Webwriter's Note: Ruth Gruber, a graduating senior who planned to attend Queens College, wrote this history for the 1940 Yearbook with the assistance of Mr. Vosburgh, then principal. Much of the essay is drawn from The Beaver Book, published about 1932. I have augmented the essay's two pages of dense text with pictures drawn from The Beaver Book, the June 1940 Yearbook and elsewhere. Text I have added is set off by three asterisks ( * * * ).

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It is a long stretch from the compact wooden building on Herriman Avenue to the colonial brick building which adorns Jamaica’s campus today and there is a long stretch, too, between the subjects, methods of teaching, the teachers themselves, the school government, and all the other essentials which constitute a school system, that existed in 1854 and those which we know today. 1854! Such a long time ago! At least to our restless, eager, modern generation who think in terms of the future-not the past. Thus we shall turn from the current interests of New frontiers-in aviation, television, fabrics made of glass, electricity, air conditioning and modern housing and try to prove (by relating the history of Jamaica High School) that valuable changes are usually gradual.

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It was on July 18, 1853 that the first permanent school district was formed in Jamaica, and the following year when the new three story schoolhouse on Herriman Avenue was built on a plot 100’ by 168’ at the total cost of $7,283. The school consisted of three departments, namely: The Primary Department, the Male Department, and the Female Department. In the two secondary departments (Male and Female) pupils were taught spelling, arithmetic, reading, geography, history, and grammar. At the head of each of the three departments was a chief administrator or principal and an additional assistant.

Twenty years afterward, in May 1874, William J. Ballard was invited to take charge of the school. Mr. Ballard had started his teaching career at the age of 17. He was a graduate of the State Normal School at Albany and came to Jamaica in 1874 as principal. He advocated extensive work in Physical Training; he supplied apparatus at his own expense and helped to establish a library for the benefit of the public as well as the pupils.

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December 14, 1892, marked the date of the charter given by [the] Board of Regents to Jamaica as a High School.

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On the first celebration of Arbor Day, May 3, 1889, the pupils planted twelve maple trees on Hillside Avenue. Little did they realize that seven years later that site would be occupied by their new school.

* * * The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. Quickly adopted nationwide, it was first officialy observed in New York State in 1888. Ms. Gruber was referring to its first observance by Jamaica High School. * * *

The new high school, opened in December 1896, was described as "an absurdly large building." At that time it held eighty high school pupils in addition to all the grammar school grades. The school had an Assembly Room, a two story gymnasium. (The balcony being the upper story.) Later, rooms were added to accommodate increasing numbers of pupils; the study hall was divided into two classrooms. Gradually all the grammar school classes left the building to make room for the multitude of students seeking entrance to Jamaica High School. * * * "It was not till . . . [1904], eight years after the building was first occupied, that toilet rooms with running water were installed." (The Beaver Book. p. 29.) * * *

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Charles J. Jennings was appointed principal in 1898. Having previously taken charge of the public schools in Jamaica, the twelve years of his active service were climaxed by his death.

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In 1910 Theodore Mitchell replaced Charles J. Jennings, previously having taught in Columbia Grammar School, Browning School, Chapin Collegiate School, DeWitt Clinton High School, and Boys High School. He organized the General Organization and Arista, fostered student activities, and was generally remembered for persevering work in maintaining Jamaica’s traditions of the best in scholarship, discipline, loyalty to the school, and general welfare.

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The first copy of the "Oracle," a literary magazine, was issued in November, 1911.

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During the World War period the co-operative spirit was evident in Jamaica High School. Students worked at farming, Red Cross contributions, the Liberty Loan, sewing, and knitting. Among those members of the faculty who were in the service were: Miss Laura Gay, who was with the Y.M.C.A in France; Mr. George Copeland, who entered the regular army; Mr. Thomas Lovely, who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps; Miss Etta Wilson, who served for three years with the French Red Cross and one year with the American Red Cross. Many of the boys of Jamaica gave their lives in the World War. These boys were highly esteemed in the community as well as in school. For some time, dances were sponsored at the Liverpool School Annex under the direction of Dr. Chickering. A portion of the proceeds of these dances went towards the erection of a tablet as a memorial to Jamaica High School students who gave their lives in the World War. At present the tablet is hanging in the front entrance of the school.

In those days, the school grew rapidly as revealed by the following quotation:

And still the hosts came. In 1908 there were 700 pupils. The attendance passed the 1000 mark in February 1914; in another ten years this had doubled. Over-lapping schedules, double sessions, annexes--we know all about the devices used to give an education to two pupils with accomodations for one." ( * * * The Beaver Book, page 29. "The Hillside Avenue Building." * * * )

On February 4, 1919 our present principal, Dr. Charles H. Vosburgh, was appointed, having previously served as head of the Physics and Chemistry departments. His elevation marked a new epoch in Jamaica. The formation of annexes to relieve the overcrowded conditions which existed in what had previously been called "an absurdly large building," was started. The first Jamaica High School Annex was opened in 1922 at the old Public School No. 50. Dr. Edward C. Chickering was assigned as teacher in charge. By 1926 the registration here had reached 900 and the administrative staff numbered nineteen. In 1923 another Annex was opened on Hillside Avenue opposite the school, and a third in 1926 in P.S. 109. "Pleasant memories clustered about the old building; of friendships between teachers and pupils; of prowess in debating and in athletics; of merrymaking in the gym; of wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas luncheon parties; of plays and pageants, orchestras and Glee Club; of faculty meeting with tea and toast; of 'baby' parties and joyous reunions." ( * * * Ibid. * * * )

