Why did Northeast High School move in 1957?

Why did Northeast
High School move
from 8th and Lehigh
Aves. to Cottman
and Algon Aves. and
become coeducational in 1957?
A Service Learning Project 2001-2002 of Class 161
Northeast High School
Cottman and Algon Aves.
Philadelphia, PA 19111
www.nehs.phila.k12.pa.us
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Researchers / Authors:
Kristin Arthurs
Philip Capanna
Cortney Catallo
Antonio Cobette
Russell Eck
Tommy Golphin
Wil Green
Christine Griffis Michael Ivers
Elizabeth Jean
Steven Jennings
Shanae Johnson Katie Keichline
Krista Ketter
Mohammad Lami
Evan Lessa
Michelle Longenecker
Casey Maron
Patricia McGonagle
Vidal Melendez
Greg Messer
Jennifer Miller
Oksana Padus
Janki Patel
Damian Pawlikowski
Jobby Philip
Michael Sanchez
Joseph Stalmaster
Jillian Stoerrle Agnieszka Szymula Jason Troy
Instructor: Donna Sharer
Special Thanks to:
Disney Learning Partnership for a grant to buy equipment,
software and publish the project
Temple University Urban Archives –
Ms. Margaret Jerrido, Archivist & Head of the Urban Archives
Evan Towle, Assistant Archivist
Northeast High School librarian, Mr. Michael Bell
Northeast High School Alumni Association
Alumni from Northeast High School and Edison High School
who were interviewed for the project:
Dave Carr
David Nucklow
Ronald Colston
Leonard Pakman
Jim Eagen Jr.
Joseph Rosskowski
Ira Feldman
John Smith
Harry Gilbert
Anthony Stagliano
Al Goodyear
Millard Wilkinson
Donald Hackney
Gerald Mayall
Frank Mertens
Thomas Mulvihill
Chester Nieckoski
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Index
Hypotheses………………………………………………………..5
Our research included………………………………………….5
What we learned
Northeast High School’s Proud History………………..7
School of Stars………………………………………………12
Northeast Provided Many Extra Curricular
Opportunities for its Students…………………….16
Summary of Our Evidence on Why the School Moved
And Became Co-Educational in 1957………………….20
Conclusions………………………………………………………26
What We Would Like to Find Out…………………………..31
Future Steps…………………………………………………….33
Interviews with Northeast and Edison High School Alumni
Dave Carr..................................................................35
Ronald Colston…………………………………………….….36
Jim Eagen Jr…………………………………………….…….37
Ira Feldman…………………………………………….………37
Harry Gilbert………………………………………….……….37
Al Goodyear………………………………………….…………38
Donald Hackney…………………………………..…………..39
Gerald Mayall…………………………………….…………….41
Frank Mertens………………………………….………………42
Thomas Mulvihill………………………………………….…..43
Chester Nieckoski……………………………………….…….43
Leonard Packman…………………………………….……….44
Joseph Rosskowski……………………………………….…..45
David Nucklow………………………………………….………45
John Smith…………………………………………………......46
Tony Stagliano…………………………………………….…...47
Millard Wilkinson……………………………………….……..48
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Cottman and Algon neighborhood before the 1940s.
8th and Lehigh Aves. in the first half of the 20th century.
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Hypotheses
In October 2001, we began a Service Learning Project to try to determine
why Northeast High School was moved and became co-educational in
1957. In the process, we learned of Northeast’s proud history, traditions,
and important and successful alumni. We developed three hypotheses
for why the school moved and became co-educational:
----The neighborhood at 8th and Lehigh Aves. was changing racially,
economically and socially. The Alumni Association requested the move
to get out of a “changing” neighborhood.
The Northeast Alumni Association included very successful and
influential people. If they wanted the school moved to a new location,
the Alumni Association was able to influence members of the
Philadelphia School Board.
----The northeast section of the city was undergoing a rapid population
increase and was in need of a new school. The School Board was not
going to build two schools (female / male) and therefore it would be coeducational. Since the school was called “Northeast,” it should be in the
northeast section of the city.
----The building at 8th and Lehigh had no adjacent athletic fields.
Students traveled to 29th and Clearfield Aves. Northeast had a strong
athletic reputation and therefore needed a building with adjacent athletic
fields. The building at 8th and Lehigh Ave. was built in 1905 and
therefore by the 1950s was “old.”
Our research included:
--oral history: We interviewed alumni from the 1950s and two men who
went to the 8th and Lehigh location when it became “Edison High
School.” We learned about the reputation of Northeast High School,
school life in the 1950s and ideas on why the school moved.
--Temple University’s Urban Archives: With the help of the Urban
Archive’s archivist, Margaret Jerrido, and assistant archivists Evan
Towle, we found articles from the Philadelphia Bulletin, saw old
Philadelphia maps and photos of both neighborhoods and looked
through the Archive’s files to find information on why the school moved
and reactions to moving the school. We also found information on crime
and efforts to combat crime in North Philadelphia.
--With the help of Mr. Bell, Northeast High School’s librarian, we looked
through old issues of the Megaphone (school newspaper) from the 1950s
and yearbooks from 1947 – 1961. These resources gave us information
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on school activities, accomplishments, demographics, students
government and sports. There was NO information in either the
Megaphone or yearbook about moving the school. The first mention of
moving the school in the Megaphone is after the school moved on
February 11, 1957.
--U.S. census data from 1940, 1950 and 1960: We looked through
census data for neighborhoods (3 each) surrounding 8th and Lehigh and
Cottman and Algon. We focused on population (demographics), housing
(owner occupied, home value, monthly rent), and income/education for
the city of Philadelphia, the 8th and Lehigh neighborhood and the
Cottman and Algon neighborhoods. The census data gave us
information on the economic and racial changes at 8th and Lehigh Aves.
--School Board of Philadelphia minutes: We looked through School
Board minutes from the 1950s while at the Urban Archives.
We found the resolution to move the school. There was no information
on the decision making process. Once the School Board minutes are
bound, only resolutions of decisions, financial data and position
assignments are included. It is important to note Philadelphia’s School
Board was not under “home rule” until 1965. When the decision was
made in 1953 to move the school, the School Board was under
Philadelphia County Courts.
--We looked at a 1960-1961 report on Northeast High School, “Intergroup Education Northeast High School (Action-Research Seminar
Report)” which gave information on the school’s demographics. We also
looked at Archive 75, a book published on the 75th anniversary (1965) of
Northeast High School. The book DOES NOT mention the decision to
move the school until after the school was moved in 1957.
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What we learned
Northeast High School’s Proud
History
Timeline 1889 – 1957
Compiled by Janki Patel and Jobby Philip
1889 – Issac A. Shepard, President of the Board of Education, decided
another training school was needed in Philadelphia. The first school was
Central Manual Training School which opened in 1885 To speed the
process, he donated $1500 to begin a program for 100 boys at the W.A.
Lee School Building on Howard St. and Girard Ave.
1890 – Northeast Manual Training School opened. Students had to pass
a written entrance exam. Northeast became the 3rd public high school in
the United States
1892 – Northeast became independent of Central. Northeast’s first
principal, Dr. C. Hanford Henderson, taught chemistry and electrical
engineering. The school had three classes – junior, intermediate, and
senior. Students took academic and industrial (shop) classes.
Northeast established its own publication, The Archive, separate from
Central.
1894 – First meeting of the Alumni Association.
1898 – Isaac C. Sheppard died; he left funds for gold and silver medals to
be awarded to the “most worthy graduates” of Central and Northeast
Manual Training Schools. Northeast gained a new principal, Dr. Andrew
J. Morrison.
1902 – Northeast opened its first annex at 2nd and Girard Aves. Music,
sports and the Alumni Association became integral to the reputation of
Northeast.
