Glen Ellyn High School Receives Full Accreditation
In April of 1919, state authorities awarded the Glen Ellyn High School full accreditation; during the same month, the school’s board of education considered purchasing a site for the new building. The board members realized that suitable locations of the size needed for the high school were fast disappearing, and one should be purchased while available. From among the other sites listed on the ballot, Honeysuckle Hill, was selected in the election in August of 1919 and about 25 acres were bought from Charles R. Raymond for $8,000. The land had a 500-foot frontage on Crescent Boulevard and included all of the hill and Lake Ellyn.
Work Begins on Honeysuckle Hill, Lake Drained to Make Athletic Field
The school received title to the property in November, the local newspaper reported on November 7, "On Wednesday afternoon a number of high school boys who volunteered for the job, began to chop down trees, and clear away the growth on the island."
The lake was drained and preparations were made for the athletic field which was developed by filling the lake's south end. The organization of the Glen Ellyn Park District at the same time made possible the purchase of several acres of woodland surrounding the lake. Since the property had been unattended for several years, a matted undergrowth covered it.
In 1923, the high school deeded the lake to the park board with the stipulation that it revert to the high school should it ever cease to be a lake.
Although the school board had raised sufficient money for the purchase of the hill property, funds did not exist to construct a suitable building. A move toward acquiring the necessary money was made in 1920, when the school board received $13,250 in delinquent tax receipts.
The lake was drained and preparations were made for the athletic field which was developed by filling the lake's south end. The organization of the Glen Ellyn Park District at the same time made possible the purchase of several acres of woodland surrounding the lake. Since the property had been unattended for several years, a matted undergrowth covered it.
In 1923, the high school deeded the lake to the park board with the stipulation that it revert to the high school should it ever cease to be a lake.
Although the school board had raised sufficient money for the purchase of the hill property, funds did not exist to construct a suitable building. A move toward acquiring the necessary money was made in 1920, when the school board received $13,250 in delinquent tax receipts.
The Castle on the Hill is Built
It was obvious that some other method of financing a high school building would have to be found, and the board explored the possibility of unification with a nearby town. Since Wheaton had its high school, the board turned toward Lombard. Seventy-five Lombard teenagers attended high school, some of them in Glen Ellyn, and parents were interested in providing facilities for them. At the request of the Lombard Parents-Teachers Association, several members of the board laid the suggestion plans before a meeting on February 16, 1921.
Among the points presented at the meeting, Lombard residents learned that the Honeysuckle Hill site was within one-half mile of the geographical center of the proposed district and their unification would enable the towns to establish a school as large as any in the county, with an attendance of about two hundred pupils.
Among the points presented at the meeting, Lombard residents learned that the Honeysuckle Hill site was within one-half mile of the geographical center of the proposed district and their unification would enable the towns to establish a school as large as any in the county, with an attendance of about two hundred pupils.
Fred L. Biester: Father of Glenbard His influence was first felt in the fall of 1918 as the principal of Glenbard High School. He later became the superintendent of Glenbard High School District 87. Mr. Biester passed away on March 20, 1962, just months away from his retirement. His remarkable career touched parts of six decades.
|
School is named GLENBARD; Cornerstone laid on September 10, 1922
In March several petitions, bearing the signatures of 645 Lombard voters and representing more than 75% of the village’s voting population, were filed with the county superintendent of schools. The petitions requested direct annexation of Lombard to the Glen Ellyn High School District. Favorable action was taken on the petitions on April 9, and the election for members of the enlarged district’s high school board was held April 16. The organization of the new board, on which residents of both communities served, followed immediately on April 25.
At a board meeting on January 1922, the petitions of district voters requesting an election on the erection of the building were presented. Subsequently, on February 11, two issues were decisively approved at an election in which 1,179 voters participated. On issue involved building the school, and the other, issuing bonds to pay for it.
When Lombard was annexed to the district, the board of education announced it would change the district’s name in such a way to represent both communities. A contest was held among the students, and the name GLENBARD was suggested. By a resolution of the board, this was the district’s official name after May 15, 1922.
Construction work was started in the early spring and continued over the summer. By autumn, sufficient progress had been made that the cornerstone could be laid. The stone's laying occurred on September 10, 1922 and was preceded by a suitable program.
At a board meeting on January 1922, the petitions of district voters requesting an election on the erection of the building were presented. Subsequently, on February 11, two issues were decisively approved at an election in which 1,179 voters participated. On issue involved building the school, and the other, issuing bonds to pay for it.
When Lombard was annexed to the district, the board of education announced it would change the district’s name in such a way to represent both communities. A contest was held among the students, and the name GLENBARD was suggested. By a resolution of the board, this was the district’s official name after May 15, 1922.
Construction work was started in the early spring and continued over the summer. By autumn, sufficient progress had been made that the cornerstone could be laid. The stone's laying occurred on September 10, 1922 and was preceded by a suitable program.
Art Institute of Chicago Architects, Coolidge and Hodgson, design Glenbard
The building was designed to fit the location by Coolidge and Hodgson, the architects who also planned the administration building (below, center) at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN as well as Chicago’s Art Institute (below, left) and Public Library. Compare the architecture of those two buildings with Glenbard High School. The building was erected in the English Collegiate style of architecture, the walls of red brick with Bedford stone trim. One of its distinctive features was the leaded window panes set in stone.
