Sidewinder Added to School Menagerie by Science Club

 
Santa Paula Daily Chronicle
Wednesday, May 23, 1956

Seems that safety regulations were a bit more lax in the 1950s!  The following story details the SPHS Science club's annual weekend field trip.  One of the activities appears to be gathering up samples of the local wildlife, including squirrels, lizards, a toad and even a sidewinder!  These critters were added to the school's collection of live animals, presumably in the Science classes.

Members of the Science Club of Santa Paula High School went on their annual nature study outing last weekend. They spent Friday night at Blue Point, 10 miles north of Santa Felicia dam. Saturday they went on to Big Pines and Red Rock Canyon. They made camp in this area Saturday night. They were back in Santa Paula by noon Sunday.

The purpose of the annual trek is to study as much of plant and animal life in its natural habitat as possible and to gather specimens of wild life typical of the area. Among those captured were a sidewinder rattlesnake (the first seen on the desert since 1949), a Southwest toad, antelope ground squirrel, gridiron tailed lizard and several other types of lizards. All of these specimens will become inmates of their live exhibits.

There is increasing difficulty in finding a wilderness unaffected by the large numbers of people from the metropolitan area. Students who participated were David Barthuli, Byron Edde, Lou Grivetti, Robert Uffen, Kurt Melssner, Gilbert Rodrlquez, Lauretta Massey, Mary Mayes, Charla Leavens, Joyce Crawford and Betty Riley. Sponsors of the club, Joe Ricards and Neal Currier, made the trip more profitable by acting as .supervisors. Douglas Lazenby also accompanied the club members.

Bryden Gym: 1956

  
Santa Paula Daily Chronicle
Thursday, May 24, 1956

1956 was a big year for construction at Santa Paula High School.  Construction began on the new Gym (pictured below), which eventually was named the McMahan Gym.  The cafeteria, student store and Educational Services building were also built during this period, although in those days the district was not separate from the school, so the school the board room, business managers office, and the health office as well as the faculty lounge were included in the building.  A new Agriculture building was built at the same time (our current Agriculture building was built in the 1990s).  The Jones' field stadium was also refurbished during this period and was almost renamed the "Lemon Bowl"!

GOING UP! - Santa Paula High School's new gymnasium is taking shape adjacent to the Lemon Bowl off Palm Court, and the sidewalk superintendents are having themselves a field day advising two crane operators how to maneuver these steel arches into place. Each arch Is 115 feet long and 40 feet high In the center. The new gym should be ready for use by the time basketball season rolls around next winter.

The New 1925 Studebaker!

Although it doesn't have much to do with Santa Paula High School, I thought that this Newspaper ad from the Santa Paula Chronicle was interesting. A new six seat coach Studebaker for only $1,595 from A. J. Koch Studebaker on 122 North Mill Street, just down from where the Glen Tavern Inn is located.

Spirit Week 1962!

Santa Paula Chronicle
November 8, 1962

Spirit week has been a fixture at Santa Paula High School for quite some time - this article in the Santa Paula Chronicle lists the different activities that went on during the week. Surprisingly, most of them are similar to the current ones, although the Slogan Day seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Oddball Shoes, 'Mad' Hats Take Over SPUHS Campus

By Alex Stalcup

An innovation on an old theme was seen at Santa Paula High School this week in the form of Spirit Week, which will be climaxed tomorrow with traditional homecoming activities.

Each day this week has featured an unusual and amusing theme.

Spirit week received spirited acceptance beginning Monday, when all loyal and true-blue Cardinals wore white shirts to school. This was simply to signify the wearer's spirit and willingness to participate in the other spirit week activities.

Tuesday saw unusual and varied foot garb sported by Cardinal supporters. Unmatching shoes or oddly colored or styled shoes were the rage. And "in the spirit" of the affair, many Cardinals found themselves limping home.

Manners Test

The student body had a test in manners Wednesday, at least in the hat-doffing category. The mad-hatter had a field day that day, previously declared "Hat Day."

"Plaster the Pioneers," "Slug Simi," Punch the Pioneers" and "Peg the Pioneers" were among the slogans seen in great profusion today, declared "Slogan Day." They were on signs, placards, posters, streamers and lapel buttons all over campus.