1905 – Northeast moved to a new building at 8th and Lehigh Aves. The
school cost $400,000 to build and furnish. The school was overcrowded
so 200 freshmen attended the Howard Street Annex. There was a large,
community dedication service sponsored by the Alumni Association on
November 17, 1905. Woodrow Wilson, then President of Princeton
University, delivered the main address.
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1906 – The Alumni Assoc. began a major campaign to obtain an athletic
field for the school. They approached the School Committee to share
land at 29th and Lehigh Aves. to both Central and Northeast. The field,
with a fence, grandstand, football, baseball, track, soccer fields and
tennis courts, a separate building for dressing and showers was
dedicated in 1908.
1909 – Northeast Alumni, students and faculty worked together to
improve the athletic fields. It was also the first year Northeast defeated
Central in football.
1911 – Northeast became a four year school. Its name was changed to
Northeast High School.
1918 – Northeast Alumni served in the First World War; 35 died. Some
boys enrolled in the Boys’ Working Reserve. They were excused from
school in September and October to work on farms in Bucks County.
1920 – The Alumni Association established an endowed scholarship to
the University of Pennsylvania in honor of Dr. Morrison. He was to retire
in June but died on June 1.
1922 – Northeast began a school newspaper which as named the
Megaphone in its second year.
1923 – Northeast was presented with two stained glass windows
honoring Northeasters who served in the First World War. In 1988, the
stained glass windows were moved to Edison High School’s new bulding.
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1924 – Northeast’s Senate started the Senate Award for non-athletic
recognition.
1932 – With help from the Works Progress Administration, a new wing
was added to the school to ease overcrowding. The W.P.A. also helped
increase social activities with Northeast’s sister school, Kensington High
School. A W.P.A. orchestra supplied the music.
Northeast became known for its celebrity visits. Mr. Charles Yahn
had world-famous persons appear at assemblies. Visitors in 1932
included Babe Ruth, John McCormack and Marian Anderson. Albert
Einstein visited in 1934.
1935 – Northeast won it first Public League Football Championship.
1937 – A new wing was completed and included four shops and academic
classrooms. The original building was renovated and had a new library.
1940s – At least 300 Northeast alumni died in the Second World War. At
Northeast, athletic teams were very successful, especially in soccer.
Improvements were made in the 1940s to science labs and the
auditorium.
1951 – Northeast was chosen a national school of the year. It
received the Francis Bellamy Flag Award. (See photo below Photo
includes Miss Margarette S. Miller, noted historian and author of “I Plege
Allegiance,” and B. David Bellamny, son of Francis Bellamy.) The award
honored one U.S. high school “for the citizenship of its students and for
the success of its graduates in business, professional and public life.”
Northeast was the 10th recipient of the award and the first in
Pennsylvania.
Northeast’s Megaphone took first place in a press contest.
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1952 – Northeast seniors won prizes in local art contests.
1953 – Northeast’s Alumni Association asked the Philadelphia School
Board to move the school to a new location in Northeast Philadelphia.
The School Board approved a site at Cottman and Glendale Aves.
Northeast retained possession of the Morrison Trophy for public
sports leadership.
1954 – The Executive Committee of the Alumni Association stated they
needed a new school because of increased enrollment.
The School Board approved a $5,918,000 budget to construct the
new building.
1956 – Northeast High School would be co-educational. It was also
decided that the students at 8th and Lehigh would not be transferred to
the new school. One Board members questioned the costs for athletic
fields, $1,000,000, but was overruled.
Northeast had one defeat in basketball – a loss to Overbrook High
School under the leadership of Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain.
Northeast football was undefeated and tied with St. James for the
City Championships.
The Megaphone won a Medalist Award from the Columbia Scholastic
Press Association.
1957 – The building and grounds at Cottman and Glendale Aves. were
dedicated May 1 in program sponsored by the Alumni Assoc. The 8th &
Lehigh Ave. building was renamed “Thomas Edison High School.” The
Alumni Association approved the move to turn on the Northeast High
School Athletic Field (29th and Clearfield Aves.) back to the City of
Philadelphia.
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8th and Lehigh Ave. School
Cottman and Algon Aves. School
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School of Stars
List compiled by Krista Ketter
Northeast High School was called the “School of Stars.” (Phila.
Bulletin, 4/28/57) because “so many of its graduates have advanced
from humble homes to places of eminence.” A headline in the November
13, 1940 issue of the Megaphone states “Northeaster May Proudly
Boast of Famous Alumni in Many Fields.” The article quotes Mr. C.A.
Young, an alumnus, who challenged the notion that Central High School
produced more “well-recognized” graduates by listing many accomplished
Northeast graduates. Northeast was also know for many successful
athletic teams. At the dedication of the school at Cotman and Algon
Aves. in 1957, “hundreds of members of the Alumni Association,
including leaders in industry, education, banking and law,” attended.
(Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/2/57) Mr. Young, the first principal at the
Cottman and Algon location, at the dedication ceremony said “Our
athletic record is the envy of public high schools….It takes a loyal,
championship student body to produce championship teams…Northeast
High is a school filled with honor, pride, and tradition…. It is more than
a school. It is a way of life…” (Megaphone, May 1, 1957).
In the 1950s, the Megaphone listed successful alumni. The
following are a few of Northeast’s successful alumni listed in the
1950s:
1950 – Howard D. Graf, a Loan Supervisor for Penn Mutual Life
Insurance Co. in Atlanta, GA.
1951 – William L. Ridpath, Jr., a manager of the Solvay Sales
Corporation
Mr. Joseph Sahne, was elected vice president of Swarthmore College.
1952 – Lester Ferguson, No. 1 singing star on British radio, called
“America’s leading ambassador in song.”
Dr. Franklin C. Massey, is a well known heart specialist, a member of
the Philadelphia country medical society and an editor of a cardiology
publication.
Mr. William E. Groben, is the Chief Architect of the U.S. Forest Service
Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
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Mr. Grover C. Ladner, was appointed to the PA State Supreme Court by
Gov. Duff
1953 - Mr. Harry J. Foster is a chief court stenographer at Philadelphia
City Hall.
Dr. Bernard Love received a PhD in chemistry from Columbia University.
He researched poison ivy.
1954 - Lt. Col. George Doyle was the Air Force advisor to Secretary of
State Dean Acheson at the Japanese Treaty Conference in Washington,
D.C. He is a specialist in far eastern regions.
Dr. Eugene Markley Landis, is the George Higginson Professor of
Physiology at Harvard Medical School and the president of the American
Physiology Association.
Dr. Samuel Baer, was elected attending physician at the Albert Einstein
Medical Center
Dr. Allan G. Chester published a book on Hugh Latimer, a preacher
during the English Reformation
1955 - Many of Northeast’s teachers are alumni –
Mr. Judson L. Folker, ’07, teaches fin and applied arts
Mr. Carl Heim, ’27, teaches English
Mr. Leonard Silverman, ’25, teaches Science
Mr. William C. Tuttle is the Vice President of the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania
Mr. James Parker was the leading scorer at Cheyney State Teachers
College in basketball and the Delaware Valley leading scorer.
1956 – Mr. Charles C. Smith was elected Auditor General of the State of
Pennsylvania
Meyer Brandschain is a sports writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer
1957 – Clellan Mitchell was elected president of the Savings and Loan
Association of Pennsylvania
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From the June 1956 yearbook: “…the Trophy Case…is the symbol of the
greatness of our school.”