The Move from the Bank to Glenbard High School, April 1923
Glenbard High School Official Opening Date: May 15, 1923
During the first few weeks of April 1923, the school’s equipment was moved from the bank building to the new high school. First classes were held an April 19, but the dedication was delayed until May 15, 1923.
The portion of the building completed in 1923 was everything west of the tower, and it was designed for an enrollment of 400 students. The enrollment in November 1925 was 423, and Mr. Biester estimated it would be between 475 and 500 for the 1926-27 school year. The tower addition included new offices, a library and a community room that would seat 150 persons. The tower itself contained a classroom for the head of the English department with a fireplace and bay window on the third floor, music room on and an art room on the fifth floor. The expanded building was occupied in September 1926 by 487 students.
The portion of the building completed in 1923 was everything west of the tower, and it was designed for an enrollment of 400 students. The enrollment in November 1925 was 423, and Mr. Biester estimated it would be between 475 and 500 for the 1926-27 school year. The tower addition included new offices, a library and a community room that would seat 150 persons. The tower itself contained a classroom for the head of the English department with a fireplace and bay window on the third floor, music room on and an art room on the fifth floor. The expanded building was occupied in September 1926 by 487 students.
The Tower Entrance is Added
Above, at left, the Tower Entrance is added in 1926. At right, a 1927 oil painting of Glenbard High School. The original hangs in room 428--the Alumni Room.
Auditorium and New Classrooms built in 1931
Enrollment continued to increase and by January 1930 the projected number of students for the 1931-32 year was 800. A new addition, which was dedicated February 8, 1931, was attached to the west side of the building.
The 1,558-seat auditorium with dressing rooms and a glee club room below the stage ran south toward Crescent Boulevard. The wing running north from the auditorium provided rooms for the Commercial Department, a band room, a cafeteria and four unfinished classrooms.
The 1,558-seat auditorium with dressing rooms and a glee club room below the stage ran south toward Crescent Boulevard. The wing running north from the auditorium provided rooms for the Commercial Department, a band room, a cafeteria and four unfinished classrooms.
Public Works Administration helps fund gymnasium
Glen Ellyn and Lombard continued to grow and by 1938 the facilities were too small. With assistance from the Public Works Administration the necessary funding became available and the construction work began. The gymnasium wing was expanded to the west and south.
This expansion provided facilities on the first floor for industrial education and music; science, physical education and student activities on the second; offices and a first aid room on the third; and classrooms on the fourth. In the northeast wing the four unfinished rooms were completed, and a new foods lab was built on the second floor. Part of the new space was available in the fall of 1939, and the work was completed in 1940.
The organization of a high school district and the construction of a building were important, but the educational activities they facilitated were more significant to the communities which were served. The course offerings for the 1919-1920 year were as follows: English (4 years), French (2 years), Latin (3 Years) algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, solid geometry, commercial arithmetic, physiography, physiology, penmanship, drawing, ancient-medieval history, modern history, American history, civics, economics, zoology, botany, physics, bookkeeping, commercial geography, stenography-typewriting (2 years) and physical training (2 years).
This expansion provided facilities on the first floor for industrial education and music; science, physical education and student activities on the second; offices and a first aid room on the third; and classrooms on the fourth. In the northeast wing the four unfinished rooms were completed, and a new foods lab was built on the second floor. Part of the new space was available in the fall of 1939, and the work was completed in 1940.
The organization of a high school district and the construction of a building were important, but the educational activities they facilitated were more significant to the communities which were served. The course offerings for the 1919-1920 year were as follows: English (4 years), French (2 years), Latin (3 Years) algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, solid geometry, commercial arithmetic, physiography, physiology, penmanship, drawing, ancient-medieval history, modern history, American history, civics, economics, zoology, botany, physics, bookkeeping, commercial geography, stenography-typewriting (2 years) and physical training (2 years).
Glenbard High School fully accredited in 1924. Music program begins in 1926.
In the spring of 1924 the school was evaluated, and accepted as a member, by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The daily time schedule consisted of eight, 40-minute periods and one section of 20 minutes, but in 1927 the administration decided to change it to provide time for supervised study to better meet the requirements of most colleges. The new schedule consisted of One, 16-minute section and seven 55-minute class periods.
In the first three decades of its existence, Glenbard High School became well known in the state and the nation for its leadership in education. Along the way there have been a few occurrences of other kinds by which the school came to the attention of the public. One such occurrence was the filming of "Along Came Jack" by the Atlas Educational Film Company in the fall of 1925. According to local newspaper articles, several students and local adults had "starring" roles. Parts of the film were made at a Glenbard football game, a local home, and a local church.
The instrumental music program was started in 1926. The Conn School of Music offered one lesson per week at a cost of $3.50 per month.
In the first three decades of its existence, Glenbard High School became well known in the state and the nation for its leadership in education. Along the way there have been a few occurrences of other kinds by which the school came to the attention of the public. One such occurrence was the filming of "Along Came Jack" by the Atlas Educational Film Company in the fall of 1925. According to local newspaper articles, several students and local adults had "starring" roles. Parts of the film were made at a Glenbard football game, a local home, and a local church.
The instrumental music program was started in 1926. The Conn School of Music offered one lesson per week at a cost of $3.50 per month.