The climax to Spirit Week comes tomorrow, "Color Day," when the Cardinal campus breaks out in red and white, the school colors/. Evidence of Color Day will be especially visible at the rally tomorrow afternoon when the crowded stands appear as a jumbled mass of riotous color.

Cannery at H.S. to be Continued

Santa Paula Chronicle
Wednesday, September 13, 1944

Below is an interesting article from the Santa Paula Chronicle discussing a public cannery below the football bleachers. This was towards the end of World War II, and I suspect that the cannery was associated with war shortages.

A number of items, including carrots, are to be canned at the Santa Paula high school community cannery this Thursday, Sept. 14th, Gordon Woods, in charge of the cannery, has reported. Next week, and all subsequent weeks, canning will be done on Fridays, unless a football game is scheduled for the same day, making the plant, which is under the bleachers on the athletic field, inaccessible.

This Thursday's canning is scheduled for 1 p.m., Woods announced. Any Santa Paulan who has had the necessary pre-instruction in canning may avail himself of the opportunity by getting in touch with the high school.

A considerable amount of food was preserved by the canning method during the summer, Woods said, though not quite as many people as had been expected made use of the community cannery.

Use of the plant is free to all members of the community upon the completion of a four-hour pre-instruction course dealing with methods of canning, health department regulations and rules for avoiding food-poisoning. The only fee is the small service change of 7 cents for each can, which includes the price of the can itself, which is provided by the cannery.

Saints Win Track Meet in Ventura

Santa Paula Chronicle
Saturday, April 5, 1930

This article from the early 1930's covers a victory by Santa Paula High School's track team in which they beat Ventura by a good margin. One particularly interesting part of the article is that our team is referred to as the "Saints". Apparently, during this period the school's athletic teams were called "Red and White", "Saints" or "Cardinals" depending on who was writing the article. By the end of the decade, the name "Cardinals" (which was used by the student newspaper) had been agreed on, and we have been the Santa Paula High School Cardinals to this day.

Local Track Squad Takes Nine Firsts, Ventura Three, To Defeat Ventura Pirates in Dual Meet.

Times are slow for most events

Santa Paula high school's victorious Saints added another scalp to their growing string today by defeating Ventura in the first meet on the Ventura Junior College field by a score of 83 to 53.

The local team took nine firsts, leaving Ventura but a few of the field events in which to boost their total, and even one of these was unexpectedly taken by a local man - Llack of the locals winning the shot with a heave of 40 feet five inches.

Kenneth (Cutie) Brown, and Philip Powell were the stars of the meet again, and as usual, Brown and Haydock conducted their duel in several events, Brown winning in the majority but losing in the broad jump when Haydock, on his last trial leaped 21 feet 1 inch.

The relay squad of the local school which placed third in the A.A.U. races at Long Beach, and since that time have cleaned up all opposition, had absolutely no competition whatsoever today as Ventura did not enter a team. The locals ran an exhibition race, practicing passing the baton in preparation for the county league meet in Oxnard next Saturday.

New Crackdown Hits S.P.U.H.S.D

The Cardinal Newspaper
Friday, September 30, 1977

In the 1970s there were a variety of problems with Santa Paula High School students hanging out on lawns and walls around campus, and non-students wandering the campus. Articles discussing this appeared in both the Santa Paula Chronicle and the school newspaper, the CARDINAL. Below is an article from the CARDINAL on the topic:

The SPUHS Administration has begun a crackdown on loitering and unauthorized visiting by non-students on campus.

According to SPHS Principal Mr. D.E. McMahan, the program was begun as a result of a resent state law that makes it a misdemeanor for persons to loiter on high school grounds, and because of the increasing problems that the high school has had to deal with caused by loitering, and unauthorized visiting by non-students.

Under the new program persons caught loitering on campus will be first verbally warned, and then they will be issued a written warning. In addition to the written warning, a notice will be sent to people guilty of a second offense. People guilty of a second offense will run the risk of being arrested by the police.

At the Carpinteria game on Friday, one person was arrested for loitering. Thus far this semester, seven written notices have been sent out.

