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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

High Schools

PREVIOIUS HIGH SCHOOL LOCATIONS:

1863-1882 Ducasse building

1883-1896 Western Avenue

1897-1917 Union School No.1 (later Armory)

1918 South Eight Street

There were many different colors used as class colors in the early days. Purple and gold, for example. Possibly at one time each class had their own colors. It was until the 1930s that blue and white became the "official" school colors.

The Ducasse building was the very first school in which high school subjects were taught.

High School was next in the rear part of the former Armory building

Then it was moved to the then new Western Avenue School (later called Webster) with grade 6, 7, 8 on the first floor.

In 1898 the Armory was enlarged and High School moved there with two eighth grades on the first floor front. There were the only eighth grades in Watertown until 1902. Bertha Marquardt and then Mary Crangle were the teachers. They had departmental work.

< Ducasse building, c1863, became high school

The above picture [1] shows Watertown’s FIRST HIGH SCHOOL building.

The school was located in a small frame building at North Fifth and Jones streets [417 Jones].

It was built by Justice Ducasse, who for many years was a police justice in early Watertown. The first principal of the High School during the Civil War period was Professor Theodore Bernhard.

It was in this school that the first text books in Wisconsin were issued.

It was also during this period that a commercial course was offered to a high school class for the first time in the history of the state. The building, later used as a restaurant and then as the residence of the late Herman Heinz, was subsequently razed.

1858

09 09 Rollin L. Reed, Principal; Miss L. A. Rockwell, Assistant WD

12 23 High School is a miserable structure . . . No effort towards the erection of a better, more commodious building WD

1860

10 12 Miss Susan Perry opened private school WR

1861

05 02 PROF. THEODORE BERNHARD / SECOND WARD HIGH SCHOOL

click to enlarge

Prof. Theodore Bernhard, the principal of this school, held a public examination last Monday at the Musical Association rooms, in Dennis’s Block, last Monday. The exercises were conducted by the principal and his assistants. About two hundred scholars, who have attended this school during the last six months, were present. All, without exception, gave satisfactory evidence of the thorough drilling of which they have been subjected and exhibited a degree of proficiency in their several studies that reflected credit on themselves and on their teachers. There were 30 or 40 boys, from 12 to 16 years old, who have been under the immediate instruction of Mr. Bernhard, of whom their teacher, as well as parents, may justly feel proud. Many of them have not their superiors in this city for scholastic attainments. Spectators must have been impressed with the success of Mr. Bernhard’s method of instruction, from the prompt and accurate manner in which his pupils answered the questions put to them during the exercises. The German portion of our citizens may well feel a deep interest in sustaining this school. WD

Early School Days Told by Old Resident

Pranks and Intellectual Feats Are Revealed

1936 article

The old-fashioned building at the corner of North Fifth and Jones streets was the first high school building in the city.

The first principal of the school was Professor Theodore Bernhard, William Rohr was assistant. Other teachers were Mrs. William Norris and Miss Cooley. Among the pupils of the Civil war period or late in the 50's were Honorable W. F. Voss, C. H. Jacobi, Edward Racek, Louis Merkel, Henry Bertram, Charles Fuermann, Max Gaebler, John Mallaney, Mrs. A. J. Earling nee Peebles, Oscar Cole and Henry Peebles.

The following sketch was written by a former student [date of writing uncertain]:

"The quaint old Ducasse building, about 50 years ago, housed the beginning of our public high school. The faculty consisted of Theodore Bernhard, William H. Rohr, Misses Vestey, Cooley and Merriam. The studies were not as numerous as they are today, but the upper class did trigonometry and surveying and the pupils could recite history by the page, though they had never looked into a history book. In those days people were too poor to buy many text books and the teachers were obliged to do real teaching.

"Professor Bernhard was a remarkably successful teacher. When a pupil showed precocity in a certain direction, he would coach him on that line and develop an exhibition stunt for the public examination at the end of the year. A merchant named Arnim offered prizes to the pupils at this examination and William Voss, fourteen years old, took the first prize with a remarkable geographical recitation, and Max Gaebler, twelve years old, did the Pythagoras theorem. Professor Bernhard, to the end of his career, frequently would refer with much pride to these feats of his pupils.

"Schoolroom discipline was a little wild and woolly, and the rod was freely used. Billy Beurhaus, a chunky lad, sat next to Oscar Cole, who was tall, and thin as a sliver. Whenever there was mischief in their neighborhood, Billy would get a licking without much investigation, and was told to pass the surplus over to Oscar. When the professor wrote on the blackboard, his back turned to the class, the boy who remained on his seat was considered not much of a "feller." The alacrity with which they regained their seats was simply amazing. Hugo Jacobi was the tallest boy in school and could run like a doe. The game at recess usually was "pullaway," with Jacobi pitted against the whole crowd. When stormy weather kept the boys indoors, it was not unusual to overturn the stove. In fact, Jim Larkin acquired some reputation on that score and there seemed to be general disappointment when, sometimes, he did not rise to the occasion.

"Notwithstanding these ebullient excesses, considerate decorum was observed toward the girl pupils. Some of these were very bright.

"For the purpose of German dictation, the German pupils were always separated from the "English.” A newcomer, John Mallaney, did not obey this order and kept his seat. When the question was tartly asked whether he was German or English, he told the professor with much emphasis that he was an Irishman.

"The old building now looks very small. But in those days, it seemed so very, very large."

1863

10 15 Second Ward High School

This new school building – the largest and most commodious in our city – is so far finished that it is occupied for the purpose for which it was built today. It is well furnished, divided into apartments of convenient size and well adapted for the accommodation of the classes that will attend there. It is a decided credit to our city and supplies a want in our educational facilities that has long been felt. WD

1864

08 11 Watertown Seminary WD

1872-1876

UPPER FLOOR HIGH SCHOOL FROM 1872-1876. TWO GRADES

Watertown High School Orbit, 1920

From 1871 to 1873, two rooms on the upper floor of Union School, No. 1, later remodeled to make the High School on Main Street, accommodated a High School of two grades with one teacher for each grade, and an average attendance of seventy-five -twenty-nine boys and forty-six girls.

The First, or highest grade, taught by Bernhard, occupied the room which was the west half of the second floor. The heating system for the room consisted of a huge, drum topped box stove, behind which was a big pile of wood, and on the other side zinc-lined shuttered screens, regulated by those sitting nearest. Needless to say real comfort was somewhere midway between the stove and the outside walls. Along the west wall, tall wooden cupboards concealed such illustrative and experimental materials, such as mineralogical and geological specimens, cases of mounted insects, a planetarium, a tellurian, a centrifugal machine, a gyroscope, and electric friction machine, a Grove's battery, and an air pump. At the blackboards, which covered three sides of the room, frequently every bit of available space was occupied by eager pupils doing some assignment of Mr. Bernhards. Over these blackboards hung numerous maps and charts: in many studies these had to do the work of the free text books, which were not introduced until 1877.

Every operation at the blackboard was closely watched by Mr. Bernhard, who demanded thoroughness and exactness in everything. In fact, no study was ever looked upon as finished, but could be brought up again when the least expected. All the branches were co-related; and-whenever a weak spot was discovered, the lesson under discussion was dropped until by means of drilling and numerous other examples in subjects that gave additional light, all had been made perfectly clear. And always the principles were the important things, rules and theorems, easily derived from them were secondary.

Thus, since it was general practice to have every branch well correlated and thoroughly revived, the program was, of necessity a very flexible one, and if at any, time during the day, interest seemed to flag, the lesson plan was never too rigid to permit a few songs, with Mr. Bernhard at the organ.

Taken as a whole, the course of study, as well as, the methods of teaching, aimed not to fit the pupils for some higher institution of learning, but to give them a "lucid perception of the general, natural and therefore necessary connection of all branches of knowledge, and of all those scientific facts and truths, which have a practical bearing upon moral, social, and civil life" The knowledge imparted was to be "popular, but not superficial, selective, but not fragmentary."

Besides the regular curse of study, the high school also contained an incipient normal department, which was taken advantage of by a considerable number of non-residents, as well as those living in Watertown. This course included the studies required by the law of the state for obtaining first, second and third grade teachers' certificates.

The first graduates, twelve in number, passed their examinations in 1873 and received their diplomas a year or two later. But on this occasion there were no graduation gowns; in those days linsey-woolsey was the popular material for winter, and good strong calico for summer. There were no class colors, no class yell; there were really no graduation exercises. To the twelve graduates, standing near their benches, Mr. Bernhard made a few appropriate remarks, then he handed each his diploma. That was all.

The graduates were as follows:

Emma Griffith, (Mrs. Frank Powers), Chicago, Illinois.

Emma Charboneau, (Mrs. J. B. Murphy), Watertown, Wisconsin.

Jennie Ross, Cleveland, Ohio.

Albert Bellack, Columbus, Wisconsin.

Rosa Bernhard, died in 1886.

Anna Shillcox, (Mrs. Thomas L. Smith), Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Josephine Ruebhausen, (Mrs. C. F. Viebahn), Watertown, Wisconsin.

Ida C. Wilder, died in 1887.

Minnie Voss, ( Mrs. George France), died in 1898.

Addie Randall, (Mrs. James D. Baker), Eugene, Oregon.

Josie Kern, (Mrs. Paul Fontaine), Minneapolis, Minnesota.

[ 11 are listed in Orbit article ]

Hope, enthusiasm, joy, and good will dominated the spirit of the class of 1873. Going to school was so great a delight that no weather was too inclement, no snowdrift too deep. Such was the enthusiasm for learning that many continued to go to school from one to three years after passing their final examinations, in order to take advantage of the ever broadening curriculum. Their inspirer, guide and friend, in praise of whom too much can hardly be said, was Theodore Bernhard, teacher and scholar, who for many years so ably and faithfully directed all educational matters in Watertown. His memory is held in the highest regard by all who had the good fortune to come under his personal instruction.

JOSEPHINE A. VIEBAHN.

1879

07 03 Exercises by high school students WD

1881

Charles F. Viebahn appointed superintendent of schools and principal of High School WDT

_________________________________________________________________________________________

1881

Watertown High School from 1881 to 1904

From 1913 High School Orbit

(first Orbit published)

by Charles P. Viebahn

1866, First High School

Theodore Bernhard

In the summer of 1879, after the death of Theodore Bernhard, under whose principalship the Watertown High School had been established in 1866, and who had been its efficient head ever since, the board of education offered me the vacant position. Being at that time bound by contract to the position I then held at Manitowoc I had to decline the offer.

In the fall of 1880, the position having again become vacant the board of education, supported by the urgent invitation of many citizens, again offered it to me. I agreed to accept the position on condition that the school superintendency be combined with the high school principalship. My condition was accepted.

The duties of city superintendent of schools had hitherto combined what are now the duties of the clerk of the board of education with most of the administrative duties of the superintendent.

Rohr, W. H.

W. H. Rohr, who had held the office of superintendent before the change was made, was now appointed to the new position of clerk of the board of education. He had formerly been a successful teacher, and during the thirteen years I was associated with him in the administration of school affairs, he did much to lighten my work. His excellent qualities as an official have always been recognized.

I entered upon the duties of my position as superintendent and principal April 19, 1881, and continued to perform them until July 1, 1904. I am requested to give a brief account of our high school during these 23 years.

1881

High School part of

Union School No. 1 (Main St)

In 1881 the home of the high school was in what was then called Union School No. 1, now a part of the high school building. It occupied only two rooms on the upper floor of that building. As the attendance increased and more room was needed for the lower grades, the boards of education in 1883 determined to erect a new building.

1881 definition of

High School

In 1881 the term high school did not mean exactly what it meant in 1904.

Formerly the eighth grade was a grade of the high school. In 1884 it was made one of the grammar grades.

Formerly the school year was divided into three terms of instruction, beginning with the spring term at the end of the Easter vacation. Since 1888 the school term has been divided into semesters and the year of instruction was made to end in June. This was one of the most difficult chances to make, because it interfered with an old German custom. For some years the fourth year high school class existed during the spring term only, the regular annual promotions taking place at Easter and the commencement exercises in June.

It was our aim not to allow the high school to constitute an entirely separate institution. To indicate this it was determined not to use the college terms freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, but in order to show their relation to the grades, to use the term ninth grade, tenth grade, eleventh grade and twelfth grade. But this effort proved an utter failure. The boys and girls persisted in using the college terms.

Only two courses of study were followed in the high school, the general science course and the modern classical course. There were some optional studies - bookkeeping, commercial arithmetic, drawing, and later, shorthand and typing. But we could not teach all the subjects that should have been taught, nor divide up our classes to the best advantage because our teaching force was too small. The principal, who should have had the opportunity to give most of his time to supervision, generally had to teach five or six classes a day.

Most of the teachers employed during these years were interested in their work and did good service. When it was found to be desirable that shorthand be taught, one of the teachers devoted his summer vacation to the study of this art, and in the fall he was prepared to teach a large class in shorthand.

In 1881 and during a few years that followed, the high school had no supplementary or extra literary reading matter. The school library contained a few good books for references, but no books to speak of that boys and girls would care to take home to read.

All this has since changed for the better; classical reading matter has been supplied, the school library has been supplied with many good books, and the pupils have been given the advantage of using the public library.

The natural sciences had been given a prominent place on the course of study, but the apparatus provided was insufficient for the proper teaching of physics and chemistry. As it is easier to supply the most necessary apparatus and material for the teaching of chemistry than for the teaching of physics, the former was for a time made the more prominent study.

·

The number of assistant teachers required for the high school during these years, was as follows: 1881, one assistant; 1882, two; I884, three; 1893, four; 1902, five; 1903, an additional teacher to teach drawing two weeks each month.

_________________________________________________

1883 HIGH SCHOOL PART OF WEBSTER SCHOOL, WESTERN AVE

The 1883 construction of the building, later known as the Webster School, the rooms on (the) upper floor of which were assigned to the high school, and those on the lower floor to grammar grades.

06 27 CONTRACT LET.

Last week the board of education entered into a contract with C. Schmutzler for the erection of the First Ward School building at the sum of $14,500, this being $100 lower than the bid of J. Trumbull of Whitewater. The bid of W. Quentmeyer, although lower in price, was not satisfactory to the Board in certain requirements such as binding the board to advance money for material on the ground, etc. Mr. Schmutzler binds himself to have the building under roof and windows in it by December 1, and fully completed by July 1, next. WR

06 27 GRADUATION OF THE HIGH SCHOOL

Public schools closed this week. Friday the graduation of the high school will be held at Union School No. 1, with the graduating exercises and presentation of diplomas. Eight scholars will graduate. On Saturday all the public schools of the city will hold a grand picnic on Concordia Island. The scholars and teachers will move in procession to the picnic grounds at one o'clock p.m. WR

07 04 The ground is expected to be broken this week by Mr. Schmutzler for the erection of the new First Ward School and the work proceeded with as rapidly as possible. WR

07 13 ANOTHER SCHOOL HOUSE, DISSATISFACTION WITH

Editorial / Watertown Gazette, 07 13 1883

Many of our citizens seem to be dissatisfied with the action of the School Board in concluding to build another school house, claiming that the present school accommodations are sufficient to meet the requirements of the number of children here, believing that the expenditure of so many thousands could be far better utilized. Among the many reasons brought forward in support of their claim are the following:

In case of fire, Union School No. 1 is badly provided for, sufficient water not being obtainable in that locality to quench an ordinary blaze, although a cistern was sunk there for that purpose, but of a kind that is almost useless. A few hundred dollars might be well expended for the purpose of remedying this.

Others want a bridge across the river at the foot of Washington Street on the west side, it deemed of far greater importance and necessity than the erection of another school house at the present time.

Still other portions of our citizens consider the necessity of providing a suitable "lock-up" and a better and safer building than that now used by the Pioneer Fire Co., for the use of the company.

We might use a whole column in giving the different views of the citizens of Watertown on this subject, but believe the above sufficient to show what the sentiment is in the matter.

It is our opinion that a new school is not an absolute necessity and the money expended in it is needed more for other purposes. We do not condemn the School Board for the course taken by it. We believe that it has acted conscientiously, and the money expended will be well invested.

1885 GOSLING

The earliest use of the word “gosling” when referring to Watertown high school students.

1886 Union School No. 1, Grade School

1887

Before 1897 this was Union School No. 1. In 1897 it became the high school. That is why there are young children in the image.