Another Northeast High School tradition is the Class Pin. Here are
samples of 1950s class pins:
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Northeast provided many extra
curricular opportunities for its
students
Data compiled by all students from 1950 – 1957 Megaphone and
yearbooks.
List written by Russell Eck, Joseph Stalmaster and Phil Capanna.
Athletics: Basketball, Football, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, Track,
Cross Country, Fencing, Bowling, Crew, Gymnastics, Tennis, Golf, Table
Tennis, Boxing and Ping Pong Teams
1956 Cross Country Squad
1954 – 1955 “Dribblers” included co-captains James “Tee” Parham and
William “Sonny” Hill
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1955 Baseball Team
1955 Bowling Team
1955 Fencing Team
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Music: Orchestra, Swing Band, Band, Choir, Mastersingers (choral
group), Glee Club
1956 Glee Club
Clubs: Executive Committee, Tribunal (school court), Library Squad,
Locker Squad, Statecraft Squad, Theatrical Electrical Club, Drama Club,
German Club, Stamp Club, NE-KHS (Kensington High School) Dance
Committee, Cheerleading, Rocket Society, Honor Society, Original HI-Y,
Interscholastic Team, Megaphone, Press Photo Club, Leaders Club (to
stop hall walking and noise)
1956 Interscholastic League (Presidents, VPs, Senators, Chief Justices,
Students Editors of Philadelphia schools)
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1955 Northeast High School Senate
Important Awards / Honors / Championships
Bellamy Award – 1951
“NE First School in State to Merit Such Distinction” (Megaphone,
10/11/51)
Track team and Bowling Team came out on top (1951)
Megaphone took first place in a press content (1951)
Tennis Team comes in 2nd to Central (1952)
Students won fifth place at Science Fair contest (1953)
Northeast had championship football, soccer and bowling teams (1953)
Northeast swim team won championship (1953)
Public League Basketball – 2nd place (1953)
Morrison Trophy (retained possession) (1953) – given for sports
leadership top honors
Nor
Fencing Team was 2nd (1954)
Public League Soccer Cup (1954)
Championship track teams (1954)
City Football Trophy (1954)
Two varsity men won individual Fencing crowns (1954)
Fencing Team was PA State co-champions (1955)
Championship bowling teams (1955)
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Track Team won city crown, basketball finished second, and Northeast
won in tennis (1956)
Northeast beat Central at annual Thanksgiving Day game (1956)
Undefeated in football; tied with St. James for City Championship (1956)
Megaphone won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Medalist
Award (1956)
Kristen Arthurs and Krista Ketter searching copies of the Megaphone
Summary of our evidence of why the
school moved and became coeducational in 1957
In the minutes of the School Board of Philadelphia, PA on March 10,
1953, it states:
“From the President of Northeast High School Alumni
Association requesting that the name of the new high school
located at Teesdale and Algon Avenue be the Northeast High
School, and the Faculty, traditions, alumni, endowments, and
aspirations of Northeast be transferred to this new school.”
The School Board members in 1953 were Mr. FitzPatrick, Miss Golden,
Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Loesche (Class of 1905), Mr. McDonough, Mr.
Obermayer, Dr. Pollock, Mr. Swenson, Dr. Turner, Mr. Weinrott,
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Mr. Walter Biddle Saul (President), Mr. Downs, Mr. Greenberg and
Dr. Lucchesi. The Philadelphia Bulletin covered the story on March 11,
1953 – “Suggest Moving Northeast High.” According to the article,
Frederick C. Flechter, Jr. (’28), president of the NEHS Alumni
Association, proposed that the “new school be co-educational and
devoted primarily to science and the technology arts.” Mr. Flechter also
asked that the “name, traditions, and endowments” of the present school
(8th and Lehigh) be transferred to the new one. The other members of the
Alumni Association Executive Committee were J. Alfred Covey (’10), H.
Birchard Taylor (’01), and Walter J. Schob (’22). By the time the school
building at Cottman and Algon Ave. was dedicated, the School Board
Vice President was William H. Loesche (Class of 1905). (The Alumni
Association of Northeast High School 75th Anniversary Historical Record
1890 – 1965.)
Apparently the School Board was planning to build a new school at
a “30-acre tract bounded by Algon, Glendale and Summerdale Aves.”
“Architectural plans for the $6,000,000 projected structure are being
drawn by Gallinger Co.” (Phila. Bulletin, 3/11/53) According to the
Bulletin on May 8, 1953, “Northeast High Site Approved,” the School
Board authorized the purchase of a 43 acre site for $500,000. In School
Board minutes dated September 8, 1953, the Board approved a contract
with the Ballinger Company to “perform all architectural and engineering
services required for the construction of a new high school building at
Cottman and Glendale Aves., the estimated cost of the project to be
$5,500,000.”
This was the second time the Alumni Association was instrumental
in moving Northeast High School. In an interview with Dr. Walter S.
Cornell, Class of 1893, the last known survivor in 1965 of the Pioneer
Class, “A group of my classmates went to Mayor Samuel H. Ashbridge
and said to him: There is a lot of vacant ground up at 8th and Lehigh
Ave. which was once condemned to be a reservoir and never used. We
would like to have that for a nice new school building to replace the old
brick one where we have been holding forth the last eight years. In some
way or other they got his interest. They went to Council and passed an
ordinance. The lot was given to the Board of Education and the building
was constructed.” (The Alumni Association of Northeast High School 75th
Anniversary Historical Record 1890 – 1965, page 13). The dedication of
the 8th and Lehigh school on November 17, 1905 was sponsored by the
Alumni Association. It included a luncheon at Philadelphia’s Union
League. The Alumni Association, with the help of Philadelphia’s mayor
and president of the Board of Education, helped bring then Princeton
University President Woodrow Wilson to deliver the main address. Other
speakers included Philadelphia’s Mayor John Weaver. At a Alumni
Association banquet on November 18 held at the Majestic Hotel, Broad
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Street and Girard Ave., the guest of honor was Horace W. Castor of the
architectural firm that designed the 8th and Lehigh Ave. school.
In the booklet, The Alumni Association of Northeast High School 75th
Anniversary Historical Record: 1890 - 1965, (page 33) it states “In
1954 at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Northeast
Alumni Association, it was agreed that the increase in students body
required a new building…Frank A. Bedford, ’95, a former member of the
Board of Education of Philadelphia made an appointment… to confer
with Mr. Anderson, business manager of the Board of Education,
regarding a new building. In offering the new site, Mr. Anderson made
two points, that the next new building was to be on a site at Cottman
and Algon Aves. in the Northeast area and that is must be coeducational… The Northeast Alumni Association Executive Committee
unanimously accepted the proposed site. The Board of Education made
the final decision.” (Note: The date, 1954, is incorrect according to the
Board of Education minutes. The Board of Education approved “the move”
in March 1953. The decision was also in the Philadelphia Bulletin in
March 1953.)
We looked through Northeast High School yearbooks from 1945 –
1957 to determine if the school’s population was increasing to require a
new building. We counted the number of graduates. (Philadelphia high
schools had graduations in January and June until 1965.)