In addition to soliciting the help of the Police, the Administration has sought the assistance of 75 residents around the high school.

The Administration has asked these people to authorize the police to keep students from loitering around their homes.

Mr. McMahan has stated that with the new program the campus has become "much more orderly."

High School Notes: September 25, 1919

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, September 25, 1919

High School Notes

The following is a series of short news items from September 1919. One interesting bit talks about "Indoor Baseball". This conjures visions of shattered windows and general mayhem, but it turns out that this wasn't the case.

Around the turn of the 20th century, baseball was often played inside a gymnasium during the winter months. It was similar to the regular "outdoor" baseball except the diamond was smaller and the ball was larger, 10 to 20 inches in diameter, and softer than a standard baseball. Over time, indoor baseball moved back outside and eventually evolved into the game of softball we know today.


Miss Hazel Hall, a former teacher of the Santa Paula High School spent Thursday afternoon of last week visiting the various classes of the school. Her stay in Santa Paula was very short, having to return immediately to Visalia, where she is to teach this year.

The student body wishes her all success in her new field of work

* * *

The Senior Class was a guest of the Junior Class at a very delightful party given on Saturday night of this week at Sulpher Mountain Springs. A wiener and marshmallow roast added to the pleasure of the party, and was followed by games, swimming and dancing.

* * *
On Tuesday morning of last week Arthur Martin, an alumnus of Santa Paula High School gave to the Student Body a very interesting talk on the necessity of planning and carrying out a course of study to be followed throughout the school course and to be used later as an aid to life work. The advise given was chiefly to the Freshmen, but nevertheless, was appreciated by the rest of the classes

Author has been attending Occidental College during the past year and is well informed about the advice given to us.

* * *
The first of a series of indoor baseball games to be played between teams chosen from the girls of the different classes took place Friday afternoon during the regular gymnasium period between the Freshmen and the Sophomores. The fact that the two teams were well matched added to the excitement of the game. The three innings ended with the score of 8 to 9 in favor of the Freshmen.

* * *
On Friday morning the Student Body was entertained by members of the Freshmen class, the Misses Helen and Florence Lotta, who favored us with two vocal solos. Their singing was greatly enjoyed and the Student body hopes to be fortunate enough to hear them again during the school term.

* * *
Any person of Santa Paula or community wishing to take up evening study, please report name and subject desired to the Principal of the High School or the Librarian.

If there is sufficient demand for a subject, arrangements will be made for such a class at the High School.

* * *

The High School played a practice baseball game with Oxnard last Saturday. Ralph Bennett, the Santa Paula pitcher played a good game, but due to several errors made by other members of the team and to the good playing of the Oxnard nine, the game passed in favor of Oxnard, leaving a score of 8 to 10.

Dorothy and Philetus Hall, Editors

Future Farmers Always Learning

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, November 16, 1967

For many years, Santa Paula High School has offered one of the highest quality Agriculture programs in the state. Currently students have the opportunity to learn about Agriculture through our award winning Agriculture Academy, lead by Alex Flores.

Giving members of the Santa Paula High School Future Farmers of America chapter pointers on an engine for an electric generator, SPHS agriculture teacher Don Lafferty typifies teachers all over the county who inspire youngsters with an interest in agriculture. "It's important", says Lafferty, "that we have a continuing supply of agriculturists."

Agriculture is not a dying art, and like so many other skilled pursuits, often suffers from a shortage of knowledgeable participants." Kurt Axell (left) and Mike Barrick, SPHS agriculture students, attend Lafferty carefully. Rig is used in instruction of welding agricultural implements.

Science Column

1903 El Solano Yearbook

The following is a page from the 1903 El Solano Yearbook. The early yearbooks were more literary publications than current yearbooks, although they did have some photographs of students, including all seven students of the senior class.

The entire 1903 El Solano yearbook is online as are the 1932 and 1936 yearbooks.

THE knowledge obtained by the study of science has already become of practical use to at least one member of the fourth year science class. Anita has invented and prescribed a medicine in the shape of a powder, warranted to cure all cases of stupidness, sleepiness, and foolishness resulting from a period of Science IV.