The Watertown High School, located on the north side of Main Street, between Seventh and Eighth streets. Note Wesley Methodist Church in the distance on the far left. This image dates to about 1895. The high school was located here until 1917, when it moved to South Eighth St. Structure became the Watertown Armory and still later the Youth Activity Center (YAC). It was torn down in the late 1960s and the Welcome Inn was constructed on this site. Today the site of the Heritage Inn Hotel.

-------- The average salary paid in 1887, including high school teachers, was $45 per month; in 1908 it was $60.50

-------- 1887 high school had four teachers, including the superintendent; in 1908 it had nine, including the superintendent

1888

UNION SCHOOL NO. 1

c.1890

WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

S. Fifth St. and Western Ave.

Constructed in 1883 as Watertown High School. Became Webster grade school in early 1910’s. Demolished in 1957. Today site of Trinity-St. Luke’s Lutheran School.

1894

12 12 LECTURES AT THE CONCORDIA

The students of the high school have secured Professor Wescott for lectures at the Concordia Opera house, tomorrow afternoon and evening, on China, Korea and Japan, graphically illustrated with 100 colored stereopticon views, each 15X15 feet in size. This entertainment will no doubt prove very interesting, in view of the recent war disturbances in these countries. The hour for the matinee lecture is 4 o’clock; evening 8 o’clock. Admission – adults 25 cents; children 10 cents. WR

1895

06 26 THE SWEET & PROUD SENIORS

Again, with the advent of this beautiful month of roses, "commencements" become prevalent in all the various institutions of learning throughout the land. The sweet senior, in her dainty toilette, and the proud young gentleman graduate, once more claim their share of public attention, while the annual quota of graduates is again sent forth from their beloved alma maters into the busy world of practical life. WR

Watertown, from its representative seat of learning, the high school, sends forth its representation in the class of '95, the last recitation having been held and the last examination having been passed on Friday of last week.

c.1895

Became High School in 1897.

GRADUATION CLASS

1895

Emeline Runkie, Jennie Sproesser Rohr, Jennie Melzer Faber, Marie Iffland, Arthur Pohlman, Myrtle Huber, Gertrude Malloy, Fred Downing, Amanda Kabot, Alvina Brennecke, Frank Lounsbury, Lydia Broenneman Wertheimer, Helen Racek, Susan Kall, Marie Killian, Ernst Buending, Emma Kelly, Hedwig Hoerman Melzer

1897 UNION SCHOOL No. 1 BECOMES A HIGH SCHOOL

1898 Union School No. 1

05 11 Last evening the Board of Education considered the proposals offered for the remodeling and enlarging of the School No. 1 into a high school. The bids were in the main made on different branches of the work, only one bid being received for the entire contract. Work is expected to begin next week and the building will be pushed to completion by September 15. The total amount of the contracts let figures about $10,800. WR

1898 High School part of Union School No. 1 addition (Main St)

In 1898 additional room was provided by building an addition to Union School No. 1. The part added is the present assembly room of the high school, with its cloak rooms and the rooms on the first floor directly below. Alterations were also made in the basement and other parts of the building. A room for manual training was provided.

The enrollment of pupils of the high school in 1881 was fifty-two. In 1878, under the principalship of Mr. Bernard, it had reached 145. In 1904 it was 215.

Increased attendance in the high school is due to several causes. Among these the following may be mentioned:

1. Increase in wealth. There are more people now in our city who can afford to give their children a secondary education than there were formerly.

2. Higher appreciation of the value of high school education. Formerly most of our citizens held the opinion that an elementary education is sufficient for all except the few that want to prepare for a learned profession. This notion is slowly changing.

3. The course of study has been extended and made to contain more subjects which most people regard as of more practical value than the usual staple subject of the ordinary high school course.

4. More teachers are employed. This permits the assignment of each to the branches which he can teach best.

5. Occasionally, the too rapid promotion of pupils and admitting them to the high school before they are properly prepared for it.

12 28 NEW HIGH SCHOOL OPEN FOR INSPECTION

The new high school building will be open for inspection to the citizens of Watertown on Monday, January 2, from the hours of one to four in the afternoon. School commissioners and teachers will be present to receive all visitors. By order of the Board of Education. / C.F. Viebahn, Supt. of Schools. WR

1899 GRADUATION CLASS

Tillie Hagemann, Clara Miller nee Boettcher, Cornelia Nowack nee Brennecke, Zayda Grube, William Marquardt, Amy Ziegelman nee Nickels, Catherine Zimmerman nee Hall, Alma Kirchoff, Minna Miller nee Weber, Leona Steinmann, Morgan Throne, Laura Terwedo nee Schemmel, French Fuller, Louise Pautz nee Jaeger.

07 04 GRADUATION OF CLASS OF 1899

Amid flowers and greenery and tasteful decorations the class of '99 was graduated from the Watertown High School last Friday evening, the exercises being held in Turner Opera House before a large and appreciative audience. Sixteen young ladies and gentlemen composed the class. The idea of the decorations was carried out in red and white, the class colors, the front of the stage being festooned with bunting of those colors, while a border of white daisies forced a crest of the bunting, large palms swayed on the sides, and bouquets of red flowers interspersed the other embellishments, the whole forming a very tasteful picture.

The superintendent of schools Prof C. F Viebahn conducted the exercises and made a brief address in presenting the class, wherein he alluded to the value of a high school education and the beneficial results accruing from the association with good books, which such education fits one for. Prof. Viebahn complimented the class on its uniformly meritorious work while under his tutelage, and said that, notwithstanding each member had prepared an essay, only a portion of them could be assigned places on the program. WR

07 04 RECEPTION FOR CLASS OF 1899

After the graduating exercises Friday evening Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Whiting tendered a reception to the high school class of '99, their teachers and those who assisted in the musical portion of the program, at their home on Washington Street. Light refreshments were served and a pleasant hour passed in social intercourse. WR

07 04 11th REUNION HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSN

One of the most successful reunions of the Watertown High School Alumni association was the eleventh annual, held Saturday evening at the Concordia Opera house. Nearly 150 members were present and a delightful evening was passed in the enjoyment of the excellent program and in the recounting of old school day happenings . . . The program included the two act farce, "A Box of Monkey's," the banquet, during which several toasts were responded to, and dancing. Music was provided by the Blaesius string quartette during the entire evening. WR

1900

06 26 COMMENCEMENT

The class of 1900 was graduated from the Watertown high school last Thursday evening, the exercises taking place in Turner Opera house before a large and appreciative audience. To the strains of an inspiring march played by the Amateur Musical club, the class, numbering nineteen, with the sterner sex, for once, predominating, filed onto the stage and seated themselves in a semi-circle, their teachers and the board of education occupying the places in the rear. The stage was banked with palms and other potted plants, and the class colors—gold and blue—were effectively embodied in a pretty floral design, which depended (sic) from the flies. A large American flag, tastily draped, hung in the background. WR

12 14 LECTURE COURSE BY PROF. PYRE

The tickets and circular of instructions for the lecture course at the high school this winter has now been mailed to the public of Watertown, and we hope that each recipient will read the instructions carefully. Prof. Pyre is a great favorite wherever he has lectured. He has a pleasing manner and knows how to make his lectures very entertaining. The course promises to be one of the finest and most instructing ever given in this city. Prof. Pyre being a finished elocutionist recites poetry beautifully and will and enliven his lectures by copious recitations from the famous American authors. The price of admission for the entire course of six lectures will be only 75 cents. WG

1901

06 28 DISTURBANCE AT 1901 GRADUATION

The exercises of the graduating class of the High School took place at Turner Opera House on Thursday evening June 20th 1901. The house was filled to its full capacity, principally by representatives of all the best elements of the community, who attended for the sake of hearing and enjoying the program which had been prepared for the occasion. As usual, however, the senseless persons who are the bane of every public gathering were on hand to disgrace themselves and annoy all the others by their persistent laughing and talking. It is to be borne in mind that all the speakers on the program had been trained to speak clearly and distinctly and every one of them would have been perfectly heard but for the noise and confusion produced by these senseless and selfish public nuisances. How long Watertown audiences will submit to being harassed by these pestiferous persons remains to be seen. We suggest that the mayor issue a proclamation of warning to these incorrigibles and that he detail a special police force with full powers to forcibly eject such persons, and that these officers be stationed in various parts of the house at every public gathering and directed to use their authority without fear or favor, to the end that decent people may enjoy their civic rights in public places. WG

06 28 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION

Watertown High School Alumni Association

[same date] The commencement season in Watertown closed on Friday evening, June 28, with the thirteenth annual reunion of the Watertown High School Alumni Association. As usual the meeting took place at Concordia Opera House, where about one hundred and twenty-five graduates, with a few invited friends from out of town, met to renew their acquaintance and to enjoy the good things prepared by the committee of arrangements.

The lower hall had been tastefully arranged and decorated as a reception room, where Dr. N. A. Barber, Miss Anna Habhegger and Miss Else Wiggenhorn received the guests. At nine o’clock the banquet was announced. This was served in the upper hall, which was also decorated in red and white, the class colors of the class of 1901. Girls of the high school class of 1902 acted as waiters.

MENU

Bouillon

Wafers

Chicken Croquettes

Creamed Potatoes

Green Peas

Olives

Bread and Butter.

Fruit Salad

Cheese Wafers

Ice Cream

Assorted Cake

Salted Nuts

Coffee

Peppermint Wafers

The banquet over, Miss Kittie Williams of the class of 1891, as toastmistress, announced that our unlucky anniversary had arrived, and that the first piece of sad luck was the absence of Mrs. Kading, who was first upon the list of post-prandial speakers with the subject “Woman’s Possibilities.” As Mrs. Kading is practicing law in Watertown, much interest centered in her subject and all regretted her enforced absence.

The other toasts were as follows: “Ideals” responded to by Miss Emma Shakshaskv, 1896; “The Ladies,” responded to by Lewis Parks, 1900, “Our Unlucky Anniversary” responded to by Miss May Kelly; “Reminiscenses” responded to by Prof. M. H. Jackson.

All the responses were replete with “sayings wise and otherwise,” and were received with hearty applause. Prof. Jackson in particular, struck a responsive chord in many hearts, due to his former pleasant connection with the schools of Watertown.

One number on the program was the song “May Morning,” which was delightfully rendered by Miss Lula Bertram of the class of 1897, who also “responded” to an enthusiastic encore.

Following the toasts a short business meeting was held, after which the association listened to a two-act comedy entitled “Mr. Bob,” presented by the following casts of local talent, the picture of each participant appearing below:

Philip Rovson . . . . . John W. Schempf

Robert Brown, Clerk of Benson & Benson . . . . Daniel Throne

Jenkins, Miss Rebecca’s Butler . . . . Jno. Chapman

Rebecca Luke, Spinster . . . Elizabeth Throne

Katherine Rogers, her Niece . . . . . Blanche Webb

Marion Bryant, Katherine’s Friend . . . . Gertrude Malloy

Patty, Miss Rebecca’s Maid . . . . . Mrs. W. J. Lee

The play was replete with humor and ludicrous incidents and was given with marked dramatic ability and excellent effect.

Thus ended one of the most successful and enjoyable reunions of the society. Notwithstanding the oppressive hot weather, all felt that a most pleasant and profitable evening had been spent. There was indeed a single note of regret heard among the older members — regret that so many of the olden time were absent.

07 19 MISS MARIE KILLIAN

At a meeting of the Board Education held last Wednesday evening, Miss Marie Killian was transferred from 5th grade, No. 4 to the position of high school teacher, at a salary of $40 a month, leaving a vacancy in the 5th grade in that building, which will be filled at the next meeting of the School Board. WG

08 30 EXAMS FOR FALL TERM

The fall term of the public schools, except school No. 3, will open on Tuesday, September 3. Examinations will be held as follows: For admission to seventh and eighth grades, Thursday, Augusts 29. For admission to high school, Friday, August 30. For removal of conditions of high school students, Saturday, August 31. All these examinations will be held in room 2 of the high school building and will begin each day at 9 a. m. Applicants for admission to the high school are requested to bring with them and submit any certificates of standings which they may have. Such certificates will help to ascertain fitness, but no one will be admitted without at least some examination.

C. F. VIEBAHN.

Superintendent of Schools. WG

08 30 SCHOOL NO. 1 USED FOR HIGH SCHOOL

(same date) Four school buildings will hereafter be used in this city for public school purposes. School No. 1, in the 2d ward, school No. 2 in the 4h ward, school No. 3 in the 6th ward, and school No. 4 in 1st ward.

School No. 1 will hereafter be used for 8th grade and high school classes exclusively.

09 20 MISS ELLEN SULLIVAN

Miss Ellen Sullivan, who was elected by the board of education a few weeks ago to the position of teacher of biology, physiology and physical geography at the high school, has received an offer from the board of education of Cleveland, O., for the position of teacher of biology in the Cleveland high school. Miss Sullivan has decided not to accept the offer, and will retain her position in this city. Miss Sullivan is a graduate of Cornell and received one of the two highest scholarship prizes awarded by the university. — [Fond du Lac items in Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin of Sept. 16, 1901.]

Miss Sullivan’s home is in the town of Clyman, and she is well known in Watertown. At one time this summer it was thought she would apply for a position in our high school, but it appears the wages offered was not inducement enough for her. WG

10 11 NIGHT SCHOOL

At a meeting of the Board of Education held last Tuesday evening it was decided to hold a public night school, to which all boys and girls of this city over 15 years of age are admitted free. School will be held two nights a week for five months, beginning Monday evening, October 21,1901. Messers. Viebahn, Whiting and Muenich will be the instructors. This will be one of the best night schools ever held in the city and all young men and ladies who possibly can should take advantage of it WG

10 18 NIGHT SCHOOL, more on

The night school which will open next Monday evening at the high school will give an excellent opportunity for young people over 15 years of age to improve their education. The principal branches to be taught are bookkeeping, arithmetic and English. The students will be so classified that all may be given the work and the instructions for which they are prepared. The school is, however, not intended for children who ought to attend a day school. A night school that is held but two times a week can do little or nothing for children that have not yet mastered the first rudiments of reading, spelling and arithmetic. If it is warranted by the attendance, the school will be continued for five months. There will be two sessions a week, probably on Mondays and Thursdays. All who attend the school will be expected to do some work at home in preparing tasks and lessons assigned. No one should attend this school who is not willing to study and to attend punctually and regularly.

Judging from the character of the students already enrolled the prospects for a successful night school is most excellent. The school is for girls as well as for boys. WG

1902

06 01 SUMMER SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS AND PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS

The teachers and prospective teachers of Dodge and Jefferson counties will be given an opportunity to attend a summer school to be held in this city at the High school building July 7th, to August 1st. There has long been a desire on the part of many teachers of these two counties to have a summer school located at some central point such as Watertown, and to have the work of instruction such as will best prepare them for the county teachers’ examinations. This school is organized to meet these demands. The course of study will include all the old as well as new branches required for the three grades of teacher certificates. No attempt will be made to give systematic professional training, as that will be the function of the summer institutes to follow. The school will also afford high school students an excellent opportunity for academic review of common and high school branches. Students intending to write for certificates in Jefferson County will be given an opportunity to do so on the last day of the session.

1903

03 21 MONKEY ESCAPES TRAINING ACADEMY

AND HEADS TO HIGH SCHOOL

A monkey belonging to Seibel Bros, pony and dog show created quite a little amusement for pupils at the high school building and residents adjacent to the training quarters in North Eighth Street Thursday morning. “Casey” with its mate escaped from a barn basement where they are kept but the latter was rescued before it reached the street. “Casey” however made good his escape and took up quarters in one of the trees in the school house yard nearby. He refused all tempting offers to come down and evidently enjoyed his protected position until a number of boys with the aid of a long ladder drove him from his perch. He nimbly jumped from branch to branch and from tree to tree until he was finally cornered when he leaped to the ground, a distance of twenty feet and was driven to the training quarters where he was captured. In the meantime, a large crowd was present to watch the proceedings, which “Casey” evidently enjoyed. The animal is 36 inches high when on his haunches and is yet comparatively in his wild condition. It required 75 minutes time and assistance of half a dozen persons to secure him.