January 1947 – 303 graduates
June 1947 – 543 graduates
Total: 846
January 1950 – 249 graduates
June 1950 – 412 graduates
Total: 661
January 1951 – 350 graduates
June 1951 – 304 graduates
Total: 654
January 1952 - 251 graduates
June 1952 - 310 graduates
Total: 561
January 1955 – 147 graduates
June 1955 – 232 graduates
Total: 379
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900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
January
June
Total
1947
1950
1951
1952
1955
Northeast High School Number of Graduates
According to graduation rates, the school’s population was not increasing
but was decreasing. There was an increase in the number of African
American graduates. The following is the number of African American
graduates each year:
January
January
January
January
January
January
/ June
/ June
/ June
/ June
/ June
1957:
1947:
1951:
1952:
1955:
1956:
4.7% of graduates
10.9% of graduates
17.3% of graduates
22.0% of graduates
36.6% of graduates
46.4% of graduates
50.00%
40.00%
1947
1951
30.00%
1952
20.00%
1955
1956
10.00%
1957
0.00%
African American Graduates of Northeast High School
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When we examined the Megaphone on data for incoming students
(“Freshmen”), there is also a decline in enrollment from the 1940s to
1950s. The enrollment leveled off in the 1950s. (Philadelphia High
Schools were three year school. Junior Highs included 9th graders.)
February 17, 1944 issue: 799 Freshmen
October 5, 1944 issue: 1400 Freshmen
February 1945:
“almost 800” Freshmen
October 4, 1945 issue: 1,042 Freshmen
February 4, 1948 issue: 749 Freshmen (article also states there
were 668 Freshmen in February 1947)
October 7, 1948 issue: 869 Freshmen from 16 Junior High Schools
September 1951 – 702 Freshmen
September 1952 – 621 Freshmen
March 11, 1953 issue: 430 Freshmen from 11 Junior High Schools
(FitzSimons, Penn Treaty, Vaux, Stetson, Cook, etc.)
October 21, 1953 issue: 613 Freshmen from 14 Junior High Schools
(Stetson, Penn Treaty, FitzSimons, Jones, Vaux, Cook, etc.)
October 20, 1954 issue: 695 Freshmen from 13 Junior High Schools
March 10, 1954 issue: 406 Freshmen
March 16, 1955 issue: 393 Freshmen from 7 Junior High Schools
October 19, 1955 issue: 604 Freshmen from 10 Junior High Schools
March 14, 1956 issue: 323 Freshmen from 9 Junior High Schools
Freshmen enrollment 1944 - 1955
1400
1200
1944
1000
1948
800
600
1951
1952
1953
400
1954
200
1955
0
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Not everyone agreed with moving the “Faculty, traditions, alumni,
endowments, and aspirations of Northeast” to a school about 10 miles
from its location at 8th and Lehigh Aves. In an opinion piece on June 8,
1965 by Northeaster James Smart, a columnist for The Bulletin, he
states “The School was an awesome subculture which made its own
rules, where education sometimes seemed to be subsidiary to the
overpower idea of Northeast uber alles. It was like no other high school
in the city with the possible but never admitted to exception of Central
High… anyone who wanted to bother could learn more than at most high
schools… The product of the school was an incredibly high-quality
Man…” Smart says the move “produced a trauma among the alumni.”
He ends with a “healing” on the 75th anniversary of the school where
“alumni are beginning to feel that maybe a girl can be a genuine
Northeaster.”
Joseph Stalmaster, Russell Eck, Wil Green and Philip Capana findings
information in the Megaphone
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Conclusions
Based on our research from the census data, the Philadelphia
Bulletin and Megaphone newspaper articles and NEHS
yearbook, the Alumni Association probably requested the
school be moved because the neighborhood near 8th and
Lehigh Aves. was changing racially, economically and socially.
Philadelphia’s demographic changes were also changing the
demographics of the school’s student population. The oral
history interviews did not provide conclusive evidence though
some of the men interviewed confirmed our findings regarding
the neighborhood at 8th and Lehigh Aves. and the changing
demographics of the school’s population. Because Northeast
alumni had influence over Philadelphia’s School Board and
city officials, they were able to influence the School Board to
move the school as long as the Alumni Association agreed to a
co-educational school. At the time of the School Board’s
decision, the vice president of the School Board was an
alumnus.
Though we do not have written proof that the Alumni Association’s
decision was racially or economically motivated, we know that the
neighborhood was “changing” from census data. We viewed Philadelphia
census data from 1940, 1950 and 1960. We looked at three census
tracks adjoining 8th and Lehigh Ave. and three census tracks adjoining
Cottman and Algon Aves. The African American population in North
Philadelphia, like Philadelphia’s in general, was increasing. The
Northeast section of the city was nearly 100% European American. North
Philadelphia’s population housing values and income levels were also
lower than the Northeast though the income levels by 1960 for North
Philadelphia were near the city’s median income level.
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90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
"White"
"Negro"
"Other"
1940
1950
1960
Philadelphia’s Population from Census Data 1940 – 1960
Population
(NOTE: The census data in the 1940s – 1960s used the term “Negro” for
African American. Also, everyone labeled “foreign born” was considered
‘white.” In 1940 and 1950, anyone not listed as “white” or “Negro” were
labeled “other races.” 1960 was the first time Puerto Ricans were listed
separate from “other races.”
Philadelphia’s population was 1,931,334 in 1940, 2,071,605 in 1950
and 2,002,512 in 1960. In 1940, 87% of Philadelphia’s were “white” and
13% were “Negro” (term used in the census data). In 1950, 82% of
Philadelphians were “white” , 17% were “Negro” and 1.4% “other races.”
By 1960, 73% of Philadelphians were “white”, 26% were “Negro” and .3%
“other.” 1960 is the first time the census data includes people of Puerto
Rican heritage.
As Philadelphia’s African American population increased, North
Philadelphia’s African American population increased. In 1940, the 8th
and Lehigh Area was 94% “white” and 6% “Negro.” From 1950 – 1960,
the African American population in North Philadelphia went from 9% to
28%. By 1960, 1.7% of the population near 8th and Lehigh was Puerto
Rican. In the Northeast, the “white” population in 1940, 1950, and 1960
the “white” population was 99.9%.
27
"White"
"Negro"
North Philadelphia’s population near 8th and Lehigh Aves. in 1940
"White"
"Negro"
Puerto Rican
North Philadelphia’s population near 8th and Lehigh Aves. in 1960
Housing
We also saw a change in housing ownership. In 1940, 99.7% of homes
in North Philadelphia were owned by “whites.” From 1950 – 1960, the
number of African Americans that owned homes went from 5% - 29%.
Northeast Philadelphia’s homes were owned only by “whites.”
Housing values increased in Philadelphia from 1940 - 1960 from $3866
to $8700. Housing values in the Northeast from 1940 – 1960 were 1.5
times greater than the city average. In North Philadelphia, houses in
1940 were 75% of the average city value and decreased to 68% of the
average city value by 1960. Therefore, the actual value of homes in
North Philadelphia decreased.
Housing development was dramatically greater in Northeast Philadelphia
because before 1950 it was predominantly open space; North
Philadelphia housing was built before the 1930s. For example, from
1940 – 1949, 708 houses were built in Northeast Philadelphia but none
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were built in North Philadelphia. From 1950 – 1960, 2159 houses were
built in the Northeast while 8 were built in North Philadelphia.
Income/Education
In 1950, North Philadelphians earned 68% and Northeast Philadelphians
1.5 times more than the median income in Philadelphia
($2869/annually). By 1960, North Philadelphian’s earned 95% and
Northeast Philadelphians earned 1.7 times the median income in
Philadelphia ($4248/annually).
Therefore, North Philadelphia were
gaining income by 1960.
In 1940, the median years of school completed for Philadelphia was 8.2.
By 1960, Philadelphia’s median was 9.6. North Philadelphia had a
similar education level to the city as a whole (8.03 in 1940 and 8.65 in
1960. Northeast Philadelphia’s median years completed was consistently
higher (1940 – 9.26 years and 1960 – 11.33 years.)
Social Changes
From newspaper articles, we found there was concern about crime in
North Philadelphia and federal funding of housing projects. The article
on crime quotes the police commissioner who primarily blames the
African American community. The housing articles focus on development
of low income housing in North Philadelphia. In contrast, an article on
the Northeast describes an industrial boom.