Why is Hal like light?
Because it is hard for him to turn a corner.

Was Mr. Owen actually afraid of a beam of light, or why did he stoop and go under it, in the physics laboratory, one day?


Wallace (to the other members of the physics class) I am now going to effect a transference of this transparent substance, commonly called water.”

RAINBOWS. -- Mr. Owen, in Science IV: “Anita, describe a bow” (beau).
Silence.
Mr. Owen: “Have you ever seen a bow? If so, when? and in what position were you?”
Anita: “In the daytime and with my back to the sun” (son).
Mr. Owen: “Have you ever seen a bow in the moonlight? If so, in what position were you then?
No reply.
Mr. Owen: “Is there a secondary bow?”
Anita: “Sometimes.”

Mr. Owen (during the work with C02 gas): “When you buy soda-water what do you pay for?”
Faith: “ Gas.”

SPUHS Board Studies Possible Expansion Moves

Santa Paula Chronicle
October 25, 1962

Here's an interesting article from 1962. The district at the time was considering buying some land above Virginia Terrace. The land wasn't purchased, and houses were built instead, but it would have made quite a hike from a classroom on that end of the school to the 500's (even more so than it is today).

Santa Paula High School trustees took a longing look at vacant property in the school's back yard yesterday and heard superintendent Everett Buchan call for "Serious Consideration" on the purchase of the property.

Buchan told the trustees it is possible to get "more mileage" out of the existing plant, but sooner or later - more than likely sooner - something is going to have to be done.

The land, across Virginia Terrace from present school buildings, includes a 53-acre portion now on the market, only part of which the trustees expressed interest in. It is now owned by Buenaventura Lemon Co. Fred Udall is acting as agent.

Basic Philosophy
Administrative assistant Ethan Fullmer told the board they should consider what is now and what will be the basic philosophy of the school, particularly toward expansion of the present plant or branch construction on a new site.

Buchan said the only place for new classrooms, already needed, is "up in the air." He said this is not entirely impractical; many schools have two story classroom buildings which serve quite well.

If, however, the school expands its academic capability, then a like expansion of physical education facilities, possibly cramped tighter than classrooms, will be necessary. Buchan said he feels the school needs extra space for this purpose. Specialists in physical education facilities visited the school today to help with a survey.

The board wound up their discussion of the property by agreeing to hire local civil engineer Elbert J. Tate as an engineering consultant to give them preliminary information on the property.

High School Notes: September 14, 1944

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, September 14, 1944

High School Notes

I'm not sure when school started back then, but I'm guessing it was around the beginning of September. It sounds like there was some sort of Freshmen initiation period for the first few weeks. I haven't seen anything about it in the old yearbooks I've gone through, but have concentrated on the early to middle 1930s recently - it might be a tradition that was introduced later.

A big day is in order for the members of the freshman class Friday. They are happy to know that it will be the last day of slaving for the upperclassmen, and that they will get a chance to find out how pleasant high school can be - but Friday isn't over. An assembly will be held last period, where each member will get a chance to face the student body. There will be singing, dancing, skits, etc., in the form of "Truth or Consequences," mostly consequences, the seniors predict.

After the assembly the sophomores will get their chance with the freshmen as they participate in the tie-up, an old tradition of the school. To bring the exciting day to a close, the student body has a "get acquainted" dance on the calendar. The stirring music of the Santa Barbara band will strike its first note at 8 p.m. in the gymnasium. Fun will be had for all, with table tennis and various games for those not wishing to dance. Refreshments will be served.

With David Diefenderfer, president of the Ventura county Hi-Y, Tri-Y council presiding, the Hi-Y, Tri-Y clubs from Ventura County met in Memorial hall Monday afternoon for a "program planning retreat." Each club presented its program for the coming year with many suggestions for a successful year. Jeanne Dudley, president of the local Tri-Y club presented their calendar of activities for the year, and Larry Snyder doing the same for the boys' club. Mr. Dean Triggs, superintendent of schools, was the guest speaker for the afternoon session, talking to the group on race prejudice and juvenile delinquency.