1904

06 28 COMMENCEMENT

A very large audience greeted the class of 1904 of the high school at its graduating exercises held at Turner Opera House on the evening of the 23rd instant. Every seat in the house, including the galleries, had been reserved and assigned upon application to friends of the graduates, students of the upper classes of the public schools and citizens generally. Some who had not been able to obtain seats found standing room in the aisles and doorways. As usual the stage had been tastefully decorated by the junior class, aided by the teachers, the decorations consisting of palms, wild ferns and masses of ox-eye daisies, together with liberal quantities of gold and white bunting hung in festoons below the foot-lights and above the platform.

Unfortunately, just as the exercises were about to begin, the electric lights were extinguished, delaying the opening for half an hour. Finally a few gas jets were lighted, a few lamps brought in, and at 8:45 Supt. C. F. Viebahn announced that owing to the delay there would be a change in the program. He stated that the instrumental duets would be deferred until more lights could be obtained, and that his own address would be omitted, and the exercises would open with a history of the class of 1904 by Josephine Voss. This exercise proved to be an enjoyable “give-away,” combining history with prophesy in a humorous vein, the individuals being dealt with better understood and appreciated by the class than by the general public. Miss Voss’ number was a decided success.

1906

11 06 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NIGHT SCHOOL

At a regular meeting of the board of education a matter of considerable importance was disposed of. It was the adoption of a report favorable to the establishment of a night school in the high school building for the benefit of the young men and young ladies of the city who are unable to attend the day schools by reason of the fact that they are employed in the factories or otherwise engaged in earning a livelihood. Chairman Voss said they [the committee on teachers and instruction] was not overly sanguine as the experiment had been tried here in the past without success. They were willing however to risk the venture, realizing that there were more young ladies and young gentlemen in the city than there were then. The report stated that the members of the committee had taken the matter up with the superintendent of schools and three of the assistants of the high school and they had concluded to recommend the holding and maintaining of such an evening school. They recommended that it be held in the high school building for a term of four months, commencing Thursday, Nov. 15, 1906, instructions to be given twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays. It was further recommended that the male teachers of the high school be employed at a compensatory salary . . .

11 17 NIGHT SCHOOL OPENED

The night school opened at the high school building last evening under quite favorable circumstances. The attendance, however, was not as large as was expected, at least by some of the members of the board of education which authorized the opening of the school at its last meeting. One of the members of the board last evening when informed by a Leader representative that the enrollment was twenty-nine, expressed surprise and said he thought it would be at least fifty. . . . Superintendent Roseman also thought there would be a larger enrollment ... He is of the opinion that the attendance will increase, especially when it becomes known and the fact of the benefits becomes appreciated. It should not, however take coaxing or persuasion to increase the number of students. There are many young men seen nightly loafing on the street corners and young ladies gadding the streets who would do well to take advantage of this opportunity . . .

12 16 NIGHT SCHOOL CLOSED

The public night school has closed for the holiday season. The new feature in the public educational institution of our city will reopen on Thursday evening, Jan. 3rd. The night school has proven a great success and many of the young people of the city who are engaged in earning a livelihood in factories, stores and offices are taking advantage of this excellent means of adding to their store of knowledge. Superintendent Roseman and the teachers in charge are well pleased with the success of the school thus far. Even some of the members of the board of education who were opposed, in a way, to the school, now realize that no mistake was made in launching this new department . . . Those who have attended thus far have expressed their intention of returning at the reopening and it is more than probably that several new students will be enrolled. This is a rare opportunity and there should be many more in a position to reap the benefits.

1907

Graduation Class

1908

---- THESPIANS

06 18 Commencement WL

06 27 To use the phraseology of the theatrical people, the seniors of the Watertown High School held the boards at the Turner Opera House last evening, presenting their class play, "All On Account of the Professor." The young people not only "held the boards", but they held the rapt attention of their audience which fairly packed the hall. The young folks acquitted themselves in a very credible manner and that their work was appreciated was amply evidenced in the generous applause which came with frequency.

It was no doubt the means of giving permanency to high school class plays in Watertown and it is safe to predict that hereafter it will be an annual event to which each senior class will look forward to with great expectancy, as will also be the case with friends and patrons of this local institution of learning. Each member of the cast carried out their respective parts without a hitch and in a manner that reflected great credit upon the senior class of 1908. WL

09 11 Re-shingling portion of the High School; L. Wright manual training teacher; Eighth grade transferred to School No. 4.

11 13 Playgrounds proposed for vacant lots; later site for High School WG

1909

01 22 Webster Debating Society officers elected WG

01 22 Manual training and drawing, new dept WG

07 02 Commencement exercises, 42 grads WG

07 02 Last Monday evening there was a large attendance at the 21st annual reunion of the Watertown High School Alumni Association . . . WG

08 20 Ratio maintained pupils and assistants WG

08 27 Mechanical drawing sets WG

1910

01 21 Mrs. Gordon E. Bacon entertained teachers and her Latin class WG

01 22 Manual training and drawing, new dept WG

01 29 Junior Prom for Seniors WG

03 11 Boys' and girls’ declamatory contests WG

03 11 Inter-class basketball games at the Turner WG

03 25 Thieves enter High School WG

04 22 Prof. B. E. McCormick, first assistant principal, resignation WG

04 29 Class honors for the year WG

06 10 Senior class play WG

06 17 Debate on immigration laws WG

06 24 Commencement WG

06 24 Condition of High School WG

07 01 Twenty-second annual reunion of High School WG

1911

03 02 High School Debate—The High School debate at the High School building last Friday night was a very interesting affair, the question under debate being State Ownership of Water Power in Wisconsin. The Watertown team, composed of Peter Brooks, Philip Quentmeyer and George Lewandowski had the affirmative side of the question and the Beaver Dam team had the negative. Wm. F. Voss of this city presided at the meeting and I. O. Hubbard, principal of the Fond du Lac High school, David Bogue, attorney of Portage, and A. M. Jones, principal of the Lake Mills school, officiated as judges. The judges decided two in favor of Beaver Dam and one in favor of Watertown. WG

03 16 State Superintendent Carey Compliments Watertown High School

Mr. James Moore, President of Board of Education, Watertown, Wisconsin

Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of the report of Inspectors Terry and Borden of their visit to your High School on March 7th.

The report as a whole is very favorable, especially considering the number of pupils per teacher, and the inspectors give the school a good ranking among the high schools of the state.

The discipline and general attitude were excellent and the recitations were well conducted by the teachers, though in some cases there did not seem to have been a rigid enough insistence upon thorough preparation by the students of the assigned lessons. Apparently, if there is any special problem in the school it is that of securing harder study on the part of the considerable number of the pupils. With the excellent management and the strong force of teachers which the school has at present this more rigid insistence upon the proper amount of work by the pupils should not be difficult.

This and various other matters relating to school work were fully discussed in a faculty meeting held after school.

The equipment and janitor service are satisfactory.

The inspectors note a large increase in the enrollment since the last visit. It has now reached what should be considered the extreme limit for the number of teachers. With an average of over 30 pupils per teacher it is self-evident that the teachers must be overburdened with work and that it is impossible to meet the needs of individual pupils or of the school as a whole in a thoroughly efficient degree.

The building, too, as you are no doubt fully aware, is too small for so large a school.

I sincerely hope that you will seriously consider both of these questions and that you can see your way clear to increase the number of teachers this year if possible — if not, than certainly next year — and also that provision can be made for adequate accommodations in the near future.

The growth of your school is very gratifying and indicates an excellent sentiment toward education in your community, but it should be remembered that it also brings added responsibility in the matter of providing increased facilities if a high standard of work is to be maintained.

Assuring you of my interest in the success of your school, I remain,

Very truly yours

C. P. Carey, State Superintendent WG

Class of 1911, 50 year reunion, 1961. Watertown Historical Society Collection

1911

07 20 School Superintendent’s Annual Report

High School crowding; public school enrollment; Webster School

The enrollment this year [school year ending June 23, 1911] shows an increase of 1 pupil over that of 1910. The total enrollment this year is 1231, and last year it was 1230. This shows that the school population in our city is not increasing very rapidly. Our records show that a greater number of school children left the city during the past year than entered.

The enrollment in the high school reached 311 this year, which is 91 more than the seating capacity of the assembly room. This congested condition was handled by having those who lived within three blocks of the building report for recitation only, and by assigning the balance of the overflow seats in the library, laboratory, and two recitation rooms on the first floor . . .

In my opinion, the heating and ventilating scheme to be installed in Webster School is one of the very best, and I have every reason to believe that it will work perfectly.

The boys’ closet and urinal in Webster School ought to be placed against the west wall and fitted up in a sanitary manner. In order to make this room sanitary the sewerage system will have to be readjusted and while doing this the additional cost to move the closets and modernize them would not be great . . .

The high school work progressed quite satisfactorily, regardless of the crowded condition. During the first part of the year a little annoyance occurred on account of one of the lady assistants being a little weak in discipline. The teacher was a conscientious hard worker, but she was not a match for events as they developed in the growing minds of the children. In addition she found the work very heavy and at Christmas time asked for a leave of absence . . . On account of the crowded conditions the best results cannot be expected. Many of the pupils were compelled to sit at home and report only for classes . . . It is difficult to regulate the home time with that of the school clock and pupils come in at different times, and having no vacant room in which to assemble, are compelled to stand around the halls until the classes pass. To obviate this condition more room ought to be provided . . . WG

1912

03 14 High School Teams to Debate

A debating team from Columbus will come to Watertown to meet a team from the Watertown High School in debate on Friday evening. The question for debate is “Resolved, that trial by jury in the United States should be abolished.” Both teams have been working on the question for several months.

The Watertown team, which is composed of Wallace Thauer, Alvin Brendemuehl and Peter Brooks, will debate the affirmative of the question. The debate will be held in the high school at 7:30 o'clock. Hon. William F. Voss will preside.

On the same evening another team consisting of Alya Soldner, Jack Coughlin and George Lewandowski will debate the negative question with Beaver Dam High School at Beaver Dam. In order to defray the expenses of the teams a small admission fee of 10 cents will be charged. WG

05 09 Editor Daily Times Might Take Own Advice Before "Rushing Into Print"

Editor Gazette:—The Daily Times of Saturday evening calls an unsigned article in The Gazette against members of the police force "cowardly," that it “cast odium upon the whole department." If this is so, then how much more cowardly was that unsigned article in favor of a mashing ordinance, which appeared in a recent issue of The Times, in which special mention was made of High School students. Did not that throw odium upon the entire school? According to The Times own reasoning then, that was an insult to the entire student body, and not only that, but to every parent who has a child in High School. If any complaints are to be made against High School students, why don't they take it to the school board? That body is a regularly-constituted one, and complaints should be made to it. All its members are respectable men, and it has always contained men of good reputation. The Times says "Of late it seems to be the fad to discredit everybody connected with the conduct of city affairs, and the police of course come in for their share." On the contrary, it seems to be the fad for some of those connected with the city administration to insult everyone with any claim to respectability, and the police can expect nothing else than to be discredited if they follow the lead of some of their superiors.

A Minor. WG

1912

Class of 1912. Watertown Historical Society Collection

1912: Largest Class in History of High School

06 27 Thursday evening, June 20, 1912, a large audience was present to enjoy the exercises of the Watertown High School at Turner Opera House. The weather was ideal and it added greatly to the pleasure of the evening. The program was a decidedly good one, and the different addresses of the graduates on the program were well spoken and reflected great credit on the school, the teachers and the graduates.

Prof. A. B. Hall of the State University was the orator of the occasion and took for his subject "The Playground of Life," the drift of his argument being that all should cultivate a live and let live spirit in order to bring about a better condition in life for all.

The diplomas were presented to the class by the Hon. Wm. F. Voss, chairman of the committee on teachers and instruction of the board of education. Mr. Voss reminded the graduates that their education was finished so far as the Watertown High School was concerned, but said it never really would be complete. He spoke of the many changes for the good of the school that had taken place in the past 15 years— new courses and instructors were added, such as manual training, domestic science, music and commercial. He closed his remarks by wishing the graduates, on behalf of the Board of Education, success and happiness through life.

Following is the program in full, the list of graduates and the addresses delivered . . .

The list of graduates follows . . . WG

Watertown High School Alumni Association

and Banquet a Great Success.

06 27 1912

One of the most successful reunions and banquets of the Watertown High School Alumni Association in its history took place last Friday evening at Turner Opera House, followed by a ball. The attendance was larger than it has been for many years. The fore part of the program consisted of renewing old friendships and of social chat, followed by the banquet for which the following menu was served . . .

Miss Wilder made an excellent toast-mistress and J. E. McAdams' address to the class of 1912 was a decidedly able and interesting one.

On behalf of the Alumni he heartily and truly welcomed the class into the society; that the learning and also the great talent which the members of the class have shown will be a big aid in forming an association which will be stronger and better than ever.

“To those members of the class who were not going to college do not forget your books, a well informed person gets the most enjoyment out of life, education is better than great wealth. The father who has given his children an education has done his duty. Today people are realizing more than ever the value of an education; ten years ago only about twenty students graduated from the local high school; this year fifty-four.

“Be grateful to your parents and teachers, have no petty jealousies, be charitable and humane, and have faith in yourselves. Girls of the class, do not be butterflies or bees, but be a happy medium.

“I welcome you on behalf of the Alumni into this society, and may health and happiness attend you throughout your lives.”

Miss Regina Hoefler responded, saying that the class felt honored to be taken into the Alumni; that the class of 1912 was made up of 34 girls and 20 boys who had shown much talent and had excelled in many ways, and would no doubt be a credit to the society, that the annual alumni banquet afforded a means for the class to reunite and renew friendships, that the members of the class should be true to their class, to the Alumni and to themselves. WG

11 14 "THE GRAND OLD FLAG"

The Watertown High School will present the greatest war drama ever written, "The Grand Old Flag," at Turner Opera House on the evening of November 21, with two hundred home people on the stage under the direction of Col. F. L. Hunt, author of the play. He is coming from Chicago with all his scenery and costumes, the same that were used in this great play at McVickers Theater for eleven weeks, under the auspices of the U.S. Grant Grand Army Post, an organization with twelve hundred members that attended the performance in uniform and made one of the most attractive and enthusiastic audiences that ever attended a war production in America. For weeks the audience continued to be very large and the patrons were sailors, soldiers and patriotic citizens with the boxes filled with the elite of society and even the governor and his staff came up from Springfield to enjoy the play. This great production will be presented by the Watertown High School with home talent. In addition to the four acts of the great drama there will be five beautiful tableaux, a chorus of one hundred and fifty voices, several soloists, a male quartette and plantation jubilee singers. The prices will be 25, 35 and 50 cents. WG

11 21 "THE GRAND OLD FLAG"

The students of the Watertown High School are working afternoon and evening on the big chorus and the big plantation jubilee and the four acts of the great war drama, "The Grand Old Flag," to be given at Turner Opera House, Thursday evening, Nov. 21. The papers of Oshkosh and Appleton, where the play was just presented, printed articles over a column long in praise of the success it was in these towns – and it will be the same in Watertown. The papers say that Col. Hunt, the gentleman who is here from Chicago, is worth the price of admission for his German part. They also say the beautiful tableaux at the end of each act are worth the money; also the big war song chorus at the end of the fourth act is worth more than the price of admission. WG

1913

01 02 HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '05 ENTERTAINMENT

Last Friday evening the Watertown High School class of 1905 held a reunion and banquet at the Commercial Hotel. The table decorations were in the class colors, black and gold, and a Christmas tree was placed in the center of the table. Miss Marie Killian officiated as toastmistress. She began teaching in the Watertown High School the year the class of 1905 entered the High School. Miss Maude Beisner responded to the toast:

Schoolmates:

"I am wishing for you today,

And wishes are prayers, they say,

What wealth of joy, if this be true,

Will surely come, dear friends, to you."

Each member of the class present responded to a toast. It was decided to make the event an annual affair. Present were: Misses Marie Killian, Kathryn Becker, Anna Kress, Gertrude Kramer, Maude Beisner, Irene Jones, Laura O'Brien, Helen Deimel, Eugenie Abele, Anna Goecke, Hilda Gnewuch, Mrs. A. Keel; Messrs. Arthur Radtke, Ashippun; Walter Simon, Memphis, Tenn. WG

-- -- THE WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ORBIT LAUNCHED

Name “ORBIT” chosen instead of “VIBRATOR”

Following abstracted from 1913 edition of the Orbit, the first yearbook of the Watertown High :

Feb. 25 – Seniors decide to publish annual.

Feb. 26 – Names suggested for annual.