According to an article in The Bulletin on March 31, 1954,
“Community Anti-Crime War,” “crime prevention officials last night
targeted a sprawling section of North Philadelphia between the two rivers
and Poplar St. and Lehigh Ave. as a pilot area in the war against crime.”
According to the article, this section of the city had the highest crime
rate. The article highlights recent murders and gang fights. The Police
Commissioner Thomas Gibbons was quoted as saying “You people
(referring to African Americans) live in an area that for some reason or
other has been branded as the ‘crime belt.’ And yet, I’ve never heard any
of you complain about that name. There are more taprooms per block in
this area than anywhere else in the city…There are more speakeasies all
over the district… All of you must take a more active interest. If you
don’t take steps for your own good, if you don’t co-operate with the
police, then you will continue to have crime and hoodlums. It’s up to
you.” Three ministers took issue with the charge that leaders aren’t
doing their share in fighting crime. One said, “We complain about
conditions but nothing happens. People here feel their backs are against
the wall, that there is no help for them.” The hope was for the plan to
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form a committee and higher a full-time educator would help lower
crime.
Two articles on housing, “U.S. Oks Nearly 3 Million for Norris
Housing Project,” (The Bulletin, 8/7/51) and “Slum Clearance Project
Begun at 10th and Norris” (The Bulletin, Feb. 2, 1952) give information
on low income housing being built in North Philadelphia. The area is not
adjacent to 8th and Lehigh but it is about 8 blocks away.
Another article on housing, “City Reports Good Progress on 2 Big
Housing Projects,” (The Bulletin, Oct. 26, 1952), states the city’s “first
big low-rent public housing apartment centers are beginning to take
shape at 22nd and Diamond and 10th and Norris (Streets).” The projects
included 1,122 homes in apartment buildings. It was “the first post-war
public housing and slum clearance operation undertaken jointly by the
Housing Authority and the Redevelopment Authority.” 22nd and
Diamond is closer to Northeast’s athletic fields than 8th and Lehigh. In a
1957 article on housing, “$1 Million Given By U.S. to Clear N. Phila.
Slum” (The Bulletin, 5/15/57), states the city received federal money to
clear three and half acres in North Philadelphia for public housing. In
the early 1960s, article from 1962 (“Labor Agrees to Join War on N.
Philadelphia Social Troubles”) (“U.S. to Assist N. Philadelphia Plan for
Juveniles”) continue to portray North Philadelphia as a “problem.”
In contrast, a March 10, 1961 article in The Bulletin calls Northeast
Philadelphia “The City’s Last Frontier.” According to the article, “The Silk
Stocking Wealth is Gone but New Plants Bustle in Northeast,” “more
than 70,000 person are employed in industries in the Great Northeast…
22% of the city’s entire industrial labor force.” “There are nearly 1,000
manufacturing plants in the Northeast. That’s about one-fifth of all
plants in the city.”
Another social issue is raised with the addition of classes for “slow
learners” at the 8th and Lehigh Aves. school. In 1956 for a new
Philadelphia School District program for “slow learners.” In The Bulletin
on July 23, 1956, “New Northeast High School Will be Co-Educational,”
it states “… occupational courses are being developed for slow learners
with little academic desire and aptitude, so that the reorganized school
(at 8th and Lehigh Aves.) may serve directly the needs of certain
students.” In September 27, 1956, a Bulletin article, “Schools to Try
Experiment in Class for Slow Learners,” “graduation from high school in
two years for slow learners is to be tried next year in a small
experimental way in the Philadelphia public schools.” It was a “two-year
terminal occupational course for slow-learning boys and girls… The
classes for boys will be in a part of the old Northeast High School at 8th
and Lehigh Aves…. the present building will receive a new name.” If
Northeast High School had remained at 8th and Lehigh, would it have
been selected for a “slow learners” program?
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When we interviewed alumni, the reasons for moving the school were
varied. Some said it moved because it belonged in the “northeast”
section of the city. Others said it moved because the neighborhood at 8th
and Lehigh was changing and race and class played a role. (See
“Alumni Interviews.”) According to our research, the school became coeducational because it was part of the agreement made with the School
Board in order to relocate the school. The School Board was not going to
build two schools to maintain a single gender school. It should be
noted that the building at 8th and Lehigh Ave., which was renamed
Edison High School, remained a “boys school.” Philadelphia had a
number of single gender schools until the 1980s. For example, Central
High School became co-educational in 1983 following a court ruling.
Other Philadelphia schools like Edison High School, William Penn High
School, Kensington High School and Ben Franklin High School also
became co-educational in the 1980s.
What we would like to
find out…
It is clear why Northeast High School became co-educational. But,
why did Northeast became a neighborhood school when it moved to
the Northeast? Why didn’t it accept students from around
Philadelphia just like Central High School?
Northeast was originally designated for students “north of Broad
Street and north or east of Ridge Ave.” (Archive 75 by Philomena G.
O’Hanlon) At 8th and Lehigh, there was an initial entrance exam.
Students came from throughout North Philadelphia, Kensington, Logan,
Frankford, and other Philadelphia neighborhoods. Students were from
up to 12 Junior High Schools in the 1950s. At the Northeast location,
the policy changed. According to The Bulletin article dated 7/23/56,
“New Northeast High School Will Be Co-Educational,” “about 2800 boys
at the present old Northeast High building, 8th and Lehigh Aves., will not
be transferred…. Students who come under the ‘grandfather clause’ of
school regulations – whose grandfathers went to Northeast – may ask to
be transferred to the new school.” This was different than what
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happened when Central High School moved in 1938/9. “About 70% of
the academic pupils were transferred...” “But, there will no such mass
transfer of pupils to the new Northeast High.”
In a Philadelphia Inquirer article, “Northeast High Opens Monday,”
(2/7/57), 168 students were transferred from Olney High School, 863
from Lincoln High, 51 from Frankford High and other students were
recent graduates of Wilson and Fels Junior High Schools. The new
school’s boundary lines were “… Roosevelt Blvd. to the east, Knorr St.,
Montour St., and Tyson Streets on the south, city Line, Cottman Ave.,
and Fillmore Sts. on the west and Pennypack Creek on the North.”
(George Washington High School was not built in 1957.)
Because Northeast became a neighborhood school, and only
allowed grandchildren of alumni to attend the new school at
Cottman and Algon Aves., the school became a European-American
school. There were few African American students in Philadelphia in
the late 1950s – 1960s whose grandfathers had attended Northeast High
School. In the Intergroup Education Action Research Seminar Report on
Northeast High School, 1960 – 1961, it highlights “certain unique
characteristics of the school and the community, however, are of prime
significance… Until about a decade ago, Northeast Philadelphia was a
suburban, almost rural, community…. Occupied almost entirely by
middle class, white, Protestant families…. With the population explosion
in the city and the population shifts to the outlying suburbs during the
last decade, the Northeast section of Philadelphia underwent
phenomenal growth and development…. With this rapid influx came a
change in the ethnic pattern of the community. Most of the newcomers
were Jewish families, whose culture, language, and religion were very
different from those of the original German-American Protestants. When
Northeast High School opened in its new location at Algon and Cottman
Aves. in February 1957, the school population was approximately twothirds Jewish. To date, this proportion has increased to about threefourths… There are six Negro pupils in Northeast High School… A few
Chinese families live in the area…” The seminar posed two questions.
The first was how to “help its Jewish and Gentile students understand,
appreciate and respect each other.” The second question was “How can
Northeast High School, an almost completely white school, help its
students to understand, appreciate, and respect people of other races?”