But on March 16, 1925 all eyes, ears, hopes, ideals and ambitions were concerned with what has been called "the most important event in the history of Jamiaca High School," when the ground was broken for a new school building on 168th Street and Gothic Drive. The new colonial building was to be 400 feet long, 250 feet deep, and three stories and basement in height with a central tower extending fifty feet above the roof. This elaborate building was to occupy approximately thirteen and a half acres of land and was to be the most spacious high school in the state of New York -- indeed a crowning achievement during Dr. Vosburgh's administration.

An account of the Ceremonial Exercises follows:

"Shortly after two o'clock the program commenced with the Honorable George J. Ryan, President of the Board of Education of New York City, presiding. The salute to the flag and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner were followed by the reading of the Scripture by the Rev. Andrew McGill. Several addresses were made by prominent city and state officials. Mr Ryan read a letter from the Honorable John F. Hylan, Mayor of New York City, regretting his inability to be present, and congratulating the people of Jamaica upon finally securing a splendid new school which he said would embody the finest and newest features in high school buildings. Mr. Ryan's own remarks emphasized the splendor of the new structure soon to rise on the site. The next speaker was Honorable Robert W. Higbie, recently appointed Regent of the University of the State of New York. Dr. Harold G. Campbell, Associate Superintendent in charge of High Schools, was the last speaker.

"Next on the program came the actual breaking of the ground. Mr. Ryan was chosen to turn the first shovelful of earth. He was followed by Mr. Higbie, Mr. Campbell, Dr. Vosburgh, and others. The singing of the school song and the benediction by Rabbi Aaron Weinstein closed the exercises." * * * ( Ibid. ) * * *

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On February 1, 1927, the total enrollment of the school was installed in its palatial new building. Up to this time the total register of the school had increased from 1,350 in 1919 to 3,705 in 1926. These 3,705 pupuls were welcomed to a new building with every possible advantage of a modern high school: an excellent library, chemistry and physics laboratories, domestic science rooms, a swimming pool, lunchroom, auditorium and balcony, two gymnasiums, and an encouraging administrative staff to urge participation in numerous extra-curricular activities.

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In October, 1931, under the supervision of Mr. William R. Ryan, there appeared the first copy of "The Hilltopper," containing news of the School and the activities of pupils, now issued ten times a term, and a First Class Medalist from 1936 on. At present the sponsor is Mr. Edward J. Laherty.

During the years from 1922 on, The Oracle had been publishing the pictures of Seniors in the January and June issues. When it was decided to make the Oracle a literary and arts magazine, the "Senior Year Book," under the supervision of Mr. Harold A. Brown, made its first appearance in January, 1932. Starting as a 7 x 9 paper-covered magazine of sixty-six pages, it reached its height as a 9 x 12 hard-covered magazine of one hundred and twelve pages.

In May, 1932, 4,000 spectators witnessed the official opening of our new athletic field and a spectacular dedication parade which is remembered to this day for the grand effect it made as the cheering squad, Dr. Vosburgh, The Jamaica High School Band, R.O.T.C., Baseball, Football, Basketball, Golf, Rifle, Track, Cross Country, Swimming, Hockey, Handball Squads, Girls' Archery, Riding, and Tennis Teams marched in the parade. Albert Benninger, Parks Commissioner, threw out the first ball.

Athletically, Jamaica has achieved many championships in Football, Baseball, Basketball, Track and Rifle -- too numerous to be mentioned specifically here, but the worthy subject for a history of athletics in our school.

Up to MAy 1, 1937, Jamaica had reached its maximum number of pupils -- 9,202 and 303 teachers. The opening of the Andrew Jackson High School in St. Albans at that time tended to relieve our overcrowded conditions. At present the total enrollment of the school (including both the Training School and P.S. 109 Annexes) is 5,710 and the teachers number 201.

May, 1939, marked a history making month for Jamaica High School. On the first, the dance pageant -- Dance Americana, in which 1,200 students participated, was given at the New York World's Fair and on the nineteenth the first semi-annual Clubs Night was featured for the benefit of all General Organization students.

In November, 1939, the Katherine S. Leverich trophy was presented at an all-girls assembly for active participation of J.H.S. girls in extra-curricular activities and in December the rifle team was awarded a beautiful trophy at the fourteenth annual meet of ( * * * sponsored by * * * ) the New York Stock Exchange.

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At this point we can think of nothing more appropriate (to show that history repeats itself) than a quotation found among the minutes of the school board of the late hundreds: "We hope by the experience of the past and by the excellence of our schools, to retrieve what we have lost, or rather, what we might or ought to have gained. Our school is now in a flourishing condition and our prospects are cheering and we rejoice in being able to boast that in all probability a few months will make it second to none of the kind in these United States." EDITOR'S NOTE -- Copious thanks are due to Dr. Vosburgh for his generous assistance in collating the above data.

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01/09/04