Feb. 27 – “Orbit,” “Vibrator” and “Quibbler” voted on.

Feb. 28 – Sympathetic vibrations passing from pupils who need not take February’s Latin exam, to those who must.

Mar. 1 – Immortalization of Dan Brooks who suggested the name “Orbit.” [note: Dan Brooks was a sophomore in 1913]

Elsewhere in this first edition the following is found: ORBIT – A short word formed by selecting five letters out of VIBRATOR.

So now we know. In choosing “Orbit” over “Vibrator” these young Goslings unknowingly coined a designation that could be used over the years, avoiding puns on a possible second meaning (double entendre).

Go Goslings!

___________________________________________________________________

1913 Letter from Jack to Jill

1913, New High School note

1913, Spring weather note

From 1913 High School Orbit (first Orbit published)

·

WEATHER LETTER.

Watertown, Wis., April 7, 1913

Dear Jill:

Your good letter found me in a most receptive mood when it came yesterday. I am glad that you are so much enjoying the apparently perpetual sunshine of California.

I cannot help contrasting the beautiful weather you describe with that which we are now experiencing. We have our rubbers on our feet, are holding our skirts in one hand, and our umbrellas in the other, after the fashion appropriate to Wisconsin people at this season of the year. The backbone of old Winter has passed, but we are not yet out of range of the last expiring whisks of his long caudal appendage. An operation upon him similar to the one you and I performed on our old cat would do him good, don't you think so?

Do you remember how people used to tease us when we went up the hill to get a pail of water? Well that kind of an excursion would not be necessary now, for we could use rain water, or melted sleet, or extract of hail stones, just as we chose to select, for we are having all of these in monotonous rotation.

You will wonder with me whether the people who named this good old place Watertown were trying to be truthful, or just sarcastic. Our old high school has not yet been washed away. If you were here today we would jump over the puddles together and visit the dear old place. They are going to have a new high school as soon as the weather clears up so that the carpenters can get to work at it.

The seniors are going to get out an annual this year unless the weatherman frustrates their plan. I shall not fail to send you one.

Happiness here is at present confined to the Watertown geese, and their aquatic associates, the ducks and frogs.

This tirade against the weather is not intended to discourage you from coming back home next year. I much hope you will do so.

Sincerely yours, Jack.

P. S. The paleness of this ink is due to the fact that it rained in the ink bottle.

1914

02 05 JUNIOR PROM

The Junior prom of the Watertown High School held at Masonic Temple Friday evening was one of the most successful in the history of the school. Orange and black, the class colors, were used in decorating, and the greenery used at the Knight Templars ball a few evenings previous were intact, which added much to the attractiveness of the ball room. The grand march was led by Daniel Brooks, president of the junior class, and Miss Marian Anderson, a member of the high school faculty. Refreshments were served by members of the sophomore class. Beside the Juniors and Seniors present were the high school faculty, Hon. William F. Voss, M. F. Blumenfeld, John G. Conway, A. A. Frattinger, H. W. Werner, members of the school board, and Mrs. J. G. Conway and Mrs. H. W. Werner. The committees having charge of the prom were made up as follows:

Music — Robert Brumm, Doris Meyer, Helen Belrose.

Refreshments — Margaret Mueller, Helen Maede, Rose Murphy, Mary Wieman, Edna Hertel.

Amusements — Margaret Mueller, Ruth Archie, Ben Krueger, Viola Volkman, Reginald Humphrey.

Decorating — Melvin Norbert, Reginald Humphrey, Mabel King, Lucile Liebermann, Ewald Hub, Joseph Lange, Herbert Rodeck, Paul Conway, Edna Ullrich, Gertrude Nickels.

Invitations — Dan Brooks, Elsie Schurr, Lester Williams, Marcella Sette.

Program — Elsie Schwendke, Selma Neitzel, Ruth Johnson, Marcella Holstine, Dorothy Hoeffner.

Reception — Dan Brooks, Paul Conway, Reginald Humphrey, Herbert Rodeck, Edna Ullrich, Mabel King, Lucile Liebermann. WG

02 12 VISITED HIGH SCHOOLS

William F. Voss, president of the Board of Education, W. H. Woodard, A. H. Frattinger, M. F. Blumenfeld and Simon Molzahn, members of the Watertown Board of Education, and Supt. T. J. Berto visited Ft. Atkinson last Thursday to inspect the new high school in that city, with a view of using the information in the erection of the new high school in Watertown.. WG

04 16 NEW HIGH SCHOOL ASSURED

At an adjourned meeting of the Board of Education last evening the Board arranged to engage Parkinson & Dockendorf of La Crosse, architects, to draw plans and specifications for a new high school. The Board also decided the Eighth Street city property, with the Meckes property just north of it, as the proper site for the school. WG

05 07 HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT

Commencement week will open with the production of the Senior class play on Monday, June 15. The graduation exercises will be held at Turner Opera House on Wednesday, the 17th, with the alumni reception and banquet on the following evening.

Prof. Albert Johnson of the University extension division of the University of Minnesota will deliver the address, his subject being “The Quest.” Prof. Johnson was until the last year connected with the University of Wisconsin in a similar capacity. His excellence as a commencement day orator is unquestioned, and the board of education has been fortunate indeed to have his services.

Wallace Thauer, Ray Meyer and Louis Bandelin have been selected as the honor students who will have a part in the commencement exercises. The first named will act as valedictorian, the second as salutatorian and the third will make the presentation of the class memorial. It is now expected that the graduating class will number thirty-three.

The right to produce a popular school play, “The Varsity Coach,” has been secured, and the members of the senior class who will take part in the play are already hard at work under the direction of Miss Edna Chadwick.

The eighth grade graduation exercises will be held at Turner opera house Tuesday evening, and the alumni reception and banquet will be held on Thursday evening, but arrangements for this; the closing feature of the week, are as yet incomplete. WG

11 05 HALLOWEEN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL

The teachers and over 300 pupils of the Watertown High School enjoyed a Halloween entertainment at the High School building last Friday evening. A program was carried out by the different classes that kept all in excellent humor from 8 until after 11 o’clock. It was by all odds the most successful entertainment ever given by the pupils of the high school, and the various amusements, through of a ludicrous character, were elevating and edifying, and several of the stunts pulled off showed that the pupils of the Watertown High School are possessed of much originality and have a liking for good, wholesome amusement.

1217 ARCHITECT REQUESTED FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL

To the Mayor and Common Council.

The undersigned special committee to whom was referred the matter of examining the plans, etc., in connection with the new high school proposition, beg leave to report that we have had several meetings with a special committee of the board of education and as a result of such several meetings it was deemed advisable that before proceeding further with the matter in question, that an architect be employed for the purpose of ascertaining whether the present high school building cannot be remodeled and enlarged and if so whether it would be advisable to do so.

The undersigned further report that the board of education desires authority to expend not to exceed three hundred ($300) dollars of the five thousand ($5000) dollars heretofore appropriated for the use of the board of education in obtaining plans and specifications for a new high school building and the undersigned committee recommends that a resolution be passed authorizing the board of education to do so.

Respectfully submitted,

Wm. A. Beurhaus,

Wm. Wedemeyer,

F. C. Werner,

John Kessler,

Geo. A. Richards,

Special Committee.

The report was adopted. WG

1915

03 11 BUSINESS ASSN FAVORS NEW HIGH SCHOOL

The Gazette is pleased to note that at a meeting of the Business Men’s Association of Watertown held last Tuesday evening a resolution was passed favoring the erection of a new high school building of a size sufficient to accommodate not only the pupils of high school age in this city, but also the young people of the farming district around Watertown who may desire a high school education. Start the good work along as speedily as possible. This commendable move of the Board of Education, started about two years ago, we thought had been buried; at least it has been a sleeping. We hope the good work will now be taken hold of with a vim and be completed within a year or two. Watertown needs a new high school building and a good large campus surrounding it, and needs them badly. WG

03 11 DEBATE TEAMS LOOSE

[same date] The Watertown High School teams were unfortunate last week in losing both debates, being defeated by the Columbus team at Columbus, taking the negative side of the question, in the debate between Watertown, Beaver Dam and Columbus, and at the local high school by the Columbus high school team, taking the affirmative side. The question under debate was “Resolved, That Our Immigration Laws Should Debar All Immigrants Over 10 Years of Age Who are Unable to Read and Write; Provided That the Law Should not Apply to Dependents When Qualified Immigrants or Residents of the United States.” At the Watertown High School the Watertown team consisted of Gilbert Schmutzler, Herbert Rodeck and Ed Bandelin. The Beaver Dam team consisted of Franklin Kuehl, Irwin Lathrop and Walter Neiman. The judges were Supt. A. L. Halverson, Oconomowoc; Principal L. G. Curtis, Waterloo, and Principal Oscar Bauer, Juneau.

The Watertown team at Columbus was made up of Paul Conway, Elmer Lemmerhirt and Dan Brooks. They were accompanied there by W. J. Trautman, principal of the High school. WG

03 17 DEATH OF CHARLES F. VIEBAHN WDT

03 18 NEW HIGH SCHOOL ASSURED

PROCEEDINGS

Of a special meeting of the Common Council of the city of Watertown, Wisconsin, held March 10, 1915.

The meeting was called by the mayor for the purpose of receiving and considering the report of the Board of Education in relation to the construction of a new high school.

The following communication was presented:

To the Common Council and the Board of Education of the city of Watertown.

Gentlemen:

At a meeting of the Business Men’s Association held on Tuesday evening, March 9, the following resolution was presented, and unanimously adopted:

“Resolved, That it is the sentiment of the members of the Business Men’s Association of Watertown, representatives of heavy tax paying interests, that Watertown should have a new, substantial high school building, capable of accommodating its local pupils and also the children of our farming community who desire to avail themselves of our excellent educational facilities, and any action our school board and city council may take toward the erection of such new high school building will meet with the hearty approval of this association.

Very truly yours, Business Men’s Association, Max Melzer, Secretary.

The same was placed on file.

President Voss of the school board then presented the matter of the new high school, stating, among other things, that a new high school was a necessity; that the old building is overcrowded, is not adapted to the needs of modern service and is defective owing to improper ventilation. He stated that the cost of a building of the type and size required would be about $100,000. This building would accommodate 350 pupils in the assembly room, allowing fifteen square feet of space to each pupil, or 400 pupils allowing twelve square feet for each. That the enrollment at present is about 300 with an attendance of about 280. The new building would therefore call for an additional seventy to 120 pupils.

He stated further that the proposition of rebuilding the present high school building to conform with present requirements is not feasible, for the reason that during the wrecking of the old and the construction of the new, a period of approximately one and one-half years, it would be impossible to secure suitable quarters in which to hold school.

Furthermore, the estimated cost of such rebuilding would be $86,000 as compared with $100,000 for the new building, not a great saving. Also that the lot occupied by the present high school building, with dimensions of 200 x 216 feet, is too small to properly contain the new building, which is about 170 x 160 feet. The so-called Eighth Street Park, bounded by Eighth, Ninth and Wisconsin streets, being 242 feet north and south and 294 feet east and west, was pointed out as being the most feasible and economical site for the proposed new school.

Health commissioner Haney stated that the ventilation of the old building is very defective, has been criticized repeatedly by the state board of health and was unfit to be used for high school purposes.

During the ensuing discussion, participated in by the members of the school board and common council, various other points were brought out, among them that the school board was unanimous in the opinion that a new building was necessary and that such building should be built along the lines of the plans suggested. Pencil sketches of the proposed plan were presented and explained by members of the board. The plan proposed provides for what is commonly known as a fireproof building.

Upon the conclusion of the discussion it was the sense of the meeting that the school board should present at the next regular meeting of the common council a formal report and recommendation of its requirements for a new high school building, with pencil sketch attached, for further consideration of the common council.

The council adjourned.

Frank S. Weber, City Clerk. WG

03 18 NEW HIGH SCHOOL ASSURED (same date)

City Council Takes Favorable Action.

At a regular meeting of the city council last Tuesday evening the following resolution was passed, which assures the city a fine new high school building. Watertown has differed in several things agitating the people here of late, but it is very gratifying to note that there is almost a unanimous feeling in our city that a new high school building be erected. This speaks well for the future of our city, and where its educational interests are so enthusiastically looked after we may rest assured it will have a most wholesome effect on the moral and material interests of Watertown.

Whereas, A certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Education has been submitted to this Common Council, wherein it is recited that a public necessity for a new high school building has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the said board;

And Whereas, The said board has submitted pencil sketches of a new building to cost about $100,000, the same having a seating capacity of 350 pupils in the assembly room, allowing fifteen square feet for each pupil;

And Whereas, Said sketches have been examined and all matters in connection with the construction of a new high school building have been thoroughly considered by this common council;

And Whereas, It is also the opinion of this common council that necessity exists for the construction of a new high school building in this city;

Be It Resolved, That the resolution of the Board of Education, first above mentioned, be and the same is hereby approved, and that the said board be and is hereby directed to secure full workable plans and specifications in accordance with said pencil sketches from the architects, the payment for which is hereby sanctioned.

Resolved Further, That the Board of Education be and it is hereby directed to advertise for proposals for the construction of said new building in accordance with such plans and specifications, and to report the result of the advertisement to this Common Council.

Resolved Further, That it be and is the sense of this common council that this building be built upon the so-called “school lots” between Eighth and Ninth streets in the Ninth ward.

The resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Ayes – Beurhaus, Gruetzmacher, Harte, Kerr, Kessler, Knick, Kohn, Lutovsky, Richards, Schmechel, Wedemeyer, Werner—12; Noes—Glatzel—1; Excused—Klemann—1 WG

04 01 HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI HOP

The annual Easter ball of the Alumni Association of the Watertown High School has been set for April 5, Easter Monday. The ball will be held at the Masonic Temple and Bramer’s four-piece orchestra will furnish the music. Net proceeds of the ball will be applied on the deficit of the reception and banquet to be held next June for the class of 1915.

The ball is being arranged and will be in charge of the officers of the association, who are as follows:

President — Mrs. E. L. Schempf.

First Vice President — Ray Reichardt.

Second Vice President — Mrs. Walter Schlueter.

Secretary — Miss Mabel Triplett.

Treasurer — Louis Bandelin.

Tickets are now on sale and may be secured from the officers. WG

05 25 CLASS OF 1915

A graduating class of 37 will be given diplomas at the high school graduating exercises to be held at Turner Opera house Wednesday evening, June 16. The commencement address will be delivered by Paul F. Voelkert, secretary of the department of instruction of the state university. Following is the list of graduates: Paul H. Conway, Mabel King, Lucile S. Liebermann, Doris A. Meyer, Margaret Mueller, Daniel L. Brooks, Hannah E. Cowen, Ruth B. Johnson, Florence Lenz, Arnold Nickels, Herbert A. F. Rodeck, Marcella A. Sette, Viola I. Volkmann, Myra Wieting, Marguerite E. Goodnetter, Elsa E. Schwendke, Ruth Ellen Tyson, Ruth Marie Archie, Anna I. Biefeld, Selma Spohn, Edna Ullrich, Mary Wieman, Helen Cecilia Belrose, Robert A. Brumm, Henrietta M. Buege, Edna C. Hertel, Ewas G. Hub, Ben R. Krueger, Joseph Lange, Hannah C. Lewis, Arthur R. Linnes, Helen A. Maede, Gertrude S. Nickels, John F. Moriarty, Herbert Radtke, Elsie H. Schur, Anna Maass.

Class Honors by Rank - Roedeck, Lucille Liebermann, Daniel Brooks, Arnold Nickels, Helen Belrose. Class Honors by Election - Daniel L. Brooks, president; Joseph T. Lange, vice-president; Margaret Mueller, secretary; Ruth M. Archie, treasurer.