The group then adjourned to Steckel Park, where dinner was served. Food was furnished by the Santa Paula clubs, hosts for the occasions. The evening session began with singing led by Dwight Goodenough. To complete the evening, John Stone, area YMCA secretary, spoke on "The Year Ahead."

The officers of the Girls' Athletic association promise an exciting year ahead for its members. A rally will be held in the gym Monday for all old members, and new students interested in joining the club. Billie Ann Carroll, president, announced that the first sport, speedball, will begin next week.

Wilhoit to Red Sox

Santa Paula Chronicle
Thursday, September 4, 1919

Joe Wilhoit was born in Kansas in 1885. According to the article below, he was a student at Santa Paula High School, although many stories state that he lived in Santa Barbara in his younger days. He became a professional baseball player in 1916 with the Boston Braves and retired seven years later in 1923. During this time he played in the 1917 World Series with the New York Giants against the Chicago White Sox (the White Sox won) and had a minor league hitting streak of 69 consecutive games, which stands as a record to this day. He also played with Babe Ruth on the Boston Red Sox.

Former Santa Paulan Fine Baseball Player

The appended news items regarding one of our former Santa Paula high school boys will be of interest to many of the Chronicle readers:

WILHOIT TO RED SOX

BOSTON, AUG. 18 - Word was received tonight from E.G. Barrow, manager of the Boston American League baseball club, who is in St. Louis, that he had closed a deal with the Wichita (Kan.) club of the Western League for Joe Wilhoit, who leads that legue in batting. Manager Barrow also announced that Pitcher Bill James had been released from the Chicago American League club on a waiver claim.

WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 18 - Joseph Wilhoit, released today from the Boston Americans, late in July broke the record for number of consecutive games in which a player had made a safe hit, and has continued the record all month. With the second game yesterday at St. Joseph, he completed his sixty-seventh game of consecutive hits. In these sixty-seven games he has been at bat 291 times and has obtained 148 hits. Wilhoit entered organized baseball four years ago, and in 1917 played with the Boston Nationals for a time.

Crowd Sees High School Play Open

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, May 12, 1950

Here's a short one on the senior play of 1950. I had initially thought that it might be some sort of sequel to Arsenic and Old Lace (a great comedy with Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster). It wasn't a sequel, but sounds like it went over well with the audience!

"That Brewster Boy" ran riot through the Santa Paula High School auditorium last night, planning and executing his mischievous antics along with pal Pee Wee. A large crowd turned out to view the opening night performance of the senior class play, which will be repeated tonight for the benefit of those who couldn't make it last night.

Curtin time is 8 o'clock.

Directed by Carl Jorgenson, the play is one big laugh all the way through, revolving as it does around the dizzy antics of this typical teenage youngster.

The centre of confusion is played by Bob Schlichter, and his pal Pee Wee is played by Vernon Edde, student body president this year.

Those who saw the play last night reported an enjoyable time, and tonight's crowd, which is expected to surpass last night's, is sure to get it's money's worth.

Tickets will be available at the box office.

'Super-Colossal' Carnival Planned At High School

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, March 12, 1937

This post is going to leap about 50 years ahead to 1937 with a story (written by SPHS Students) about upcoming Santa Paula High School events. The main story is about an ASB school carnival, with additional information about a school board banquet, a St. Patrick's Dinner and a Hi-Y conference. The Hi-Y conference is interesting in that the Hi-Y club was prominent in yearbooks and stories around the 1930's. It stands for HIgh school Ymca. The story of the club's origin is that in 1889 a teacher took some cigars away from students and challenged them to do something more worthwhile with their lives. The students challenged the teacher to help them, and the Hi-Y organization was formed. The goal of the club is to help students improve themselves, their school and community. I'm not sure how true the tale is, but it's interesting.

Students prepare for Gala Event Next Friday; P.T.A. Joint Sponsor

This weekly resume of high school news is prepared by Cecille Pettitt and LaVerne Beck, Students in Williams Bauer's English Classes.

THANKS
At this time we feel that it is most appropriate to extend the sincerest thanks of the students of S.P.U.H.S. to all those voters who made it possible for the school bond issue to go through.