By looking through Northeast yearbooks, we found between January
1959 – June 1961, 1937 students graduated from Northeast High
School. 1000 were females and 937 were males. All but two of the
graduates were European-American. There were two African American
male graduates. By creating a neighborhood school, Northeast was no
longer an integrated high school.
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This did not begin to change until the late 1970s when the School
Board instituted a voluntary integration program. By 1978 – 1979,
13.7% of Northeast students were African American and 1.2% Latino. By
1981 – 1982, 26.1% of Northeasters were African American and 1.4%
Latino. (School Board pupil enrollment data). In the Northeast High
School evaluation from April 1979, 75% of the students live inside the
geographic boundaries and 25% attend for the Science Magnet School or
as part of the integration program. “The majority of Northeast High
students are members of average, white middle class families which
English is the spoken language….about 17% of the students are black
(and from outside of the geographic area)…. We also have recent
Russian, Greek and Israeli families…learning the English language… The
students who come to Northeast from outside the geographic boundaries
of Northeast represent all areas of the city and all ethnic backgrounds.
This influx reestablishes Northeast as a city school rather than an area
school, and we now reflect the city profile … rather than an isolated
community.” Therefore, it took more than 20 years for Northeast High
School to again become an integrated high school.
future steps
Through our research we assume the racial, economic and social
changes in the neighborhood near 8th and Lehigh Aves. were some of the
reasons the Alumni Association approached the School Board to ask
that Northeast High School be moved. Though the school is now
geographically in the northeast section of Philadelphia, it does not
explain why the new building at Cottman and Algon had to be named
“Northeast High School.” When Lincoln (1950) and Washington High
Schools were built (1963), they received new names. The reason also
could not have been the age or condition of the building at 8th and Lehigh
Aves. The building at 8th and Lehigh remained Edison High School until
1988 when Edison was given a long promised new building near Front
and Hunting Park Aves. Today, the building at 8th and Lehigh is Julio
DeBurgos Middle School.
We learned that some alumni from the 1950s supported the move
and others did not. We learned that some people who lived near 8th and
Lehigh and attended the building when it became “Edison High School”
did not support the move. Nevertheless, our research is not complete. In
order to find our why the school was moved, we need to find the NEHS
Alumni Association minutes from the early 1950s to read about the
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discussion held by the Alumni Association Executive Committee
that prompted them to request a move. According to The Alumni
Association of NEHS 75th Anniversary Historical Record (1965), the
booklet was created with “information from Association minutes, the
Treasurer’s records that are available… and newspaper articles.
Therefore, there may be minutes. We also need to interview many more
people, including many more alumni from the 1950s, alumni from the
1940s and Edison High School alumni from 1957 – mid 1960s who chose
to stay at 8th and Lehigh Ave. We could put an advertisement in the
Alumni Association newsletter and in local papers to find more alumni to
interview. A few students met alumni by chance (in a barber shop and
at an electronics store) who told them the school was moved because 8th
and Lehigh was becoming a “slum” neighborhood. Unfortunately, we
assume the School Board members are not alive and therefore we’d have
to try to find the connections between the Alumni Association
members to School Board members to determine how political
connections influenced the decision. We do know Walter Biddle Saul,
Esq., president of the School Board, was the guest speaker at the
Alumni Association’s Annual Banquet in 1953. (The Alumni Association
of NEHS 75th Anniversary Historical Record) We also need to find more
information on the status of the School Board in the 1950s since it
was under the Philadelphia Court. Lastly, we need to examine more
census data. We need to look at the neighborhood data from the
feeder Junior High Schools in 1940, 1950 and 1960. For example,
FitzSimmons, a feeder Junior High School, is in the Strawberry
Mansion section of Philadelphia. When did the population of Strawberry
Mansion change from predominantly European-American to AfricanAmerican? If there was a demographic change in the feeder Junior
High Schools population, did this influence the decision?
Front door, 8th and Lehigh Ave.
34
Interview with Northeast High
School and Edison High School
Alumni
Dave Carr
Interviewed by Evan Lessa and Michael Ivers
Written by Evan Lessa
Mr. Dave Carr graduate from Northeast High School in 1950. He
lived near Kensington Ave. and Orleans Street. He started out in the
academic program but switched to the vocational art course. Art was his
favorite class and he least enjoyed math. He was involved in Cross
Country and followed the other sports teams. He had a lot of good
friends in high school
His most memorable time at Northeast was when the legendary Babe
Ruth visited and signed the Northeast autograph book. Many famous
people visited Northeast. The great linebacker on the New York Giants
was recently at the Alumni Luncheon at Dugans Restaurtant in May
2000.
When asked why he thought the school was moved in 1957, Mr. Carr
said Northeast had was growing and needed a school; northeast is
where it should be. It had to be co-educational because the girls needed
to go somewhere too. It would have made no sense to build two schools.
35
Ronald H. Colston
Interviewed and written by Elizabeth Jean and Patricia McGonagle
Mr. Colston attended Northeast High School from 1953 – 1956. He
lived in North Philadelphia, a couple of blocks from Dobbins High School.
He was required to take English, chemistry, physics, biology, algebra,
geometry, and trigonometry. He liked all subjects because school was
fun. “When I went to school, it was all boys so the teachers could let
their hair down, it was less rigid, and it was always fun going to school.”
Mr. Colston was involved in extracurricular activities like all the other
students at Northeast. He played football and in the three years he was
there, they only lost one game in 1954. He was also involved in track.
According to him, everyone who went to Northeast was involved in sports
because that was what Northeast was known for beside academics. He
liked the teamwork. It didn’t matter where you were from; it was a
melting pot. School pride was awesome. One of the saddest days in his
life was when he had to graduate. If he could change anything about his
high school experience, it would be to have his picture in the yearbook.
Mr. Colston was the only African American on the prom committee and
traditionally the members would have their pictures put in the yearbook.
His picture wasn’t in the yearbook. He will never forget; there was a
certain amount of racism.
Mr. Colston believes when the decision was made to move Northeast
everyone was mad. It meant the trophies were being moved up to the
“boondocks.” Although they appreciated the school becoming coeducational, “the girls didn’t earn those trophies.” The school would
eventually become co-educational because the laws changed and forced
schools to go co-ed. He assumed the school was going to move because
the neighborhood was changing.
36
Jim Eagen Jr.
Interviewed and written by Jennifer Miller and Michelle Longenecker
Mr. Eagen graduated from Northeast in June 1950 with over 400
students. He lived in Harrowgate; he walked from the 34oo block of
Kensington Ave. to 8th and Leigh Ave. He studied math, history, music,
English and the required mechanical arts classes like machine shop and
pattern making. He worked on the Megaphone staff doing “gopher” jobs;
he worked after school. He enjoyed high school because of friendships
but lost contact with most people. They didn’t have a reunion until the
50th anniversary.
Northeast had students from all over Philadelphia – West Philly,
South Philly, Somerton, Holmsburg, Kensington, and all over the city.
When he started school, Lincoln High School wasn’t built. He lived
closer to Frankford High School than Frankford. He doesn’t know what
it would have been like to go to a co-educational high school. He thinks
the move had to do with City Hall politics; they didn’t want to build two
schools so it became co-educational.
Ira Feldman
Interviewed and written by Joe Stalmaster and Phil Capanna
Mr. Feldman started at Northeast in January 1949. He lived in
Strawberry Mansion and Logan neighborhoods. He took the academic
track and loved music. He liked everything about high school, especially
going to the games. He wishes he had played in the band.
He thinks the school moved because of the declining population in
the area (at 8th and Lehigh Aves.) The school was old but it became
Edison so it wasn’t that. The northeast boom is why is became co-ed.