Class Colors - Purple and white. Class Flower - Blue aster. Class Motto - “Nothing Too Much”

10 14 NIGHT SCHOOL TO OPEN

Superintendent T. J. Berto announced on Tuesday that the public night school would be opened for the winter session at the high school building Thursday evening. A competent corps of teachers will be in charge of the school, which will offer a wide range of subjects for study. There will be classes organized in commercial subjects, including beginning bookkeeping, advanced bookkeeping, beginning shorthand, advanced shorthand, arithmetic, typewriting, penmanship, spelling, letter writing, rapid calculation, classes in reading in English, in mechanical drawing and manual training, and in any other subject desired by a sufficient number of students. Night school will be open to all persons over 16 years of age and persons between the ages of 14 and 16 years who are not now attending school. No tuition will be charged and the text books will be furnished free of charge. A deposit of $1.50 at the time of receiving text books will be required. This deposit will be returned at the close of night school upon the return of the text books. Students should enroll Thursday evening and determine to remain until the term closes in the spring. Sessions will be held in the high school building Monday evening and Thursday evening of each week at 7:15 o'clock. WG

11 04 BREWERY BRICKS FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING

Carl H. Block and Mallow & Kaddatz were the lowest bidders for tearing down the old Fuermann brewery plant, at the foot of North First Street, recently acquired by the city, their bid being $7150. The bid includes tearing down the building, cleaning the bricks and hauling 800,000 of them to the site of the new high school building, drawing all nails from lumber and storing lumber. WG

11 04 NEW HIGH SCHOOL HEATING CONTRACT

On Monday evening the contract for putting in the Kewaunee smokeless heating plant in the new high school building was awarded to Kehr Bros. of this city.

Following were the bids submitted:

Thomas Heating Co., Racine, $9392

H. Kelly & Co., Minneapolis, 9830

Otto Biefeld & Co., Watertown, 9786

Kehr Bros., Watertown, 9265

Gen. Heating & Ventilating Co., Milwaukee, 9560

Ind. Heating & Eng. Co., Milwaukee, 9640

Downey Heating Co., Milwaukee, 9575

Healey Plumbing and Heating Co., St. Paul, 11,670 WG

11 11 BAUMANN, SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION

The Board of Education has appointed A. F. Baumann, superintendent of construction of the new high school building. The selection is a good one.

11 11 CONSTRUCTION PARTICULARS

Kewaunee Tubular boilers with Hawley Down Draft will be installed in the new high sehool building. An amendment was offered by Com. Woodard to install Kewaunee No. 118 Smokeless Fire Box boilers, which was adopted.

On motion by Com. Woodard, Kehr Brothers being the lowest bidders were awarded the contract to install two Kewaunee No. 118 Smokeless Firebox Boilers with Sturtevant apparatus in the new high school building for the sum of $9265.00, all voting in the affirmative.

On motion by Com. Woodard, the application of A. F. Baumann for the position of inspector for the new high school building was laid over until the next regular meeting of the Board.

Motion by Com. Conway to purchase Streeter’s Shale Tex brick, like samples delivered to Board, for facing of the new high school building and to be delivered F.O.B. cars to Watertown, Wis., any time when needed before April 1st, 1916 and to be paid for 30 days after delivery at $14.50 per thousand. Adopted. WG

1916

Winter of 1915-16

THE HIGH SCHOOL AS A COMMUNITY CENTER

During the last decade cities have come to look upon the provision of a place open to the public for recreation, inspiration, and education as a proper function of city government. Municipalities in the United States are now providing free public music centers, playgrounds, assembly halls, bathing beaches, museums, and libraries. The Board of Education of the city of Watertown will have in the splendid new high school building, now under process of construction, facilities for some of the various activities of present-day city life.

The new high school building is situated upon a lot [South Eighth St] which will give ample room for tennis courts, football, baseball, and other games for all who wish a play place, whether they be children or adults. The building has in it features that will promote the health, comfort, and pleasure of the citizens of Watertown. The building is provided with a splendid gymnasium, 87 feet by 59 feet, surrounded on three sides by a gallery eight feet in width. The gymnasium may be reached by a side entrance, thereby making it unnecessary to open the whole building and making it possible to use the gymnasium at a time when school is in session, without disturbing classes.

The gymnasium has a stage 21 1/2 feet by 15 1/2 feet, providing a suitable platform from which lectures, concerts, or dramatics may be presented. The room is well lighted and well ventilated. Immediately off from it are shower baths and dressing rooms for men and women. Even if equipped with only moderate equipment for general gymnastics, the room will make an excellent place in which business and professional men may exercise and relax through indulgence in games of handball, volley ball, indoor baseball, basketball, etc.

Well-equipped, modern laboratories will be a feature of the second floor of the building — laboratories in which citizens may have tests made, may have scientific problems solved. The chemistry laboratory will have equipment such that simple analyses may be made and chemical reactions tested. In physics the strength of metals, laws of physics, and use of mechanical devices may be proven. In the biology and botany room the germination of seeds may be tested and analyses of common plants may be made. The assembly room of the building will be an ideal place for evening entertainments, for lectures on civic development and on matters of general municipal interest. The assembly room is equipped with an outlet for a lantern, so that a stereopticon can be used.

The city of Watertown is expending a large sum of money for its new high school building and should plan to make the widest use of that building. It is not looked upon as good business policy to erect an expensive plant in any industry and then allow that plant to lie idle for several months of the year, for several days in every week and for over half of each day. The movement for a wider use of the school plant has been anticipated by the Board of Education in the adoption of the plan of the new high school building. The building will be a beauty spot in the city, a place of which all of us will be proud.

It should be more than that; it should be a place in constant use, a real civic center of the city. 1916 Watertown High School Orbit, pg 8.

1917 Watertown High School images

Assembly room	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_420
Assembly room	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_421
Chemistry lab	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_422
Domestic science kitchen	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_419
Gymnasium	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_418
Lower corridor	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_418
Main entrance	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_417
Manual training work shop	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_419
Physics lab	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_422
Reference library	1917 Orbit, WHS_005_420

1920

FOOTBALL CHAMPS

1921

1921 Orbit yearbook available in eBook format

1923

01 18 Death of Joseph Brandenberg, senior class WDT

1924 GYMNASIUM AND ASSEMBLY ROOM

1931

HOMECOMING GAME, Cooney vs. Watertown

THE KLUB

WHS_008_579

George Bayer, Robert Hargraves, Edward Carey, Dan Milunovich, Augustus Lehrkind, Wilbert Dierke, ?_ Behling, Norman Pautz, Martin Uttech, Mr. Joseph, William Kusel, Clarence Tessman, Gaylord Waite, Cyril Schwarze, Robert Jansky, Robert Kusel, William Beisner, Louis Nowack, Donald Snyder, Roy McGowan

The Klub is an organization of approximately twenty Juniors and Seniors. The purpose of the Klub is to create a better school spirit and to give its members a chance to discuss problems that will confront them during their school years and their later lives. The Klub meets regularly every week and when the occasion demands it, there are meetings after supper. The Klub endeavors to get men to speak to them on whatever subject they think important. Such problems as audience courtesy, national defense, choosing one’s vocation are just a few of the subjects that have been discussed.

FACULTY BASKETBALL

1931 Watertown High School Orbit

Arthur Henke, Gale Rockwell, Frank Keller, Arnold Landsverk, W. Carman Lucas, O. Harvey Krause, Jerome Herreid

Besides interscholastic and intramural basketball the Watertown High School was represented by a faculty team. They played two games against the Waupun faculty, one ending in a 22-22 tie, and in the other Waupun proved the stronger, winning 32-26. They defeated the Watertown Lion's Club 44-10, and defeated the Vocational three times in practice scrimmages. Landsverk, Henke, and Lucas were the best bets for the teachers. Some people were amused with the idea of faculty athletics, but the pedagogues showed they could play basketball as well as teach.

FIRST HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA

The cafeteria is a new department at Watertown High School. During the few weeks of its existence it has really proved itself a great asset. Those students living at such a distance that it makes it impossible for them to go home for their dinner need no longer try to stop their hunger with a candy bar and a bottle of pop or an apple, but can now enjoy regular meals at our new cafeteria. Surely the cafeteria is something for us all to be proud of and enjoy. – 1931 High School Orbit

FIRST CAFETERIA SERVICE OFFERED

After a successful season the cafeteria closed early in May. This is the first year that W. H. S. has had a cafeteria. It was also something new in Watertown.

Under the experienced hands of Miss Fischer and her helpers it flourished. It not only furnished meals at a very low cost to those students of both J. H. S. and S. H. S. who wished to eat there, but was also the scene of several banquets and other entertainments where lunch was served. The basketball banquet which included as guests the basketball team and the tournament help and the coach, took place in the cafeteria. A very delicious meal was served. Then too, during the exhibition, ice cream and cake, and sandwiches and coffee were served here.

The students who took part in the Tri-City Festival were served both dinner and supper in the cafeteria. Sundaes were served between meals. Pupils from both Cooney and Beaver Dam could not praise the cafeteria enough, as neither has one in their high school. Those who were at the last two school parties enjoyed refreshments in the cafeteria. It was the first time that this was tried and it was a great success, as both teachers and pupils enjoyed the refreshing sundaes after an hour or so of dancing.

The food was served at all times at the lowest possible price, and was not a money-making proposition.

As there are but a few weeks of school left, no one will miss the cafeteria much now, but I am sure that next year everyone will be waiting the opening of it.

The Blue and White, 06 1931, Published by the Students of Watertown High School

JUNIOR HIGH STUNT CLASS

1934

Orbit

Class of 1934 dedicated the Orbit to Miss Skinner

1936

FIRST HIGH SCHOOL FEATURED ON CENTENNIAL POSTCARD

1938

AUTO MECHANIC CLASS, possible

An adult education course, the sort of forerunner to MATC? Certainly does seem to be the old shop room on the lower level of the old high school. They had windows like these facing 9th St. and it is believed they also had a sort of garage door that would have allowed the entrance of a car.

1939

1939 graduating class pictured in novel arrangement WDT

1940

06 08 The honor students of the Watertown high school senior class are Karl Sonnemann, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Sonnemann, 809 Division Street; Miss Elinor Eberle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Eberle, North Washington Street; Miss Verona Minning, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Minning, North First Street; Miss Mary Jane Byington, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn R. Byington, 213 South First Street and Miss Margaret Reichardt, daughter of Col. and Mrs. Walter F. Reichardt, 1326 Thomas Avenue.

Class of 1940, held 50th reunion in 1990.

1941

1941 Orbit released. Dedicated to J. H. Herreid, popular member of the faculty.

c.1941

Prom Court (?), circa 1930s-40s

1942

07 16 Watertown High School Girl Wins High Scholastic Honor

1944

Freshman class

WAR ACTIVITIES OF PATRIOTIC STUDENTS

Click on to enlarge. 1944 Watertown High School Orbit

1945 or 46

High School Marching Band, 400 block of E Main St.

1946

1946 ORBIT WILL RETURN TO HUMOR

Lighter theme is chosen this year with war at end

With much of the seriousness of the war a thing of the past, the 1946 Orbit staff has decided on a humorous theme for its annual. This year’s theme will be “The Circus.” The circus theme fits into the activities of the high school student, and the staff feels it will prove to make this year’s high school annual especially interesting. The theme, as usual, will be carried out in the introductory pages to all the sections. The art work of this year’s Orbit is being done by the senior high art classes under the direction of Miss Elsie Hotvedt, art supervisor in the public schools.

The organizations will be portrayed in the annual by action pictures characteristic of the particular club. For instance, the Future Farmers of America will have a picture of the boys testing soil. The Girls’ club will be seen folding Christmas stamps to be sent to residents of Watertown. A picture of students working in the library represents the work done by members of the Library Service club.

The staff has decided to have the major activities of each club presented which should prove more interesting than the usual procedure of group pictures of members of the club. WDT

1949

PROM QUEEN

1940s

1950s

Civics or Government Class or Society

1952

First Watertown High School senior class to have a post-prom party at the Watertown Elks Lodge.

1953

“Our Senior Year”

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM

1954

CENTENNIAL PARAGE: HIGH SCHOOL BAND

Fall HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR BAND

Walt Stamstad, director

1956

05 27 The Times is able today, for the first time, to reveal some of the details of the new unit which will serve the Watertown Junior High School, the Watertown Senior High School and the Watertown Vocational and Adult School. Not only will there be a new unit to the north of the present school, but by the time the work is completed on remodeling and rearranging the present school building that structure will hardly be recognizable. So many are the changes that are involved in the general overall plans. The new unit will be two stories high and its exterior will conform pretty generally with the present building, though it will be such that it can be readily set off as a “new school. A gymnasium-auditorium will be located in the new unit. It will seat 3,000 persons, have a large stage and a partial balcony. There will be a spacious lobby in the new unit, with the main lobby entrance at South Ninth and Dodge Streets. WDT

08 23 The lawns around the Watertown High School building, especially on the west side of the building, fronting on South Eighth Street, are in for some rough usage soon. School authorities are faced with the necessity of placing the large number of bicycle racks elsewhere than in the customary places north of the present building, now that that area is to be the scene of building activities in connection with the new high school addition project. According to school authorities they plan to place the racks on the lawns west of the present building and the many students who ride bicycles to and from school will utilize that area for the purpose, once the new term gets underway and building activities make the relocation of the racks necessary. WDT

1957

Watertown High School Orbit dedicated to Joseph Davies

Basketball, Squad A

1958

GRADUATION CEREMONY

< link to set of 9 images

1960

05 24 1960 ORBIT

The 1960 edition of The Orbit, senior class publication of Watertown High School, is out. This year the book, the 48th issue, is dedicated to the Watertown Community — for providing a new high school building, a rich curriculum and a limitless opportunity for education. This year, for the first time, the edition carries a photo of the city council and the city manager. There also is a photo of the board of education, a beautiful view of the new high school addition at night, views of the building’s interior, in addition to many other pictures of school activities and groups. The book this year is as handsome and attractive as any in the long line of Orbits that have come off the press since the first one was published 48 years ago. WDT

06 02 MISS KATHRYN SKINNER

If anyone ever sits down and writes a history of the Watertown Public School system and enumerates some of the outstanding teachers who have served this community the name of Miss Kathryn Skinner most assuredly deserves to be included in any such list. Miss Skinner is ending her school work here, having retired this week with the close of the 1959-60 school year. She has been a teacher of mathematics in the Watertown High School. Aside from that, her great interest in school work, in students and in helping turn out first rate future citizens of the community, have been a tremendous influence for good. WDT

1961

10 year class reunion, class of ’61.

15 year class reunion, class of ’61.

20 year class reunion, class of ’61.