CARNIVAL
Ringling brothers will look like amateurs in comparison! P.T. Barnum will seem like a piker after the school circus and carnival. The date - March 19, the place - high school gym. It will be "tremendously original, surprisingly 'different' and stupendously entertaining.

The local P.T.A. fathers will present a hair-raising "Meller-Drama". "Doctor" Coultas, who is athletic adviser in his spare time, will dissect a human torso before your very eyes. Among the many other concessions there will probably be a fun-house, and a terrific "Slide For Life." There will be various baseball throws, games, dancing, and plenty of balloons and confetti. A Hula-hula show is being considered by the Hi-Y bays and of course there will be barkers, too. Jim Lincoln, student body president, will do some 'plain and fancy' orating for this cause. Bill (Swampy) Larkin, also will be a barker.

This year's carnival is being sponsored by the student body of Santa Paula high school and the local Parent-Teachers association. Each student organization is to sponsor and operate a separate concession.

As an added feature, all grammar school children will receive 10 cents worth of scrip free with their admission tickets. The public is cordially invited.

SCHOOL BOARD BANQUET
Invitations have been sent to the school board members requesting their presence at a dinner which will be served in the school's dining room March 17. The home making girls are giving the dinner, and the decorations will be carried out in green and white in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

ST. PATRICK'S DINNER
At 6:30 Thursday evening, the homemaking girls are giving a dinner for their mothers in the cafeteria. Green and white will be the dominating colors in honor of Ol' St' Patrick. Corsages will be given to the mothers as they enter. Ruth Redick will present a toast to the mothers and Dorothy West will welcome them. Dorothy Burdick is in charge of the program, which gives evidence of being very entertaining.

HI-Y CONFERENCE
On Saturday and Sunday the annual older boys conference will be held at the First Methodist church in Ventura. The Santa Paula Hi-Y's plan to attend this conference. Frank Wyckoff, Olympic athlete; Miss Mary Blair Wallace, distinguished lecturer on personality adjustment and human relationships; and Doctor Frederick P. Woellner, of U.C.L.A. will be honored guests.

The topic of the day will be "Creating Character." This, and many other attractions, including basketball competition for the tri-county clubs, will keep the boys interested.

Santa Paula Chronicle
August 8, 1889

This was the first ad for the Santa Paula Academy. It ran in the Santa Paula Chronicle a number of times beginning about a month or so before the first students arrived. Although it doesn't mention it in the ad, tuition was $42 for the first year and $63 for each year after - not a trivial amount of money in those days. The cost of tuition would be a factor a few years later when the town decided to convert the academy into a public school.

SANTA PAULA ACADEMY
SANTA PAULA, VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Situated on the S.P.R.R. between Santa Barbara and Los Angles, Twelve miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Temperature uniform and unexcelled. Scenery of Mountain, Valley and Stream. A picture of rare beauty. Young Gentlemen and Ladies are prepared with the utmost thoroughness for any college, or for business life. Three courses of study. English, Scientific and Classical. A preparatory course is also added. Thorough training in Vocal and Instrumental Music. Full corps of teachers. An Elegant and Commodious building. A full set of illustrative apparatus. Abundant opportunities for manly and healthful sports and recreations. A mental, moral and physical training school, Christian but not Sectarian

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Hon N W Blanchard, A M, Colby Univ, President
C H McKevett, President First National Bank, Secretary, Santa Paula.
Hon. W L Hardison, Hardison and Stewart Oil Co., Treasurer, Santa Paula
Rev C S Vaile, A M, Ojai Valley.
Dr R E Curran, A M, Depauw Univ, Ojai Valley
Thos Barrows, Ojai Valley.
Rev S Bristol., A M, Oberlin, Saticoy
Rev T D Murphy, A M, , Yale, Santa Paula
E S Thacher, A M, Yale, Ojai Valley.
Rev J M Crawford, A M, Ventura
Hon Thomas R Bard, Hueneme.
Rev T C Weitzel, Santa Barbara

FALL TERM BEGAN SEPTEMBER 16, 1889 AND ENDS DECEMBER 20.
MIDDLE TERM BEGAN JANUARY 6, 1890, AND ENDS MARCH 28.
SPRING TERM BEGINS APRIL 28, 1890 AND ENDS JUNE 27.