He didn’t like the idea of moving the school because of nostalgia and
“who wants to move?” Northeast’s legacy is the bond it creates between
people. It is a place where you can achieve and try to get ahead while
remembering where you come from.
Harry Gilbert
Interviewed and written by Cortney Catallo and Jillian Stoerrle
We interviewed Mr. Gilbert, a current Northeast high school teacher.
He did not attend Northeast High School. He attended the building at 8th
and Lehigh Aves. when it became Edison High School. He entered
Edison in September 1965 and graduated in June 1968. He lived in
37
Fishtown and went to Edison High School because he attended Penn
Treaty Jr. High, an Edison feeder school.
He still recalls many of his high school days. He described his
memories in great detail. He had many requirements for graduation
including English, Spanish or French, Physical Education, Math and
Science. “The worst subjects were taught by the driest teachers.” He
was active in the school yearbook and newspaper. He wasn’t confident
enough to try out for baseball and football. “I was lazy. I just wanted to
get good grades and go home.”
Many of his memories were not what he called “fond.” He feared
going to school each day. Edison’s location at 8th and Lehigh wasn’t a
great neighborhood by 1965. To top it off, the fields weren’t even near
the school; they were at 29th and Clearfield. “It was tough enough being
white at 2:30 pm at 8th and Lehigh; I wasn’t going to test 29th and
Clearfield at 4:30 pm.” “Remember the good times. They seem to get
better with age. The older you get, the better the old days seem.”
There were good reasons to move the school but a NEW location
should be a NEW name. 8th and Lehigh should have stayed Northeast.
Cottman and Algon should have been Edison. The decision “sucked.”
There was a mass exodus of Jewish and other whites from North Philly to
north of Bridge Street. The alumni had political connections. No one
wants to graduate from a good school that becomes bad. In truth,
Northeast was always “2nd banana” to Central High. South Philadelphia
High went through a similar process but they stayed in the
neighborhood. If Northeast would have stayed at 8th and Lehigh we
might have had alumni, scholarships, better teachers and staff.
Al Goodyear
Written by Antonio Cobette
Mr. Al Goodyear attended Northeast High School from 1949 – 1952.
He graduated with the class of 100. He was a fan of math but didn’t like
language classes.
When Mr. Goodyear was in school, the northeast section of
Philadelphia was still growing and it needed a new school. New houses
and stores were built. More people were moving to the northeast.
Though the new school was newer and better, he didn’t like the change.
He said “putting the name Northeast on a building I had never attended
leaves me feeling cold.” He said he felt like a stranger visiting the new
school.
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Donald Hackney
Interviewed by Agnieszka and Casey Maron
Written by Agnieszka Szymula
Donald Hackney graduated Northeast High School in January of
1957. His is a retired high school teacher and is presently very active in
the Northeast Alumni Association. He will become the president of the
Alumni Association next year.
Donald Hackney shared many high school memories with us. He
belonged to many extracurricular activities such as basketball and track.
As a class officer, he set an example to others that you can achieve
anything you want in your life if you really want it. He was also one of
three Honor Men.
Honor Men were chosen for being the most
outstanding academically and athletically for each graduating class.
Each Honor Man received a golden watch.
When Mr. Hackney attended Northeast it was located at 8th and
Lehigh Aves. He remembers how most African American were chased
from school by whites. By 1955, as the neighborhood changed racially,
this threat changed. It wasn’t such a great memory but one that is still
in his head. At the time, the school was said to the third greatest and
richest school in the United States.
Mr. Hackney said the uprooting of the high school and moving the
name to the northeast was a major event in the lives of the students at
39
that time. He believes the school was moved for two reasons. In the eyes
of his African American peers the decision to move the school was
racially motivated. Until 1950, the school was predominantly European
American. As the racial composition of the city changed, more African
American began to attend Northeast High School. The assumption was
the “powers that be” in Philadelphia, many who were Northeast
graduates, were not going to let Northeast High School become a
predominantly African American school. Since the new school was being
built in the northeast section of the city, they could move the school’s
name with less conflict. The school’s new location would be modern and
state of the art. He has a friend went to Overbrook; he said Overbrook
High School was a predominantly Jewish school. Today it is an African
American school. The Overbrook Alumni Association can’t relate to the
current student body and vice versa. That probably would have
happened to Northeast High School.
He didn’t like that the school was moved because it was his school and
like his family. Students had no say for the most part in whether or not
the school would be moved. The student body was not made aware of
what was happening.
Mr. Hackney & Casey Maron
40
Gerald Mayall
Interviewed and written by Janki Patel and Jobby Philip
Gerald Mayall graduated from Northeast High School in June 1954.
He lived near Front and Tioga. It was a two mile walk to school. He was
required to take college preparation courses such as math, science,
social science, and English. They were not required to take any shop
classes. He enjoyed chemistry. He had an incredible teacher named L.K.
Smith that inspired him. He enjoyed all of his classes; “school was a
blast.” He played soccer and they were city champions. He was also the
treasurer of the senior class. The school had a huge impact on him. He
became a science teacher and coached soccer at the University of
Pennsylvania.
He enjoyed Northeast because “we were a band of brothers.” He had
outstanding teachers. He thought it was a great idea to move the school
to Cottman and Algon Aves. He found out it was moving at an Alumni
Association meeting in 1955. It was exciting because there would be a
brand new building, new labs, and the sports fields were right out back.
At 8th and Lehigh the students had to take trolleys to get to the sports
fields. Nevertheless, there was a lot of criticism at the time about moving
the school. He thinks the Alumni Association wanted the school in the
northeast to have a more academic student body. The school had to
become co-educational. All boys schools were on their way out. He
taught at Northeast when it became co-educational and liked it both
ways.
Patricia McGonale , Elizabeth Jean, Janki Patel and Jobby Philip searching
the Megaphone for information on Northeast High School.
41
Frank Mertens
Interviewed and written by Christine Griffis and Oksana Padus
Joseph Rosskowski, Christine Griffis, Frank Mertens
Frank Mertens attended Northeast High School from 1947 – 1950.
He lived near Kensington and Somerset Aves. He walked to school to
save money; the #54 trolley went near his house and pass the school. He
walked to cut down on “car fare” because he had to take the trolley to the
athletic fields at 29th and Clearfield and to an after school job. He took
the academic classes like English, math, history and science. Language
was optional but he took two years of Spanish. Students also took one
mechanical shop class each year. He participated in track and cross
country; he “lettered” two years in a row. He enjoyed high school
because of the friends he made. If he could change anything about his
high school experience, he wouldn’t have worked. Almost everyone had
an after school job to help their families.
Northeast High encouraged students to participate in activities.
Students were more determined than today. School was very formal;
some teachers required students to wear a tie in class. The school’s
42
legacy is its spirit, its alumni’s accomplishments and the Alumni
Association.
About a week after he graduate in June 1950, the Korean War
started. Many graduates joined the military; he joined the navy. When
they came back, they didn’t come back to the old neighborhoods; the
neighborhoods were changing. The school at 8th and Lehigh was
beautiful; it had a great big pipe organ and stained glass windows. But,
it was a fire trap and crowded. The land in the northeast was farm land.
Everyone was moving to the northeast. The Northeast Alumni
Association was powerful; they probably said “they’re building new
schools so we are going to get one.” He wasn’t there when the change
took place so it didn’t affect him.
Thomas Mulvihill and Chester Nieckoski
Interviewed and written by Greg Messer
Thomas Mulvihill and Greg Messer
Chester Nieckoski
Thomas Mulvihill and Chester Nieckoski graduated from Northeast
High School in 1953. They both lived in Port Richmond. Chester
prepared for an engineering career; most of his classes were in
Mechanical Arts. Thomas took the “regular” general education courses –
math, science and English.