1962

12 19 The board of education last night approved a resolution which is the first step for a referendum next April to let the people decide whether they want a four and one-half room addition to the present high school building. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 7 to one, with commissioner Lee Block casting the only vote in opposition, but later in the meeting he asked permission to change his vote and make adoption unanimous. The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Joseph Rhodes and was strongly supported by Commissioner Edward Hinterberg. WDT

1963

01 13 Norman L. Larson, Superintendent of Schools. Watertown’s new superintendent of schools, Norman L. Larson, is due to move to Watertown tomorrow and take over his duties at the high school next Monday. Mr. Larson, who has been serving in a similar capacity at Markesan, accepted the Watertown position last Oct. 14, following the resignation of Eugene W. Tornow who now holds a position with the University of Wisconsin. WDT

04 13 The plan for a four and one-half classroom addition to Watertown High School, originally proposed by the board of education last year as a means of solving the immediate growing space needs at the school will be revived shortly, it was indicated today. This development came as a result of the recent rejection by the voters in the April 2 election of two alternate plans — one calling for a new junior high school of a seventh and eighth grade, and the other calling for a new junior high school of a seventh, eighth and ninth grade. WDT

04 18 Assistant Superintendent position created; Russell Twesme principal. The board of education last night created a new position, that of assistant superintendent of schools, and then named the principal of the high school, Russell Twesme, to the post starting July 1 at no increase over his present salary. The promotion is still subject to Mr. Twesme's acceptance. The vote to establish the new position was approved 6 to 1, with O. L. Wesemann casting the lone dissenting vote. He said he did it because he thought the matter should be delayed until next year. WDT

04 19 As expected, the board of education last night revived the plan for a four and one-half room addition to the Watertown High School and at the same time adopted a resolution calling for utilization of the Watertown Airport as the site for a new high school building, either junior or senior, as a long range plan for solving the growing space problem at high school. Both proposals will go to the common council at an early date. WDT

04 23 The junior prom of the Watertown High School will be held this spring in the high school gymnasium. “Souir Paree” is the theme of this year’s prom. The grand march will start at 10 o’clock and will be followed by the presentation of the king and queen and their court of honor. Reigning as king and queen will be Richard Claas and Connie Wegner. Members of the court of honor are: Frank James, Jeanne Mueller, Lee Ebert, Mary Theder, Kieren Lordahl, Kathy Schmutzler, Sharon Pike Alan Peters, Joan Wolf, James Schwartz, Neil Gamroth and Cynthia Yahn. WDT

05 04 The largest graduating class in the history of Watertown High School is due to bow at the school's 90th annual commencement exercises on Wednesday evening, June 5, at which time the speaker will be William C. Kahl, first assistant superintendent Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Madison. As of now, a class of 245 seniors is scheduled to graduate. Last year's class numbered 204. WDT

06 06 Last night’s graduating seniors at Watertown High School presented a check to provide shrubbery at the high school grounds as their class gift in departing from the school. It was a record class, with 236 diplomas being issued. Presentation of the class gift was made by Susan Krueger, the class treasurer and was accepted by Principal Russell Twesme. He lauded the class for its decision in selecting a gift. WDT

08 05 LUTOVSKY FARM

The common council at its meeting tonight is scheduled to act on a resolution calling for an appraisal of the Charles Lutovsky farm in the Boughton-Hall Streets area which has been proposed as a site for a future Watertown High School, either senior or junior under a long-range school expansion plan. The appraisal is the first step in the plan to acquire the property, a move viewed favorably by the city administration, according to general discussion held at last night’s council committee meeting. Mayor Robert P. White reported that the asking price for the farm, reportedly consisting of 37.5 acres, is $60,000. WDT

09 04 Negotiations to acquire the Charles Lutovsky farm property as a site for a future high school, either junior or senior, were authorized by a common council resolution adopted last night by unanimous vote of 13 aldermen present at the council meeting. Mr. Lutovsky offered the property for school purposes some months ago and the site has been unanimously approved by action of the board of education. Under terms of the resolution approved last night, Mayor Robert R White is delegated to carry on the negotiations. Mr. Lutovsky has asked for $60,000 as the price. Two independent appraisals made for the city have placed a fair price value of about $54,000 on the property, the mayor said last night. WDT

09 19 Russell Twesme, who is assistant superintendent of schools in Watertown, last night was appointed acting superintendent as of Sept. 16 and as such was authorized to co-sign the activity account checks and carry out all other duties inherent in the position. The appointment was approved by unanimous vote of the board of education which also set an additional $150 per month in salary during the time he will serve. WDT

10 01 Homecoming festivities of the Watertown High School this weekend will include skits to be presented in the gym Friday afternoon, the parade at 5 p.m. Friday with the lineup including floats, the homecoming court and the football players, the game between Watertown and Mayville and the homecoming dance Saturday evening. Members of the court of honor are Marilyn Riedl and Robert Schmutzler, homecoming king and queen; Gayle Piper, Linda Bauman, Rita Schmidt, Susan Miller, Joel Toman, Regess Krueger, Richard Erdman and James Finley. WDT

1964

02 10 1964 GRADUATION

Watertown High School this year will graduate the largest class in the history of the school. The commencement exercises are to be held on Wednesday evening, June 3 in the high school gymnasium. There are 251 seniors in the class at the present time. Even with last minute “flunking out,” the class will still be the largest to date. The largest previous class in the history of the school was that of 1963 when 236 seniors received their diplomas. In 1962 there were 204 graduates and in 1961 there were 228. WDT

04 03 LUTOVSKY FARM

The Charles Lutovsky farm, consisting of slightly less than 38 acres, which the board of education had recommended to the common council last September for purchase as a site for a future school, has been sold to private out of town interests which plan a development. H. M. Dakin of the law firm of Dakin and Dierker, confirmed the report and told the Times that the preliminary papers have been signed and that $65,000 is the sale price. WDT

05 15 FIVE-ROOM ADDITION

The Watertown Board of Education has received the support of the City Planning Commission in its plans calling for the construction of a five-room addition to the present high school building as a means of solving the immediate space needs at the school. The planning commission will recommend to the common council Tuesday night that the school board be allowed to construct the addition. WDT

07 05 LAND ACQUISITION FOR PROPOSED NEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The City Planning Commission has taken no action on the matter of putting its approval on or making a recommendation regarding acquisition of the Lutovsky farm site for the proposed new junior high school. Also involved in the site is additional acreage which would be secured from Dr. E. Allen Miller and the Oak Hill Cemetery Association. An announcement made today stated that the planning commission members had discussed the proposals but it had been decided to lay it over “for the purposes of obtaining financial information.” At the last joint session held by the board of education with the common council and the township chairmen who help make up the Watertown Public School District, a resolution was adopted instructing the proper city authorities to negotiate for the site with Charles Lutovsky, Dr. Miller and cemetery association officials.

10 30 LUTOVSKY FARM

A conference on how best to speed up consideration of acquiring the Charles Lutovsky farm as a site for the proposed new junior high school was held at the municipal building this morning. It was attended by city officials and representatives of the board of education and others. One of the portions of land under consideration is the Charles Lutovsky farm and also property in the vicinity which is owned by Dr. E. Allen Miller and also a piece of land owned by the Oak Hill Cemetery Association. WDT

11 03 SALE OF OLD REC BUILDING

The common council at its meeting last night took three important — but not unexpected — steps. It voted to sell the old city hall to the most suitable bidder and to advance plans for the sale of the old recreation building site in Main Street. The council also approved a resolution calling to proceed with negotiations for the purchase of the Charles Lutovsky farm as part of the site for the proposed new junior high school at a price not to exceed $65,000. WDT

1965

01 29 JUNIOR HIGH, RATHER THAN SENIOR, PROPOSED

The reasons for the Watertown Board of Education’s decision to propose the erection of a junior high school, rather than a senior high school, the plans for a four and one-half room addition at the high school, and the problem of a site for the proposed junior high school were discussed by Norman Larson, superintendent of schools, at Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club, held at the Legion Green Bowl. Erection of a junior high school will be less costly than the construction of the senior high school, he told the club. And with an elementary school also planned for the site, he said, it is best that elementary students are not in the same area with senior high school students. WDT

01 30 LUTOVSKY FARM PURCHASED

After nearly two years of debate and argument the common council last night voted 10 to 3 to authorize the purchase of the Lutovsky farm — now owned by Behrndt, Perkins and Knodl of Milwaukee — along with the Dr. E. Allen Miller property and a piece of land owned by the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, representing in all between 44 and 45 acres as a site for the new Watertown Junior High School. WDT

03 28 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Eighteen Watertown High School juniors and nine seniors were initiated into the Watertown Chapter of the National Honor Society before an audience of teachers, parents and students. Initiates are: Seniors — Carol Cayan, Cheryl Ertl, Andrea Hahn, Robert Hutson, Steve Luchsinger, Charles Mundt, Steve Reckner, Donnella Schlegel and John Wiley. Juniors - Kathleen Allsage, Suzanne Becker, Christine Beltz, Diane Bloedom, Peter Burke, Jan Christensen, Joseph Ertl, Margie Kelm, David Kron, Rose Marie Langer, John Maas, Judy Miller, Susan Miller, Ronald Neumann, Georgia Prahl, Patricia Trachte, Linda Utrech and JoAnne Wildes.

03 30 FIVE ROOM ADDITION

Basic bids for the new five room addition to Watertown High School total $90,880, according to figures announced this morning following the opening of bids at a meeting of the board of education last evening. The low bidder on the general contract is Wisconsin Products Co. of Mauston. Its figure was $68,900. WDT

04 18 CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Work on construction of the five-room addition to Watertown High School to help relieve the growing space problem is due to begin next week. A meeting of the contractors is to be held here on Friday at which time plans for the work schedule and preliminary construction plans will be outlined. Approval of the addition and the financing of it was the final official act of the old common council members who served on the fiscal body for the Watertown Public School District when the plan was approved 17 to 2. WDT

05 09 JUNIOR PROM

The 1965 junior prom of the Watertown High School, the top social event of the year, was staged Friday evening in the gymnasium of the high school. Decorations for the party carried out the theme “Tales from the Vienna Woods.” John Coughlin and Nancy Volant were the royal couple. In their court of honor were Marjorie Miller, John Neis, Susan Miller, John Shier, Michelle Foley, Joe Ertl, JoAnn Wildes, Ron Neumann, Georgia Prahl, Robert Raether, Sharon DiTorrice and John Dickinson. WDT

Labelled “1965 prom” but likely mistaken

05 21 NEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, sketches and plans

Preliminary work on the sketches and plans for the new junior high school here is underway. The Madison architectural firm of Law, Law, Potter & Nystrom is in charge of the work and will submit its preliminary sketches within a short time. Members of the board of education will be called into session to view them and discuss general plans as soon as a date is set. The common council has already purchased the greater portion of the new school site — the former Charles Lutovsky farm in Hall Street, and the other parcels of land, one from the Oak Hill Cemetery Association and another from Dr. E. Allen Miller are still to be acted on. WDT

05 23 NEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, formal approval of

The board of education at its meeting last night gave formal approval to the preliminary plans for the proposed new junior high school when it adopted a resolution accepting the plans prepared by the architectural firm of Law, Law, Potter and Nystrom of Madison. Last night’s resolution also instructed the architects to proceed with the necessary working plans for the school. The plans for the new school provide for 110,000 square feet of space and accommodations for from 1,000 to 1,100 students. WDT

05 29 1965 ORBIT: RICHARD CONLEY

Richard B. Conley, English and Latin teacher, today has the distinction of being honored with the dedication of the 1965 edition of “The Orbit,” the senior class publication of Watertown High School. The dedication to Mr. Conley, published under a page-size photograph of him, reads” “For his ceaseless interest in the welfare of each of his students, for the extras that he gives to his job as English and Latin teacher, for his efforts to give us new and rewarding experiences, and for all the qualities which are most important for an understanding relationship between teacher and student; we dedicate the 1965 Orbit to Richard B Conley.” WDT

06 11 92nd ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT; CLASS OF 1915 HONORED

Watertown High School last night held its 92nd annual commencement exercises, graduating the largest class in its history — a total of 298 seniors. The outpouring of parents, friends and others for the program also set a near record. During the opening part of the program recognition was extended members of the class of 1915 who were present following the golden jubilee reunion and dinner which members attended earlier in the evening. Donovan L. Richards, the high school principal who made the introductory remarks opening the program, made mention of the golden jubilee reunion and asked members of the class to stand, a special section having been reserved for them. There were 39 members in the class of 1915 who received diplomas just a half century ago. WDT

09 09 ADDITION UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The addition now under construction at the Watertown High School is due to be completed and ready for occupancy within the next few weeks. This project was scheduled to have been ready for occupancy before school started, but delays in delivery of materials and work of contractors has caused the need for temporary teaching accommodations to be provided in other parts of the building, it was pointed out today. The new addition, referred to as five rooms, consists of one large double room, two classrooms separated by a folding door, plus one additional classroom. The building addition also includes a large food storage room for the cafeteria kitchen and locker facilities for 110 students. WDT

09 23 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The following seniors of Watertown High School have been selected by the faculty as members of the Watertown High School Chapter of the National Honor Society: Robert Brandenstein, Ross Damrow, John Dickinson, Michele Foley, Diane Mueller, Catherine Schmeling, Mary Schultz, Peggy Schwartz, Judith Semon and Shari Vinger. WDT

addition also includes a large food storage room for the cafeteria kitchen and locker facilities for 110 students. WDT

10 14 HOMECOMING 1965

Wayne Le Macher and Shirley Sterwalt will reign as king and queen of the homecoming activities of Watertown High School. The parade will be held Friday at 4:30 p.m. The homecoming game with Mayville is scheduled Friday evening. The dance will be held Saturday evening in the high school gymnasium. Members of the court of honor are: Richard Kuckkan and Chris Beltz, Tom Moore and Lynn Snyder, Peter Burke and Susan Miller, William Clark and Bernadine Hoeft, Richard Witte and Sally Theder, James Beaver and Gayle Gorder. WDT

1966

01 07 DEMOLITION COMPLETED / New Riverside Junior High School

Demolition of Watertown’s old high school building at North Eighth and Main Streets, later a federal armory and still later utilized as a recreation center has finally been completed. The work of tearing down the old building was begun last June 9 after a Milwaukee group of developers — Berndt, Perkins & Knodl, acquired the property from the city for $35,000 as part of the deal whereby the city secured the old Charles Lutovsky farm which constitutes the major portion of the site for Watertown’s new Riverside Junior High School in Hall Street. The Milwaukee developers plant to construct a motel and related facilities on the former recreation site. Under the agreement, the site is to be utilized by construction of a complex costing no less than $250,000 and to begin “construction of the improvement within 61 days after final approval by the common council and planning commission or within 61 days after the structure on the premises at present is demolished, whichever is later.” WDT

03 16 GRABOW AND McQUOID RETIRE

The Watertown High School athletic coaches, both veteran in their fields, announced their retirement from major sports Wednesday night. Coach Harris Grabow, basketball coach at the school for 19 years, will drop the coaching reins in favor of Eli Crogan, and Coach Weir McQuoid, grid coach for six seasons here and for 19 years overall, has given up football coaching but will continue as wrestling coach where his teams here won 30 straight dual matches. No football successor has been named. WDT

05 09 RIVERSIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PLANS APPROVED

Voters of the Watertown Public School District in yesterday’s special election rallied to the support of the board of education in its plans for a $2,465,000 Riverside Junior High School in Hall Street. The vote was almost 2 to 1 in favor of the referendum No. 1, which the school board had proposed. The final count was 1,791 for and 944 against. The referendum carried every ward in the city and in the ten townships it lost only the town of Emmet and the town of Lebanon. In the city the vote was 1,521 for and 687 against. In the townships the vote was 270 for and 257 against. WDT

06 11 RIVERSIDE JUNIOR HIGH: GROUND BREAKING CEREMONIES

Ground breaking ceremonies were held at 9 a.m. today for the new Riverside Junior High School to be erected in Hall Street. The new school, a $2,465,000 project, was approved by the voters of the Watertown Public School District by a 2 to 1 vote on May 11. At today’s ceremonies were Joseph Rhodes, school board member, Edward Hinterberg, board president, James Potter of Law, Law, Potter and Nystrom, Madison, the architects, Russell Twesme, school superintendent, John Verg, school buildings and grounds superintendent, Delwin Hintzmann, board member, Al Maas of Maas Bros. Construction Co., Watertown, the general contractors, George Wolff and Lee Block, board members, John Findlay of the architectural firm, and Orville Wesemann, board member. WDT

12 21 REPAIR WORK AFTER FIRE

Repair work, along with reconditioning and replacing the fire damaged equipment and furnishings in the Watertown High School auditorium, will require at least a period until May or June, it was concluded at yesterday's survey made by the Maas Bros. Construction Co., school administrators and representatives of stage equipment and seating concerns. Structural damage will require extensive repairs and just how much repair work will be needed to restore heating and ventilating ducts is still unknown. However, the damage appears to be more extensive than visible signs indicated at first, Russell Twesme, superintendent of schools, said. WDT

1967

01 18 MISS MARGARET OTT Retires

1960 photo

The retirement of Miss Margaret Ott, veteran teacher of German at Watertown High School, takes from the school system another longtime and dedicated school teacher. Effective Jan. 20. Miss Ott has chalked up an almost enviable record as an instructor and faculty member and the hundreds and hundreds of boys and girls who studied in her classes and came under her influence can look back with pride on her work. Miss Ott's father, the late Dr. John Ott who spent so many years as instructor of English and librarian at Northwestern College, was one of the state's outstanding educators and among the city's leading residents whose influence on and off the college campus is still felt today. WDT

01 31 FUNDING DRIVE FOR ANNUAL POST-PROM PARTIES

Plans now are being formulated for a finance drive to provide needed funds for Watertown’s annual post-prom parties. The annual post-prom parties started in 1952 but now have become an institution in Watertown. The parties were established in order to provide a place to go following the close of the prom at the high school. While the Elks Lodge sponsors the parties, handles all the arrangements and furnishes the manpower for each party, the money required is provided by business firms, professional people, industrial concerns and others. Approximately $700 is required for each party.

02 24 REPAIR WORK AFTER FIRE

Work has begun at Watertown High School to repair the damage caused by the fire which swept much of the school auditorium last Dec. 13, Russell Twesme, superintendent of schools, told the Times this morning. The work is being done by the Maas Bros. Construction Co. of Watertown which is also the holder of the general contract for the new Riverside Junior High School now under construction. Mr. Twesme said that no date has been fixed for the completion of the repairs in the auditorium but that school officials hope it will be ready by the end of May. No events are being scheduled in the auditorium for the balance of the current school year.