Tuition, Room and Board very reasonable. For circulars or further information, address
C.H. McKEVETT, Secretary, Santa Paula, California.

The Academy Corner-Stone Exercises

The following article from the Santa Paula Chronicle reviews the cornerstone ceremony for the Santa Paula Academy. It's a bit wordy, and appears that the writer didn't want to leave out any of the participants' names. I'm curious as to what happened to the Cornerstone and its contents when the new school was built in the early 20th century.

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, April 29, 1889

The exercises began promptly at 1:30 o'clock in the Presbyterian church, prayer by Rev. Mr. A.G. Daniels. The choir, composed of some eight ladies and five gentlemen, then favored the audience with some music, after which the Hon. Nathan W. Blanchard, President of the Board of Trustees, gave a short description of the start of the Academy from its inception up to the present time. After him, came the report of the secretary Mr. C.H. McKevett, of the condition of the academy at this date as follows.

Assets.
Original subscription, $12,050
Additional subscription for purchase of grounds, $3,750
$15,800

Liabilities
Academy Grounds $4750.00
Academy building contract price, $9048.50
Commission of Architect, $316.70
Heating and ventilating contract, $450.00
Seating and furnishing (estimated) $1200.00
Approximate cost of outfit, $15,765.20

The principal address was made by Rev. Mr. Murphy, the Principal of the school. This was a scholarly, able effort and was very well received by the audience. He spoke of the effect of the school in the republic, and dwelt more on the practical than on the theoretical side of the teaching of to-day. He referred to the fact that the Dominie and the Squire, are no longer considered the reservoirs of all law and gospel, but that other men, although occupying inferior positions in life, are very frequently their equals in learning, and are ready to scrutinize their decisions as the sayings of fallible men. In other words, power of place has yielded to power of brain. Said he, woman's spheres, labor and capital, penal codes, monopolies, all these as patent facts and things, demand and should receive the attention and effort of the Christian and scholar. How to care for the pauper class, is a problem of human society that has not yet solved; what shall be the adjustment of money and work, is to-day a greater question than all transcendental philosophy, and these are the questions in which the combined efforts and thought, of the wisely religious is most needed. Goodness, without intelligence will not tell us what we may do in the way of sumptuary legislation. Much more we would like to quote from this admirable address, but want of space forbids, it was replete with bright thoughts and practical suggestions.

At the close of Mr. Murphy's address, Rev. Mr. Andrews was called upon as was also Dr. Bowers and Superintendent Meredith, of our county, each of these gentlemen made some excellent and appropriate remarks as did also professor Woolsey, of the Ojai, who is the professor of international law in Yale College and one of the Trustees of the Academy, Miss Moore, who is lecturing in the state for the W.C.T.U. was in the room and was called upon and responded with some excellent thoughts; the insights which struck us, as so extremely apt and appropriate to the occasion that through the courtesy of Mr. Carney who took them down, we will publish in full next week This closed the exercises in the church and everybody repaired to the Academy grounds to see the corner-stone laid. There were a great many people present, and many of them walked out to the grounds. Arrived there, Rev. Mr. Healy was called upon by President Blanchard to make a scripture reading and offer prayer. Mr. McKevett then read the following list of papers and things which were placed in the tin box, sealed up and deposited in the corner-stone; One copy of the Bible, one copy each, of the Christian Advocate, Ojai Valley View, San Francisco Chronicle, Examiner, Bulletin, Pacific and Occident. The Los Angeles Times and Express. The Ventura Democrat, Free Press and Vidette. Gospel Banner. The first number of the Santa Paula Graphic, with a copy each of the Golden State and CHRONICLE. The articles of incorporation of the Academy, together will all papers connected with it, including the invitations to these exercises. The mining laws of this district with an original poem by Dr. S.P. Guiberson, a list of the state and county officials, map of Simi Rancho. Copy of the school laws of the state and lastly, a sample of water-white, illuminating oil, manufactured in Santa Paula by the Mission Transfer Co., April 1889. It will readily be seen from the above list that should the stone be broken and these things brought to light a thousand or so years hence, the beings who discover them will be able to gather considerable information from the contents, if able to make them out. The stone was then placed in position by the workmen under the guidance of Mr. E.M. Reese, the contractor. Re. Mr. Bristol then made a short address with special reference to the placing of the stone in its position, this was beautiful and grandly eloquent, although being delivered in the open air, but few of the large audience present could hear him fully. The principal though being that the boys and girls who would attend this new institution of learning would lay a strong and sure foundation of knowledge within its walls, even more strong and sure than the stone which has just been laid with such impressive ceremonies. Short addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Coutts, Mr. W.L Hardison, Dr Curran, G.C. Power and G.B. Alvord. Mr. Brunell pronounced the benediction and the exercises closed.

