Establishing an Historic Landmark - 115 St James Ct

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Central High School Page 2 In 1911, school trustees voted to buy abutting lots on Colfax Avenue. The James Oliver residence property on West Washington was bought for $65,000. The total paid for real estate holdings was $122,250, and the school board launched'a building plan for a new high school to cost from $200,000 to $300,000 to accommodate 1000 Pupils with 50 classrooms and 12 laboratories. Included in the prospective plan were a gymnasium, large assembly hall and swimming pool. It was to encompass two stories and a basement and was to have an enrollment of 1,500 by 1919. On November 80 1913, the new high school building was dedicated, with over 1,000 persons attending the ceremonies. It has cost $625,000. For the first nine years it was called the South Bend High School, but in 1920 it assumed the name Central Jr. High School. The 8th grade was shifted to the Colfax Avenue building and the Washington structure, in use since 1874, was torn down. A vocational building was erected in 1923. A public address system, inovative for its time, was installed in 1940, and replaced in 1960 by the present system now in use. In the 1950's, the heating system was converted and boilers which had been in use since 1914 were replaced to eliminate smoke and air pollution. In 1952, three new entraces were Constructed, replacing those at the front of the school and at the Washington and Colfax entrances. An interesting facet of Central High School was "Our little Theatre" which was unique in the 1900's. Up until this time, the school auditorium, which seated 12600 pupils, was the only place a play could be given. Early in December of 1915, the little theatre was completed out of the old music room. Miss Gene Thompson, drama teacher, had de- veloped this idea with the participation of the maual training, forge, art, printing, sewing and physics classes. The Little Theatre could accommodate 200 people and had a 25 foot long, 7 foot wide stage. It was noted that the first six months were very profitable, and a total of 18 plays were produced. The building itself has been described as "a fine example of prairie school architecture." The interior features golden oak Wood- ward, slate stair treads and incorporates granite, marble, brass and glass into an "arts and crafts design." Incorporated also in the arch- itecture of Central High School are two light courts with the building "wrapped around them." They serve to distribute generous light into corridors and classrooms.