04 28 JUNIOR PROM

Outstanding decorations carried out the theme of the junior prom of the Watertown High School held Friday evening in the gymnasium. Murals portrayed the tales of the 1001 Arabian Nights. There was a colorful market place in the lobby featuring booths with wares and a mosque with the hallway leading to the gym. Huge camels idled near striped tents. Three-dimensional murals depicted a mystical Arabian city. Highlight of the room was the grand march when King Mike Groehler and his queen, Sheila Imming and their court of honor were introduced. In the royal court were: Carol Sweeney, Dean Strauss, Colleen McFarland, Jack Stallman, Karen Christians, Dick Chandler, Sandy Schmutzler, Steve Grabow, Kathy Drachenberg, Rick Schuett, Val Hintzmann and John Hrobsky. Junior attendants were Stanley Chandler, Jean Sweeney and Madonna Imming.

05 15 1967 ORBIT

The 1967 edition of The Orbit is out. It is a handsome, rich looking publication. This edition is dedicated to Miss Betsy Blazek, girls’ physical education director and cheerleader director. The dedication is brief and simple, stating: We gratefully dedicate The Orbit of 1967 to Miss Blazek.” . . . It then quotes these words from the writings of Sir James Matthew Barrie: “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

05 17 JEROME HARRIS HERREID SCIENCE AWARD

A new student honor will be presented during the Scholastic Awards Day program at Watertown High School on May 24 in memory of Jerome Harris Herreid who served on the faculty from 1930 to 1966. The award will be known as the Jerome Harris Herreid Science Award and will consist of a plaque in the center of which appears a satin bronze etching of the former teacher. Surrounding the etching are smaller plates on which the names of the recipients will be inscribed. Since the memorial will be presented as an annual award, it will be kept on display in the high school. Each recipient will also receive a personal gold medal that may be worn on a tie-chain or necklace. A sum of money will also accompany this personal award.

08 31 STANDARD PHY ED UNIFORM FOR BOYS

The Watertown Senior High School has adopted a standard uniform for boys in physical education. The girls have had a standard uniform for several years. The uniform will be required according to the following timetable: Seniors: Optional. Sophomores and Juniors: required by the end of the first semester. The uniform chosen will last a student several years depending on use and care. Labeling space is provided to insure identification. The uniform also has a reversible top for team games. Uniforms are available at Fischers and Kerns.

09 27 CLASS GIFT

Trophy Case is Gift of Graduating Class / 94th Annual Commencement

A trophy case, of special design and which is to be constructed and installed at the Watertown High School, is the 1967 class gift to the school, it was announced during the 94th annual commencement exercises held in the high school gymnasium. The gift was announced by the treasurer of the graduating class, Carol Mann, on behalf of the seniors who graduated. The program was presided over by the class president, John Hrobsky who welcomed the audience. The evening opened with a half hour concert by the high school orchestra directed by Willard Buchholtz. There was no commencement speaker. Instead, there were student speakers, including Judith Nowack, James Frater, and Michael Bausch. Two Foreign Exchange students who graduated with the class and who will be returning to their homelands shortly after spending the past school year here, also spoke . They are Ermyas Admassu of Ethiopia and Luis Mattioli. of Argentina. Delwin Hintzmann, president of the board of education presented the diplomas. The high school mixed chorus sang the traditional “The Halls of Ivy” and “Alma Mater” was sung by the class. Donovan Richards, high school principal, and Superintendent Russell Twesme also took part in the program. WDT

1968

01 23 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Nineteen members of the Watertown High School junior class have been selected for membership in the Watertown Chapter of the National Honor Society. The selection of candidates is based on four areas: scholarship, character, leadership in ability, and services performed in school and the community. Candidates are selected by a faculty committee. The students are: Leslyn Amthor, Annette Archambeau, Gerald Beltz, Tim Block, Davis Bothe, Robert Byrne, James Christian, Glenn Herold, James Kehrer, Robert Kopplin, Kirk Krempel, Sydney McQuoid, Janice Paradies, Fred Pontzloff, Ruth Richter, Steve Schaefer, Patricia Tessmann, Amy Thies, Robert Weisensel.

03 01 DEDICATION DELAYED

Formal dedication of the new Riverside Junior High School, which is now nearing completion, will not take place until next fall. Work on the building was delayed several times during construction due to strikes and shortages caused by strikes in other parts of the country but the work is now nearing completion and the building is now due to be ready for occupancy during the Easter recess in April and not by April 1 as was first indicated. Even after occupancy some work will remain but this will not substantially interfere with the school’s operation.

04 09 1968 JUNIOR PROM

“Land of the Rising Sun” is the theme of the 1968 Junior Prom of Watertown High School. Reigning over the festivities will be Davis Bothe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Bothe, 1301 South Third Street, and Linda Wilkes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Verne Wilkes, 908 Lyndell Street. The prom will be held on April 25, beginning at 9 p.m., in the high school gymnasium, with the grand march at 10 p.m. The public is cordially invited to view the prom. Doors will open at 8:20 p.m. for the spectators and Merlin Braasch’s Orchestra will provide music from 9 p.m. until midnight.

05 17 56th EDITION OF THE ORBIT

The 56th edition must be classed as among the most handsome annuals issued since the first edition came off the presses 56 years ago. The cover is simple and attractive and the entire book boasts a sturdiness that makes evident its fine quality. This year’s book, covering 144 pages, is dedicated to no particular individual as was the case in the past. This edition is dedicated to the “Citizens of Watertown.”

10 10 HOMECOMING

Lester J. Herro and Karen LeMacher will reign as king and queen of the homecoming festivities of Watertown High School this weekend. Members of their court of honor are Gary Christenson and Linda Niay, Dan Weber and Tina Tesch, Roy Krubsack and Sally Feld, Bob Busler and Mary Fischer. The king and queen will be crowned Saturday evening at the homecoming dance. Les Palmer and his band will play for the dance, which will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight in the senior high school gymnasium. Tickets will be available at the door for $1.50 each.

10 20 LANDSVERK FIELD

Arnold (Rosie) Landsverk, who died here on the evening of July 5, was one of the most popular and beloved athletic coaches in the long history of sports at Watertown High School and when the new Riverside Junior High School is dedicated Sunday afternoon the new athletic field which is located on the grounds will also be dedicated to his memory and in tribute to him as a man and as a coach. The new field was named in his honor, “Landsverk Field,” by action of the board of education of the Watertown Unified School District in tribute to the coach who contributed so greatly to athletics and the physical education program at Watertown High School.

10 23 DEDICATION OF NEW JUNIOR HIGH

Robert Van Raalte, assistant superintendent of the State Department of Public Instruction, said he was much impressed with the new junior high school here. In his talk at the dedication of Riverside Junior High School on Sunday afternoon, he called attention to the very fine junior high school erected in Watertown. He extended congratulations to both the Board of Education and to the community for putting up so fine a building. Yesterday afternoon’s dedication program was well attended. During the Open House a large number of persons visited the various areas of the school, and all were impressed with the triangular classrooms, one of the features of the new building.

1969

MIXED CHORUS

1975

01 26 ELEANOR GRIFFITH, 1902-1975

Miss Eleanor Griffith, 72, of 102 Tivoli Drive, a former Watertown Senior High School teacher, passed away Sunday evening at the Watertown Memorial Hospital following a lingering illness. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock with the Rev. Robert Tully officiating. The body of Miss Griffith has been donated to medical science. Memorials may be given to the church missions of the First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Cancer Fund. The Schmutzler Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Miss Griffith was born in Columbus September 15, 1902

Miss Griffith was a graduate of Ripon College and did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin, University of California, Northwestern University in Illinois, Colorado State University, Indiana University, Arizona State University and New York University. She taught mathematics at the senior high school from 1925 until her retirement in 1967. She had been the Girls’ Club advisor since 1944 and also served as the junior class advisor. Miss Griffith was an excellent and truly dedicated teacher. She was interested in all phases of extra-curricular activities at the high school. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, served on the church board for a number of years, and was currently a member of the diaconate.

1977

09 27 The 1977 Homecoming will be held during the week of Oct. 10 through 15 at Watertown High School. This year Homecoming has been re-organized to promote more participation by students, alumni, and the community. An evaluation of the 1976 Homecoming was conducted last year by a committee of students and teachers who produced a set of guidelines by which this year’s Homecoming will be conducted. The Homecoming Committee for 1977 consists of Anne-Marie Condon, student council president; Vicki Joyce, student council vice president; Lauri Bush, senior class president; Carey Bergdoll and Kim Veldhuizen, junior class representatives; Dennis Nicoski, sophomore class representative; and Jim Bauman, representing the student body-at-large. This committee has worked for weeks to produce the 1977-78 Homecoming Handbook which contains all of the rules and regulations, entry blanks, judging criteria, and due dates for all activities to be conducted during Homecoming Week. WDT

1978

06 09 Diplomas were awarded to 328 graduating seniors at Watertown Senior High School commencement exercises Saturday afternoon. Most students said they were hot and nervous as the temperature rose into the 80s before the program. One student asked if hair pins would hold the mortarboard securely so it wouldn’t fall off. But the nerves were controlled and the temperatures endured as graduates and spectators listened to the commencement address by George Walter, professor emeritus at Lawrence University. WDT

1985

07 15 A new chemistry lab to meet the needs of expanding enrollments in that subject was approved by the board of education of the Watertown Unified School District. The new lab will be constructed in room 332 of the high school and will cost $18,965. In addition, there will be costs for minor remodeling as well as some electrical and plumbing work. Total cost of the project is estimated at $26,695. The lab will handle up to 24 students and is designed to be moved to a new location or a new building in the future. The lab is being purchased from School Interiors, Inc., of Milwaukee. WDT

09 07 “The Dawn of a New Day” is the theme for this year’s Watertown Senior High School yearbook to be distributed starting today. The theme combines maximum coverage of school activities with a new layout style in the opening section. The publication contains 152 pages with seven full-color pages. Color section includes homecoming, the musical “Oliver,” student life and full-color page of the school. There are also sections on Snow Week, the spring play, prom, sports and clubs. The new layout style features candid school scenes in the junior, sophomore and faculty picture sections, and also within the index at the end of the book. Individual cameo photos of seniors are pictured on a black background. Two pages are covered with senior signatures. WDT

10 11 A high school facility in Watertown should have about 321,000 square feet of space, more than double what the current high school has, according to a “Suggested Final Space Program” which will be discussed by the board of education of the Watertown Unified School District Wednesday evening. Members of the board of education have received the proposed space allocation study and its results will be discussed briefly by Dr. Richard Stolsmark, superintendent of schools, at the meeting Wednesday. T hese space needs are being proposed for the three options being considered by the board to improve the high school facilities. Those options are complete renovation of the existing high school, changing the junior high school to a high school and construction of a new facility. WDT

1987

04 16 GYMNASIUM FLOOR

Costs to repair, resand and repaint the gymnasium floor at Watertown Senior High School are components of the maintenance segment of the proposed 1987-88 school budget. The operations and maintenance budgets of the Watertown Unified School District were presented to the board of education Wednesday night. The two budget segments were presented by Dennis Mudler, business manager, and Bruce Saniter, supervisor of buildings and grounds. Mudler said wooden boards beneath the two main baskets in the high school gymnasium have become so worn that when they are stepped upon, the opposite ends of the boards actually become elevated. WDT

1988

03 08 Michael Ptacek is the new principal of Watertown Senior High School. He had served as acting principal since the resignation of Charles W. Dill in February. Ptacek was previously the assistant principal of the high school since June of 1983, when he was named to succeed JoAnn Truss. WDT

05 01 The top 10 students in the class of 1988 of Watertown Senior High School have been announced by Michael Ptacek, principal. The top students are selected on the basis of academic achievements and grade point average for their high school years. The top 10, in alphabetical order, are Matthew Arpin, Andrew Crawford, Abbigail Endres, Michael Krolnik, Robert Lemke, Loren Mach, Michelle Mueller, Tracey Nickels, Sue Ullrich and Jennifer Welbourne. WDT

05 09 About 375 students danced to the music of Interface at Watertown High School’s junior prom Saturday night, according to chaperone Diane Schmidt. The theme of this year’s dance was “Stairway to Heaven,” the classic hit by Led Zeppelin. Post prom activities were highlighted with a performance by Tohjah, a band from southern Illinois. The dance went smoothly, Schmidt said, adding that the students “were very cooperative. We had a very good showing.” Steve Andrews and Alisa Harris reigned as prom king and queen. The court included Brian Raguse and Rachel Quest, Cheng Yang and Amy Scheiber, Todd Schumann and Jan Neubauer, John Fischer and Valeri Lampman, and Chris Buescher and Jenny Kwapil. Crown bearers were Matt Scheiber and Tera Rowoldt. WDT

06 08 CLASS OF 1988

On a sun-drenched morning at Riverside Park, 252 seniors from Watertown Senior High School received their diplomas Saturday, graduates who hoped their futures would be as bright as the cloud-free sky. Students were in a celebratory mood as they reflected upon the culmination of their high school days. Beach balls bounced from graduate to graduate, occasionally straying onto the stage. Enthusiastic cheers greeted the announcement of the more popular students and even air horns were sounded. “The school is proud of you, not because you graduated, but because you are winners,” said W. Charles Dill during his welcoming speech. Dill recently resigned as high school principal to accept a similar position at Johnsburg High School in McHenry, Ill.. WDT

1989

01 20 BEST SITE IS HWY 109, NORTH OF HWY16 BYPASS

The city’s plan commission heard reasons from Watertown school officials why the proposed school site is the best currently available. Dr. Richard Stolsmark, superintendent of schools for the Watertown Unified School District, told commission members that the proposed site, one of seven reviewed by school officials, seemed to be the best location available when the district purchased the former Stangler farm. “We thought it was as good as we could do — we were aware the bypass was there, but we feel that’s a problem that can be solved,” Stolsmark said. The proposed location of the school, planned at state Highway 109 just north of the Highway 16 bypass, has become an issue for the district’s referendum election on Feb. 21. Voters will be asked to approve bonding for $16 million to finance the construction of a new high school.

02 08 VIOLATION OF BUILDING CODES

Watertown Senior High School was one of 437 old schools in the state that were inspected and found to be in violation of some current state building codes. The study was conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (DILHR). Watertown Senior High School, more than 70 percent of which was built in 1917, was among those listed as having some violations related to fire safety. The DILHR report listed three violations at Watertown Senior High School: (1) The facility lacks automatic door-closing devices in its stairwells; (2) The facility lacks smoke detection devices in its basement; and (3) The facility lacks proper exit lighting.

02 10 SMITH FARM OPTION. The Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce Promotive Corporation has entered into an option to purchase the 300-acre Warren Smith farm, and offer about one-third of it for sale to the Watertown Unified School District as a site for the new Watertown Senior High School. The land is located in the northwest section of the city and its western property line is the eastern property line of soon-to-be developed Quarry Park, a 174-acre park which is owned by the city. The farm is located west of North Church Street, north of Elm Street and east of Carriage Hill Drive and the Mary Knoll Subdivision. The board of education of the Watertown Unified School District supports the acquisition and has made the site its prime location for the new high school which is the subject of a referendum on Feb. 21. This site will eliminate opposition expressed by some that the Robert Stangler farm, purchased by the school district in 1985 as the high school site, was a dangerous location because of the need to cross the Highway 16 bypass to gain access.

02 12 MAYOR IS KISSED. Two weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that Mayor David R. Lenz and Richard Stolsmark, superintendent of schools for the Watertown Unified School District, would find common ground on the location for a new high school. But a voters' forum Thursday night, not only were both men sitting next to each other, smiling and in agreement on the latest proposed site, but Stolsmark even kissed the mayor on the top of his head at the conclusion of the meeting. The night's final question jokingly suggested that Stolsmark had promised to kiss the mayor if the city worked out a deal on a new site. The superintendent of schools obliged the audience of about 50 people with a peck on the mayor's head.

03 19 INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT — TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

As Watertown High School moves to the 1990s its Industrial Arts Department — now referred to as Technology Education — needs to modernize its facilities and enlarge its curriculum. That was the opinion of the department’s teaching staff as they presented school board members with plans for updating technology education at the high school. “The bottom line is we need to prepare a better student,” said machining instructor Bruce Magnuson. “This program needs to be dynamic. Presently I have no academic facility at all to work in. It’s basically a shop and I struggle with that every day.”