Santa Paula Academy Announcement

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, April 19, 1889

Circulars, giving full information concerning the academy, have been issued this week and generally distributed. From the array of names of prominent citizens and college graduates on the Board of Trustees, and the comprehensive and varied course of study, it is manifest that the Institution is to be all that our citizens could wish. Our people here, have contributed most generously toward the founding of the school, and they confidently look to the people of Santa Paula in particular, as well as to the citizens of our country, for a generous support and patronage of the Institution. The price of tuition is less than that generally charged in similar schools. Pupils who desire a business education only, those who have been irregular in their studies, as well as those looking to a complete collegiate course, can be accommodated.

The school will open Monday, April 29th, in the public school building of Santa Paula, the use of which until the Academy building is completed, the District Board have kindly tendered.

The corner stone of the Academy will be laid with appropriate ceremonies on Wednesday next, April 24th. The exercises will be held in the afternoon. As address is expected from Professor Theodore S. Woolsey, Prof. of International Law in Yale College, and son of Ex-President Woolsey. Short addresses will also be delivered by members of the Board of Trustees and other prominent educators. A general invitation is extended to all our own people as well as the people of the county. Although the Academy is located at Santa Paula, yet it is a county enterprise and will undoubtedly prove a benefit to all our people, and all should help support it. Our citizens will give their best moral and material support and will ad it in every possible way.

It is with a feeling of pardonable pride we pen the above, and in anticipation of the future beneficial results, consequent on the founding of the new Academy, we can see a long line of eminent scholars, and successful business men, who will point with pride to the Santa Paula Academy as their Alma Mater.

SPHS: Beginnings

Welcome to the Santa Paula High School History blog! Santa Paula High School was built over 120 years ago. The school was originally built in 1889 as the Santa Paula Academy, a private Christian school, but became a public school and was renamed Santa Paula High School in 1891.

During 1888 plans were being drawn up for the Academy. Below are short clips from the Santa Paula Chronicle showing the progress of the academy while it was being planned.

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, October 26, 1888

An academy is in progress (on paper); but as yet the schoolhouse of three rooms and the old building of one are sufficient for most of those who desire to "climb the hill of knowledge."


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, November 23, 1888

At a meeting of the trustees of the Santa Paula Academy held on Tuesday last, plans of the building were submitted. They were not approved by the board, however, and were returned to the building committee for alteration. The gentlemen composing the board are, Prof Woolsey and Mr. Thacher, Ojai; Revs T.D. Murphy and Shirley Bristol, San Buenaventura; Rev. E.R. Mills, N.W. Blanchard, W,L. Hardison, and C.H. McKevett, Santa Paula.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, January 18, 1889

We are reliably informed that the Santa Paula Academy will open about the middle of April. If the building should not be completed by that time, rooms will be secured elsewhere and the second term opened.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, February 8, 1889

Plans for the Santa Paula Academy are now in the hands of the contractors. The trustees will be ready to let the contract in a few days, when work will begin on the building. We have seen the plans and can assure our readers that the academy will be a very handsome building, an ornament to the town and the valley, as well as a credit to the trustees who made the selection.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, February 8, 1889

The first earth for the foundation of the Santa Paula Academy was thrown on Monday morning. The location is fine and sightly, the building will be an ornament to the valley, and the school an advantage to the town, that can not be estimated.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, April 5, 1889

Our schools close on the 26th of this month. The first term of the Academy will open in the public school building on the 29th.