Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 3, 2023 Stories From Saugus Past The History of Saugus High School (1872–1945) (Editor’s Note: This is the latest in an occasional series of articles in which readers contribute stories related to the town’s history. Today’s article was written by the late James H. Davis and was submitted by frequent contributor and longtime Saugus resident and writer Janice K. Jarosz. As a way of an introduction, she writes that Davis, a 1947 Saugus High School graduate, “penned this remarkable history of the first high school built in Saugus, MA. He was a 16-year-old junior at the time he wrote it back in 1946 and thanks to his research and words, he gives the reader a ‘window’ into those early days in Saugus, Massachusetts.” Jarosz cites two important footnotes to this story: 1. James Davis was a nephew to Marleah E. Graves, the famous teacher who taught at the Cliftondale School – now known as the MEG – for 47 years. 2. Students have often asked who John A.W. Pearce was. Now they know, he was the principal at SHS for 25 years, retiring in 1960. The senior class held a reception for him in the ‘new’ auditorium and presented him with a pair of Moon boots. Davis, who died in 2013, was an ordained Episcopal priest who served many years in Maine.) By James H. Davis, 1946 I n 1872, after several years of debate, the town fathers decided to establish a high school because of the large number of Saugus students who were attending the high school near Lynn Common. Mrs. Frances H. Newhall and a Miss Calley held classes for their 22 students in the Old Town Hall, now the American Legion Hall on Taylor Street. In 1877, for various reasons, the school was transferred to the New Town Hall, built in 1875. In 1882, a large sum of one hundred dollars was appropriated for scientific apparatus after much debate by the Town Meeting. When Mr. F. E. Emerich was appointed principal of a student body of thirty-seven,(some classes today are larger than this) Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Dennis at (857) 249-7882 for details. Saugus High School in 1906 (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) … the number of teachers was raised from two to four. When the enrollment rose to forty-eight, three years before the turn of the century, the still infant Saugus High was moved to the upper fl oor of the newly completed Roby School, named for the famed Revolutionary War preacher who carried a gun with his Bible into the pulpit in case the Redcoats should surprise the citizens of Saugus while they were at church. At the turn of the century, the enrollment totaled 123 pupils and courses in bookkeeping, United States history and German were instituted. Incidentally, the German course was dropped during the fi rst World War because of popular feelings against anything German. In 1902, all of the faculty, except a Miss Bacheller, withdrew. One was granted a year’s leave of absence for study abroad; the rest resigned. In his report to the school committee, which was printed in the Annual Town Report, the new principal Mr. Stevens, deplored the fact that twenty percent of the boys had become cigarette smokers and wondered what the younger generation was coming to. What would Mr. Stevens think of us today! (1946) … In 1903, the school appropriation for the entire town totaled $22,969.88. Principal Stevens resigned in that year and Mr. Leland A. Ross was appointed to take his place. In 1904, the ancestor of our present Focus made its fi rst modest appearance as the Advocate. After much deliberation, the New England College Entrance Certifi cate Board allowed Saugus High School the right to certify graduates to the New England colleges participating in the Board. Saugus High still holds this privilege… The Saugus High School band was born in the form of an orchestra of eight members. (What! No twirlers?) … In 1905, The Saugus High School faculty consisted of Principal Ross, Miss Bacheller, Miss Ellsbree, Miss Moore, and Miss Nute. Nineteen pupils reSAUGUS PAST | SEE PAGE 9 Everett, MA 617-202-8259 * We work with most Fuel Assistance programs “We’re accepting new customers, no experience necessary” “Aceptamos Nuevos clientes no se necesita experiencia.” ~ Hablamos Española ~ 50 Gallon Minimum (Surcharge Applys) Major Credit Cards Accepted Scan our QR Code Saugus High Yearbook Photo of James Davis, Class of 1947 (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate)
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