand dollars. The stone work is now finished, and in accordance with the contracts, the interior of the house will be completed, during the summer of 1856. Immediately alter the completion of the building, it is declared by ordinance, that a High School shall be organized therein, which will probably be about the 1st of September, 1856.

It is intended to divide the school into three departments classified as English—High, Normal, and Classical departments. The Normal Department is designed to qualify for teaching. young ladies of our own city who shall distinguish themselves by correct deportment and superior scholarship; and graduates of the Normal Department shall have preference, other things being equal, in the appointment of teachers in the Primary and Grammar Schools.

Mr. Dore suggests the establishment of a “model” school, to consist of about fifty pupils, of suitable attainments, to form five classes in regular gradation, corresponding in rank with the divisions of the Primary Departments and the two lower divisions of the Grammar Departments. This school will enable students of the Normal Department to qualify themselves, by teaching classes in the Model School, to take charge of any division in the Primary or Grammar Departments, represented by the classes in the Model School without loss of time after appointment.

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Chicago Central High School

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Inter Ocean, June 28, 1880

THE CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOLS.
The Board of Education of this city have in contemplation a change in the high school system of Chicago which will be a wide divergence from the plan that has been pursued for some years past, and which will, doubtless, increase the efficiency and value of the high schools. To those who are familiar with the educational system of the city, it is known that for about eighteen years there was only one high school here, called the Chicago High School. This had a four-years’ course, of study and a very thorough curriculum. But the growth of the city’s superficial area, and the increase in its population, demanded greater facilities for high school instruction. To meet this demand the Board of Education established a high school in each division of the city, with a course limited to two years. To a certain extent this change was satisfactory, but there are those who find in it grave defects. Chief of these is this: The course of two years has been entirely inadequate to the amount of work sought to be performed. Into these two years a pupil is expected to cram the work of a four-years’ course, and the natural result of it is that what training is acquired is of the superficial order, or else the pupil injures himself or herself by attempting to do too much work in the limited period. The principal objection, however, seems to be that too much is done, and that only a smattering of the branches taught can be obtained in that interval. Now, the present Board of Education seeks to apply the remedy for this want. It cannot go back to the one high school plan, for that would be retrogression; and besides, the size of the city and population would never permit its being done.
In addition to this is the argument that a high school in each division of the city is a great convenience to the pupils, who thereby can save much time and some expense.

The new plan, which will probably be finally acted upon at the board meeting next Wednesday night, may be outlined as follows: Either to abolish the Central High School and use the building for grammar school purposes, which would give much-needed accommodations; then increase the course in the division high schools to four years, and extend the curriculum. There is no doubt that much time is wasted in these schools by pursuing unnecessary branches. Another objection is that the course is not nearly extensive enough. The course of study in the present division high schools and the high school of ten or fifteen years ago will not bear comparison, and the advantage is all in favor of the high school of tho years gone by. There has been a sacrifice to convenience in the new plan, but one of the sacrifices has been a curtailment in the thoroughness of instruction.

This is one plan. The other differs only slightly from the one already stated, i. e., to make the course of study in the division high schools four years, and make it more thorough. And to withdraw all classical studies from the division high schools and have them taught in the Central High School. In other words, give to each division high school a four-years’ course and make the new Central High School the classical high school of the city.

Both plans have their recommendations. The needs of the city require some change which shall increase the efficiency of the high schools without limiting their conveniences, and with no more expense than is absolutely necessary. It is believed that in the plans announced the Board of Education have struck the right key-note. Whatever is done must be done considerately after a careful investigation of the entire field, and for the highest interest of the youth of this great metropolis.

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Inter Ocean, December 29, 1880

CHICAGO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.
The class of 1880 of the Chicago Central High School convened at the elegant residence of Mr. Amos T. Hall, No. 1636 Prairie avenue, last evening. There was a full attendance. The class is said to contain the most beauty and brilliancy of any which has graduated from the school, and certainly its appearance last evening did not tend to weaken the opinion in which it is held. A most enjoyable programme was indulied in, after which a sumptuous collation was served by Kinsley, and followed by toasts. Those disposed enjoyed the ravishing charms of the dance beneath the class motto, Fideus et nideus, surrounded by a victorious battle-flag.

Mr. C. B. Hall gave the address of welcome to his home.

Mr. Will Marston rendered a solo, “Incline thine ear.”

Recitations were given by Mr. Lucius Baird and Miss Virginia Hugg.

The programme suffered an edible interference here in the way of a collation, and the following toasts were responded to:
The birthplace of our teachers; the starting point of our nation; the mother of our collages; the East-Miss Carrie Dewey,

Our college boys; incidents of college life-Mr. S. S. Stein.

