Novmber 3, 2006 - Volume 35 Issue 4
If These
Walls Could Talk
School building changes in time
By Katie Hauser, sr.
Editor-in-Chief
As construction continues on the newest addition to the school, it seems
an appropriate time to look back at other changes to the building that
have occurred over the years.
The current high school building was completed in 1923. Students that walk
the hallways now probably do not think about it, but they are walking in
the footsteps of over 80 years of other students.
The building has seen several generations of people enter its doors as freshmen
and graduate four years later as seniors.
One of the most visible projects of the current construction is the community
field house. It will be the third gymnasium that the school has used.
PHOTO BY BETHANY WOLVERTON
In 1866, the first high school,
pictured to the left, was built in Humboldt. It was enlarged
several times
following that. This picture was taken around 1886. The student body of that
school and the student body of the adjoining elementary school are also shown.
The first
gym was originally where the basement is now.
The floor to the library did not exist, so the gym took up two levels and
the auditorium was above it.
A new gym was built in 1952. This is the gym that students are currently
using.
Another major renovation project was undertaken in 1980. The cafeteria
and lobby were added to the east side of the building.
The former music room, now the weight room, was another recent addition
to the building. It was added in 1995.
The high school had to share its ground with other buildings after 1995
when the middle school and technology buildings were constructed in the
same block
as the high school.
Classrooms have been given new locations throughout the years as well.
Many current students may remember when Eric Carlson, social sciences
instructor, taught classes on the third floor and a learning resources
room was on
the
first floor.
PHOTO COURTESY OF “A Pictorial History of Allen County” 1855-1991
The present day high school, shown in the image to the
right, was built during the
1922-1923 school year. Many modifications have
been made to or around this structure since its
original construction, including
the addition of a lobby and cafeteria in 1980 as well as the middle
school
and technology buildings in 1995. Additional construction of a new field house
and movement
of several classrooms within the building are currently taking
place.
Now,
the two classrooms have switched locations. The library use to be the shop
classroom, and the publications room use to be the library.
All these changes were in the current building. However, this is the
third building that the high school has been housed in.
The first building was built in 1866 and was enlarged several times,
according to the Humboldt Sesquicentennial calendar.
A brick building was built in 1882, but it was burned on Jan.1, 1898.
A new high school was built after that and was used until the current
building was constructed.
Another aspect of the school that has history is the football stadium.
It was built in 1936 as a WPA project.
The WPA was an agency set up by President Franklin Roosevelt so that
people on relief could earn an income while completing useful projects,
according
to www.encyclopedia.com
This school will be a part of many memories for years to come.
Those students who are watching the new construction will be able to
remember the school before and after the most recent bond issue, just
as former
students remember the school as it was when they attended and know
many of the changes
that have been made.
Changes of Humboldt High School’s
traditions throughout the decades
By Bethany Wolverton, jr.
Reporter/Photographer
School traditions have always been a big part of the Humboldt
community.
“
Traditions are important because they are a time when everybody can come
together and agree on the same thing,” said Chelsy Wright, sr.
In many ways traditions have changed, and in other ways they have stayed
the same.
School traditions such as Homecoming, the Sweetheart dances, and the Fight
Song date back to at least World War II.
Peg Griffith, graduate of Humboldt High School in 1955, commented on her
experiences as Homecoming Queen her senior year.
“
At half time during Homecoming night in 1954, the Homecoming queen candidates
rode in a convertible around the football field, and then they announced
that I was Homecoming queen,” said Griffith. “My attendants were
Alexine Chancy and Freda Pugh.”
Griffith noted other differences between her ceremony and current celebrations.
“
The queen was chosen by the football team. My crown was made of cardboard
and tin foil,” she said.
In the 1950s, Humboldt High did not participate in parades or pep rallies,
yet the long celebrated tradition of the bonfire on the Thursday before Homecoming
took place.
Two traditions were dropped in the past; they included Powder Puff football
and Senior Lane.
Powder Puff, which are flag football games played by girls in good academic
standing and good health, has been played since around the 1970s and was
stopped in 2002.
However, the tradition of Powder Puff was reinstated this year and is planned
to be continued in the future.
Senior Lane, which was an area behind the high school on New York Street
where seniors could paint their names, was torn up due to the construction
of the new field house, but K.B. Criss, principal, stated he would like to
see Senior Lane continue to be a tradition.
“
I think that it is a good tradition, and we are figuring out a way to keep
it going,” said Criss.
Humboldt High has also had many changes in clubs and activities.
A long known service organization, Kays and Kayettes, date back to before
World War II, but now HHS offers other service organizations such as FCA
and FCCLA instead.
Our school song also dates back to World War II; the words were written by
band teacher Mr. McCleary in 1940.
The school song is still played by the band during many school events such
as the basketball and football games.
“
Sometime during WWII, HHS stopped offering band due to the war. When I was
in sixth grade, the fall of 1948, HHS started offering band,” said
Griffith.
The cheerleader’s outfits have also changed. In the 1950s, their uniforms
consisted of an orange and white “beanie,” a circular white skirt
lined in orange satin, black tights, and a white blouse with an orange long
sleeve sweater over it.
Their shoes were black and white saddle oxfords and their skirts came down
to their ankles.
Today’s outfits consist of a tight tank top with a removable strap,
and the skirts stop at mid-thigh. They also have white Nike tennis shoes.
A windsuit is worn on cold nights.
Many changes have occurred throughout the decades; however, traditions have
and always will be a big part of student life.
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