SCHOOL DAYS: We began Saturday to recount the
history of schools in Bradford, a story we continue today, picking
up in the late 1800s:

[neWLine]

“”The story was different in 1878 for ‘black gold’ was making
its impact on the community and the population increased to such an
extent that five new teachers and a principal, Prof. H.C. Boslye of
Titusville, were added to the staff of two.[neWLine]

“”The go-ahead was given for construction on Congress
Street (with the stipulation that the price not exceed $9,000) and
the school tax that year jumped to 59 mills.

[neWLine]

“”As the oil boom continued, population grew, and there was a
corresponding growth in the school. In 1879, the teaching staff was
increased to 12 members; the 5th Ward School lot was purchased and
a building authorized (not to cost more than $1,950); a high school
was organized in the building on Congress Street and the tax rate
was 46 mills.[neWLine]

“”Two years after Bradford was incorporated as a city, the first
high school commencement was held. The date was June 14, 1881, and
the exercises were staged for six students.[neWLine]

“”While the student body grew, so did the school program. In
1894, a four-year course was inaugurated and, in 1896, a two-year
commercial course was added. This was expanded in 1906 to a
three-year course.[neWLine]

“”In 1900, the school population in the upper classes had
increased to such an extent that a building program was embarked
upon and a new high school, three stories high, of red brick, was
constructed at the head of Mechanic Street.[neWLine]

“”For a quarter of a century, this was the city’s high
school until 1925, when the city schools were reorganized on a
6-3-3 plan. A new high school was built on the present site at
Interstate Parkway and the 10th, 11th and 12th grades moved in.
Construction costs were $419,290.85.

[neWLine]

“”In 1939, the building was enlarged to include a 16-room annex,
a vocational building with unit shops, an enlarged auditorium and a
remodeled auditorium. The addition cost $260,229.43 and the
vocational school another $40,000.[neWLine]

“”That brings us up to 1965 and the story of almost 1,300
high-school youngsters and their ultra-modern ‘little red
schoolhouse.'””[neWLine]

We have one more installment in this series on Bradford
schools.