Among others the following were present:
Miss Minnie Colby, Miss Lena Higgins, Miss Lucy Wilson, Miss Bella Brady, Miss May Beebe, Miss Clara Hinchman, Miss Cora Goodnow, Miss Fannie Isham, Miss Margret Gage, Miss Ella Meredith, Miss Jennie Munch, Miss Josie McGowan, Miss Emma Weber, Miss Carrie Dewey, Miss Maggie Dodd, Miss Hattie Howell, Professor Delafontaine, Mrs. Helen D. Compton, Professor James Dewey, Mr. Fred Carpenter, Mr. James Mooney, Mr. Geo. Nutting, Mr. Sidney Stein, Mr. Nelson Bigelow, Mr. John Case, Mr. Will Marston, Mr. Fred McFarland, Mr. Louis Baird, Mr. Arthur Wilson, Mr. Frank Cutler, Mr. Edward James, Mr. August Magnus, Mr. Will Silman, Mr. Thomas Rafferty, Mr. Wm. Foster, Mr. Daniel Delafonte, Mr. Albert Budde, Mr. Austin Finn, Mr. Chas. Irving, Mr. J. W. Wood, Mr. Wm. Roundy, Mr. Earnest Crumb, and Mr. Arthur Wells. Aside from members of the class were Mr. and Mrs. Amos T. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Fake.

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Chicago High School (active 1856–1880; demolished 1950) was the first high school in Chicago, Illinois. After several abortive attempts, the Chicago City Council approved a high school in 1855. John M. Van Osdel and Frederick Baumann designed the building, which opened the next year. In 1860, the coursework was organized into two branches of study. where students could take the first-year workload, then apply to finish at the main building, which then became known as Central High School. (These branches evolved into full high schools in 1880 and the original Chicago High School was closed.) In September 1869, the high school developed branch schools and classes throughout the city.

High school classes were heard in the Franklin School in the north, the Haven school in the south, the Foster School building in the west, and the Hayes school building in the west; the two west schools were later combined. Students could take the first year of high school in these buildings, then attended the “central” high school for the rest of schooling. Thus, Chicago High School also became known as Central High School after this date. A school newspaper, The Lever, was founded in 1874. In 1880, the three branch schools became four-year schools and the Central High School was decommissioned. By the time, the high school building was too small for the number of students and the building was out of place in an otherwise commercial district.

Of the first students that were admitted, a total of 114 (57 boys, 57 girls) started course work after taking an entrance exam with math, history, geography, and grammar questions. Nine of the 114 were native Chicagoans, while the rest came from states from the Eastern U.S. or overseas.

The limestone building that housed Chicago Central was later used as the home for English High & Manual Training School, then as a warehouse by the Chicago Board of Education. It was torn down in 1950 to make way for the proposed Northwest (now Kennedy) Expressway.

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Interesting Facts About Chicago Central High School

Year opened as a three-year school: 1856
Became a four-year school: 1870
Year enrollment was limited to juniors and seniors: 1875
Name change to Central High School: 1878
Year closed: 1880
School colors, nickname, & song: may not utilized these

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Baseball
According to IHSA historian Robert Pruter, Central began to offer baseball as an intramural sport beginning in 1870. It grew to schedule and play games against amateur clubs and private schools later on. Records were non-existant on what Chicago teams Central played from 1870-1880, but results for at least five games from this period, as follows:

May 5, 1871: Chicago University freshmen, L (not the current University of Chicago, but as earlier one);
June 19, 1873: McVicker’s Theatre, W;
May 10, 1874: Eagles, L;
May 24, 1874: Leavitt Street Nine, W; and
June 14, 1874: Highlanders (Highland Park), W.

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Foster Medal Fund.
The following is the communication from Dr. John H. Foster, accompanying his donation of One Thousand Dollars.

To the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Chicago:
For the encouragement of scholarship and good conduct, and to incite a laudable emulation and application among tbe scholars of tbe Public Schools of tbe City of Chicago, I herewith give to the said City One Thousand Dollars, in trust, to be deposited with the Agent of the School Fund, and his successors in office, should the City deem it expedient, and to constitute a part of said Fund, to be kept by said Agent in a separate and distinct account or fund, and to be loaned out by him at interest, forever. The interest arising from tbe same to be paid semi-annually, and to be subject to the order of the School Inspectors, or the Board baving control of the Public Free Schools of Chicago, to be used by them and the Superintendent of Public Scbools of said City in purchasing gold, silver or bronze medals, or diplomas, to be annually or oftener awarded by them to the most deserving scholars in the different departments of the Public Grammar Schools of said City.
JOHN H. FOSTER.
Chicago, February, 1857.

The awards consisted of silver medals to the graduates from the Grammar Schools to the High School, until within the last two years, when the number of Grammar Schools furnishing graduates to the High Schools became so large that the revenue from the Fund, $70 per annum, was far from adequate to supply even one medal to each school furnishing graduates, consequently there has been no other means of utilizing this Fund than by the use of diplomas,

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1877 Foster Medal

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Famous Alumni
Cyrus Hall McCormick (class of 1874) — head of International Harvester;

Albert G. Lane (class of 1859) — became principal of a school prior to turning 18, later was superintendent of both Cook County & Chicago Public Schools, and led the movement for manual education at the high school level. As a result, Lane Technical High School was opened in his honor in 1908;

Ella Young Flagg (class of 1860) — educator, was the first woman to be head of a large city school system in the U.S., serving as Chicago Public School superintendent from 1909-1915, studied under John Dewey at the University of Chicago, and was on the state board of education from 1888-1913

Robert Waller (year unknown) — involved in real estate, insurance, and served on the Columbian Exposition board along with Cyrus McCormick. Was comptroller of the city of Chicago from 1897 until his death two years later. North Division High School was renamed in his honor.

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Chicago Central High School
Monroe Street near Halsted
Robinson Fire Insurance Map
1886

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