Both men were Northeast athletes. Chester played JV baseball and
was a basketball forward. He has to stop playing because of an after
school job. Thomas played JV football; he was a center field man. Both
feel Northeast gave opportunities to enhance their education and sports
activities. Thomas said if he had gone to a Catholic high school, he
would not have been as interested. Chester said Northeast prepared him
for the future. They both enjoyed talking with other students and
enjoyed their teachers. Most of the teachers were men.
43
When asked about moving the school, Chester said he didn’t like the
decision because he thought it should have stayed at 8th and Lehigh.
“It’s now just a building to me.” He is glad, though, the new school took
the name proudly. The new school also had to change the school song.
It was “Loyal sons are us.” Now it is “Loyal all are we.” Thomas was
saddened by the move but he supported it. The 8th and Lehigh school
was getting run down.
According to Chester, the school was moved because of money. A lot
of kids stopped going to school when it moved. When they went to
Northeast, they thought it was like Central High School. The teachers
were great and they helped the students. One teacher, Dr. Young,
helped Chester get a job.
Philip Capanna, Dr. Pakman and Steven Jennings
Leonard Pakman
Interviewed and written by Steven Jennings and Russell Eck
Mr. Packman attended Northeast High School from January 1948 –
January 1951. He lived at 7th and Poplar Streets. It was out of the
district so he used his uncle’s store address at 22nd and Columbia (Cecil
B. Moore Ave. today). He took academic classes and enjoyed everything
except Chemistry 2. He was involved in student court and the Spanish
Club and he designed the class pin. He also liked being part of the
44
Honors Club because it was a group of about 25 kids who were close and
the teachers were the best.
Since Mr. Packman graduated in 1951, he wasn’t affected by the
move.
He assumes it was done for financial reasons and the
neighborhood was changing. He agreed with the move to co-educational
because it is better to attend a non-segregated school.
Joseph Rosskowski and Dave Nucklow
Interviewed and written by Jennifer Miller and Michelle Longenecker
Mr. Rosskowski and Mr. Nucklow attended Northeast High from 1947
– 1950. They lived near the school. Mr. Nucklow enjoyed history and
art but did not like math. Both took woodworking, metal shop, and auto
mechanics. Mr. Nucklow was involved in track and cross country. Mr.
Rosskowski was involved in Circle Hi-Y, baseball, football and fencing.
Both enjoyed the fellowship of friends. Most of their neighborhood friends
went to Northeast. Northeasters were orderly, disciplines and respectful.
They had to walk down the halls a certain way. When they entered
Morrison Hall it was like entering church.
Mr. Nucklow didn’t like the decision to move the school. He knew the
school was getting old and worn out. It would have remained an all boys
school; they learned more at an all boy’s school. Mr. Rosskowski said he
understood the need to move the school. The building was a fire trap at
8th and Lehigh. The inside was (is) all wood – the stairs and the floors.
The outside was (is) beautiful though. The school at Cottman and Algon
is in the Northeast; 8th and Lehigh became North Philly.
Mr. Nucklow thought money and religion played a role in moving the
school. A group who wanted their children to go to a new modern school
had the money so the new school was built. Both men thinks it became
co-educational because it was a sign of the times. He also said the
Second World War and the Korean War may have influenced the move.
Guys were getting killed and wounded. There were more women and
they couldn’t afford to build two schools. It had to go co-educational
though the former graduates didn’t want it to be co-educational.
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(back) Padus, Michelle Longenecker, Christine Griffis, Joseph
Rosskowski, Frank Mertens, Michael Ivers, Evan Lessa, (front)
Dave Nucklow, John Eagan, Dave Carr
John Smith
Interviewed and written by Krista Ketter
Mr. John Smith graduated from Edison High School in June 1961.
(Edison High School was the name given to the building at 8th and
Lehigh Aves. when the school moved in 1957). He attended Edison High
School because at the time they offered a very good arts and sports
program. He enjoyed his high school years. He worked for the school
newspaper, was on student council, was vide president of his class and
played sports.
Mr. Smith was in Junior High when the school was moved.
Nevertheless, the move was talked about for years. Not everyone was
happy. The students that had to stay at Edison felt they should be in a
new school not an old school with a new name. They were promised a
new school building. (The new Edison High School was not built until
1988.)
Edison High School’s legacy, according to Mr. Smith, became linked
to the Vietnam War. More students from Edison High School died in the
Vietnam War than any other high school in the U.S. This would be
Northeast’s legacy if the building at 8th and Lehigh Aves. remained
“Northeast High School.”
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Anthony Stagliano
Interviewed by Vidal Melendez, Michael Sanchez and Mohammad Lami
Written by Vidal Melendez
Mr. Stagliano started at Northeast High in 1948 and graduated in
1951. He lived in the Frankford section of the city, three blocks from
Frankford High School. He took two trolley cars to get to Northeast. It
took him an hour to get to school because he rather go to Northeast than
Frankford. He was a mechanic arts student and was undecided about
going to college after high school. The subjects he enjoyed the most were
math and Spanish. The subject he disliked was physics. He was
involved in football, track, swimming and was class president. He was
also one of four Honor Men.
He enjoyed Northeast because it was so unique and he was really
impressed with the faculty. He felt like he was in college instead of high
school. He liked the way the teachers treated him like an adult and not a
child. They had the freedom to leave school for lunch.
He believes the decision to move the school was a good decision and
geography had a lot to do with it. The northeast was farmland and there
were few homes. As the neighborhood grew, what a better name to give
the new school than Northeast! He was also glad the school became coeducational. Northeast was ahead of its time. It would also have been
too costly to build two schools. Since he was out of school the move
didn’t affect him. Since he lived in Frankford, if the school was at
Cottman and Aglon when he attended school, it would have been closer
to his home.
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Millard Wilkinson Jr.
Interviewed and written by Wil Green
Mr. Wilkinson attended Northeast High School from 1950 – 1953.
While attending Northeast, he lived in the Richmond neighborhood of
Philadelphia, near Frankford and Venango Streets. His classes included
language, algebra, geometry, zoology, physics, chemistry, English,
history and a wide variety of subjects. It was a heavy academic schedule.
He enjoyed math, chemistry and analytical type subjects. He wasn’t the
athletic type so he disliked gym. He was involved in the music program
and received a chorus award at graduation. He also had a part time job
after school which took time away from extra-curricular activities.
After graduation, Mr. Wilkinson attended and graduated from Drexel
University. He worked at Serta Mattress and eventually went into
politics. He was a mayor in New Jersey.
Mr. Wilkinson was involved in the Alumni Association when the
school moved in 1957. He believes the decision was a good one. The
area around Cottman and Algon was farmland and just developing into a
neighborhood. The area needed a new high school. The decision
contributed to bringing the old memorabilia to the new location to pass
on the school’s history. He would have liked if Northeast was coeducational when he attended.
Northeast’s legacy lies with its graduates. The graduates give
testimony to Northeast’s top quality as a high school.
Northeast Memorabilia of the 1950s
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Oral History Interviews
This book is dedicated to our Class 161 (June 2002)
Published in April 2002
Hail Northeast
Dr. A.O. Michener, NE ‘96
Near a busy city street
Stands a noble School:
Home of virtue, learning’s seat
Owning honor’s rule.
Straight and sturdy are thy walls
Built for strength and might,
So the teachings of thy halls
Guide our future right.
Refrain: Hail Northeast, Hail Northeast, Loyal all are we, From the greatest to the
least, Singing praise to Thee
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