04 22 SMITH FARM OPTION REJECTED. The Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce Promotive Corporation has decided not to exercise its option to purchase the Warren Smith farm, a move that seriously jeopardizes that site as a potential new high school location. City Attorney Robert A. Bender, a member of the promotive corporation, said the board decided Wednesday that the asking price for the land, about $5,000 an acre, was too much. “We elected not to pursue the option. We had some difficulty in reaching agreement with Mr. Smith,” Bender said.

05 16 “TIME IN A BOTTLE” was the theme of the 1989 Watertown Senior High School prom Saturday when students danced the night away to tunes from the top 40 hits at the high school gymnasium. The king and queen, Pam Da Walt and Steve Meyers, were crowned by the 1979 king and queen, Kevin Conley and Jean Sweeney Kohlhoff. In keeping with the theme for the evening, couples traveled through a “time tunnel” for the grand march and walked over a large clock on the floor. Silhouettes from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s decorated the walls. Couples enjoyed dancing to music provided by a band called “Toys.”

1990

05 07 “ALMOST PARADISE”

For more than 200 students, Saturday night was “Almost Paradise.” That was the theme of the Watertown High School junior class prom held at the high school. There were about 246 individuals attending the prom activities at the high school, according to organizer Kathy Wagner. The final count was down about 70 students, she noted. Wagner said the prom committee had anticipated about 350 students because of the expansion of the ninth grade at the high school. “We expected the attendance to be up,” she said. Wagner thought maybe the cost deterred several students from attending.

06 02 CLASS OF 1990

Despite strong gusty winds and the persistent threat of rain, Watertown High school’s class of 1990 successfully graduated 244 seniors during outdoor commencement exercises Saturday morning at Riverside Park. Under ominous gray skies, the students were greeted by class secretary Amy Endres, who introduced this year’s class song, “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart. The graduates then heard from a number of their fellow classmates, including student council president Jennifer Hanson, class treasurer Jim Beranek, foreign exchange student Frede Lei, Erin Boyd and Brooke Nustad representing the top 10 students and Chris Brom, senior class representative. WDT

09 24 HOMECOMING THEME: “THE JUNGLE”

Homecoming activities are in full swing at Watertown Senior High School this week, according to organizers of the event. The 1990-91 Watertown Senior High School Student Council is making a special plea to alumni of the school to participate in the activities during the weekend. This year’s theme is “The Jungle.” Alumni are welcome to support the Gosling football team when it takes on the West Bend West Spartans Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Washington Park. King Tony Meyers and Queen Jenny Wilson and other members of the homecoming court will be introduced at halftime. The high school band and cheerleaders will also entertain at halftime. WDT

12 11 CHOICE BETWEEN STANGLER AND SMITH SITES

There is a good chance Watertown voters will be deciding where to build a new high school before they actually decide whether or not they want to build the school itself. Members of the Watertown School Board’s site committee have decided to propose an advisory referendum in April providing citizens with a choice between the Stangler and Smith sites for a future high school facility. The entire board will vote on the committee’s recommendation at their regular monthly meeting Wednesday in the Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge St. That meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. The school board purchased the 108-acre Stangler farm in the fall of 1985 for $2,500 per acre. Since that time, questions have been raised pertaining to the safety of its location for a high school. City residents would have to cross the Highway 16 bypass to reach the site, located near Watertown Memorial Hospital on the city’s far northeast side. The Smith farm is located on the city’s northwest side and was not for sale in 1985. Since that time negotiations between the owners and the school board have taken place and a sale agreement is believed to be possible. WDT

1991

02 16 STANGLER AND SMITH SITES FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL

By approving a referendum in April on a choice between the Stangler and Smith sites for a new high school, the Watertown Board of Education Wednesday evening effectively rejected a fourth potential site. The fourth site first came up for discussions when the site committee met Monday. That group reviewed the Stangler, Smith and Darcey sites as well as a new proposal for the Endres farm. The Darcey site is located along Boulder Road (old County Trunk Highway M), and the Endres site is located on West Road in the town of Watertown. Ed Kileen appeared before that committee to offer that 78 acre parcel of land at a cost of $390,000 which is $5,000 an acre.

04 29 POST PROM PARTY SALVAGED

The post prom party, which has been a tradition after Watertown High School proms for almost 40 years, was salvaged this week after nearly becoming extinct. Kathleen Wagner, a guidance counselor at the high school, said a group of students came forward with suggestions that may keep the party alive for years to come. Declining attendance at the party for the past several years left the status of this year’s party in doubt. Wagner said several student groups were approached for ideas that might make the party more popular. “We tried to get a feel for what they really wanted,” she said. “We wanted students to get involved in planning the party and getting the attendance back up.” When the student groups failed to respond to administration inquiries, the 39-year-old tradition was in danger of fading away. WDT

05 11 1991 JUNIOR PROM

About 110 couples attended the 1991 junior prom at Watertown High School Saturday. The theme for the prom, held in the school gymnasium, was “Hold On to the Night.” Students danced to the music of Johnny Law. Queen Dana Richter and King Dominic Alvarez reigned over the festivities. Selected in voting by the junior class in March, they were announced during the grand march. Other members of the court were Crist Harris and Kelly Brusenbach, Jason Wesemann and Tammie Nass, Joel Herbst and Stacy Schneider, Brenda Behlke and Brad Thompson, Kate Hornickle and Elliot Clark, and Keye Bruske and John Ehlinger. WDT

06 14 GRADUATES ARE LIKE BUBBLES

Students in the Watertown High School 1991 graduating class are like bubbles, each is different, some drift far away, while others stay close to home. That was how Watertown High School senior class representative Andrew Mullen described the future to his fellow classmates at commencement ceremonies Saturday morning at Riverside Park. Under a bright, cloudless sky, Mullen demonstrated his concept by blowing bubbles into the air. He explained how the container is the high school and the liquid is the graduates leaving school. "Each is different, each goes a different way," he noted. He also expressed the need to live for the present and not the past. "The present is all that exists," he said. WDT

07 02 KATHY WAGNER NEW PRINCIPAL

Kathy Wagner, assistant principal for Watertown Senior High School, will become the new principal on Aug. 1, according to Dr. Suzanne Hotter, superintendent. Wagner was offered the position Monday evening following an executive session of the board and accepted the contract on Tuesday. The board is expected to formally approve the contract at a meeting on Aug. 24. Wagner succeeds Michael Ptacek who accepted a principalship in a Minneapolis suburb. WDT

08 24 1991 WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ORBIT

The 1991 Watertown High School Orbit will be distributed in the Dodge Street lobby from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. The theme of this year’s yearbook is “Showcase,” a tribute to the talents and abilities of students who make the high school their showcases. The 189-page book has a silver and blue cover with embossed lettering and red accent color. The red accent color is picked up in the opening section of the book and the blue is used as a background color in the senior color section. Endsheet artwork on the inside of the front cover depicts a blue stage curtain opening. A closed stage curtain is depicted on the inside of the back cover. Theme sections in the yearbook include “For All to See,” which highlights special events during the school year, “Spectacular Performance,” which chronicles Gosling sports, “Exhibits of Interest,” which displays the photographs of students, faculty and administration, and “On Display,” in which students are quoted on their views of the high school, music and what constitutes “style.” WDT

1992

05 06 1992 HIGH SCHOOL PROM

As hundreds of people looked into a mystical medieval world Saturday night, juniors Stacey Mathews and John Daniels felt the magic of being crowned queen and king of the prom. The prom drew 135 couples, Principal Kathy Wagner said. The number was up from last year’s attendance of 110 couples. “That’s a good turnout,” she said. “I’m pleased with it. For a couple of years I was concerned about lowering attendance but now it looks good.” The prom, hosted by the class of 1993, took on the aura of its theme — medieval magic. A castle which reached to the ceiling of the Watertown High School gymnasium and murals of trees took those in attendance to Sherwood Forest. WDT

05 30 GROUNDBREAKING FOR $20 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL

A milestone in the construction of the $20 million high school is planned for the last weekend in May. Ground breaking for the 300,000 square foot school will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Fremont and Elm streets on the northwest side of Watertown. The high school is located near Quarry Park, a 168-acre parcel under development by the city of Watertown. Shared outdoor facilities for environmental studies, physical education stations and athletics are part of the arrangements in the design of the two facilities. WDT

06 01 START OF CONSTRUCTION OF $20 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL

The official start of construction for a $20 million high school was marked Sunday afternoon as honorary guests turned over the first clumps of ground at the site. About 50 people gathered on a grassy hill at the Smith farm for a short ceremony marking a new phase of the school building project. Casually sitting in lawn chairs and leaning against cars, the onlookers came to witness the site one more time before it is transformed into a four-wing, 300,000-square-foot community center. “As we turn the first shovel of dirt this afternoon, we are about to start construction of the biggest project our community has ever undertaken,” school board President Glenn Schwoch told the onlookers. “We cannot predict the future but this building project is concrete evidence . . . that the people of Watertown want to be prepared for that future.” WDT

06 06 1992 GRADUATION

With a feeling of uncertainty and a prominent sense of urgency, Watertown High School graduates took the stage at Riverside Park Saturday to receive diplomas. The sun shone through the clouds just before the 241 anxious young adults began receiving their diplomas in front of a sea of instamatic cameras held by beaming relatives and friends. Thousands of onlookers crowded the park to catch a glimpse of the ceremony and more than 100 kindergartners were bused in to witness the ceremony in order to remind everyone of how fast time passes. During the traditional commencement exercises, which lasted about an hour, student speakers thanked their parents and teachers for helping them through the years. Student speakers remarked about the challenges ahead and what it will take to succeed when the economic forecast seems dismal at best. WDT

07 27 COMBAT TRUANCY

Administrators at Watertown High School will be prepared to combat truancy with their toughest policy yet when doors open this fall. Beginning this fall, students will only be permitted two unexcused absences that are not made up in detention, Principal Kathy Wagner said. Previously, students were allowed four such absences before losing credits in a course. A minimum attendance requirement of 85 percent will also be dropped under the new policy. Instead, students will earn credit based solely upon the completion of course requirements with a passing grade. WDT

11 16 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Despite losing four weeks to wet weather, construction on the Watertown High School is speeding along, the site manager said this week. Bill Heraly of Miron Construction, the construction management company, said the academic wing of the building is quickly taking shape. The second floor on the wing is being put in place and all signs indicate that portion of the building will be enclosed by the end of December, he said. Precipitation has been a looming problem to construction workers, Heraly said, as thick mud on site sometimes makes operating equipment impossible. Rain today put masonry work on hold but crews installing pre-cast plank were on site, he said. He expected masonry crews to be back on site Monday regardless of the weather. “We’re really used to the mud by now,” he said with a laugh. “It’s something we had to learn to live with.” WDT

12 05 AIR CONDITIONING AND GREENHOUSE BIDS

A $2 million contract for heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the new Watertown High School was awarded Wednesday evening. The contract includes air conditioning for the entire school. The board of education for the Watertown Unified School District accepted the low bid of $2,701,500 from Kilgust Mechanical of Madison. In addition to total air conditioning, the contract includes a small greenhouse. Original plans called for air conditioning of only the core areas of the facility. “We received very competitive bids on the rebid and that’s what we were looking for,” said site manager William Heraly of Miron Construction. The project was rebid and redesigned after the district received few proposals during the main phase of bidding, all of which were over budget. WDT

1993

06 06 APPLIED SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The Watertown Unified School District has exceeded the $83,000 needed to ensure the construction of an applied science and mathematics technology center. Almost $113,820 has been earmarked toward the project through grants, said Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Hotter. Besides grants, money spent by the district on mathematics or science technology was applied to the $83,000 goal. Hotter said members of the Jeffris Family Foundation of Janesville were “very supportive” when she met with them last week. The foundation has granted the district $116,000 to construct the unique facility in the new high school on the condition that the community and school district each contribute $83,000 toward equipment in the center. The community reached the goal in March. WDT

07 16 MODEL FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED LEARNING

Almost half a million dollars has been awarded to Watertown High School to designate it as a model for technology-based learning, the governor said this morning. Watertown High School is one of five state schools selected for the Governor’s Wisconsin/Ameritech 1993-94 K-12 SuperSchool Initiative. The grant gives a boost to the new high school’s planned applied math and science technology center, which was spurred by a $116,000 grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation of Janesville. The school district and community raised matching funds of $83,000 each.

07 16 ANOTHER TECHNOLOGY GRANT

Watertown High School will add another technology grant to its already long list through a $520,000 on-line telecommunication network. The school is one of 50 Midwestern schools chosen to participate in a $2.6 million, two-year Ameritech communications network pilot program. In Wisconsin, the “Ameritech Learning Village” will be created by directing $520,000 each to Watertown and nine other schools. A representative of Ameritech will brief the school board about the proposal at a meeting tonight. The board will determine whether to participate in the pilot project.

1994

08 28 POLICE LIAISON at High School

A workshop about a police liaison at Watertown High School will be held by the board of education and the Watertown Police Department Thursday evening. Sgt. Mark Meddaugh of the Watertown Police Department will conduct the discussion during a board meeting at the Educational Service Center. The board of education earlier this summer had requested information about the possibility of having a police officer work as a liaison at the school. Police Chief Charles McGee has indicated an interest in developing ways to work with the school district in juvenile issues. Several area districts have a police liaison program, where an officer works closely with the high school but is not stationed in the building. WDT

1995

09 28 GRADUATION ’96

Will be held in the gymnasium at Watertown High School. Several concerns about holding the ceremony at its traditional site, Riverside Park, led to the decision, said Principal Kathy Wagner. School board member Denise Barker and student board member Jessie Groose urged that seniors be allowed input into the decision. Last year, seniors were allowed to vote on where to hold the ceremony. They selected the park.

“Students should have a big part in that decision,” Groose said. Wagner listed several concerns of the ceremony at Riveside Park, including difficulty for older and handicapped residents in parking and getting to the site. The sound system is better in the gymnasium and it will be comfortable no matter what the weather is. She noted that it costs $2,000 in overtime to set up the park on the morning of graduation, something that could be avoided by setting the gymnasium up ahead of time.

1997

12 15 FORMER HIGH ON S. EIGHTH PURCHASED

Finding good uses for an old building was one of the reasons for purchasing the old Watertown High School facility, said Bill Ehlinger, one of the owners of the Watertown Athletic Club. “We are in the process of taking over the whole project,” he said, noting that developer Peter Hanson will no longer be one of the owners as of Jan. 10. After Jan. 10, the entire old high school facility will be the property of the Watertown Athletic Club owned by local residents Ehlinger, Bill O’Brien, Bob Long and Dan Rullman. The Watertown school district sold the old high school last January to Hanson, a resident of Oconomowoc, and the Watertown Athletic Club for the sum of $226,000. Hanson had at the time wanted to convert the older portion of the former school into apartments but later decided not to continue with that plan.

1998 PEACE GARDEN

08 30 What began as a nondescript bus turnaround on a miniature model of Watertown High School more than five years ago [c.1993] is now a blooming example of what students and a devoted teacher can do when they set their minds to it. That bus turnaround, once an island of grass surrounded by parking lots and sidewalk, is today a sea of color in the form of a peace garden. WDT

2000

01 09 High School Demolition -

06 09 CLASS OF 2000 / Matt Teuteberg Memorial

A mass of Gosling blue filled Watertown High School gymnasium Saturday morning as 311 students graduated as the class of 2000. The day’s festivities began in the Peace Garden as students gathered with mixed emotions. Sara Cahoon and Eric Hamme dedicated a bench in the garden in memory of former classmate Matt Teuteberg, who died in an automobile accident in late March. “Today is not just a celebration for us,” said Cahoon. “We have all experienced many great times together, but we have also had to deal with many heartaches.” WDT

08 18 HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER APPROVED

Renovation plans for the Health & Wellness Center of Watertown were approved by the site plan review committee Wednesday. Plans include a playground and parking lot to replace the original red brick school at the south side of the two-city block complex at 415 S. Eighth St. Razing of that portion of the former high school was completed this month. The playground and parking lot, along with renovations to the building, should be done Oct. 1, said Dr. William Ehlinger, center president. Other projects will be done in the future. The center has removed asbestos from the building and remodeled parts of it. It plans to install lighting for the 65-space parking lot and complete other improvements. WDT

2003

04 23 “Glitz and Glamour, Spend a Night in Hollywood,” is the theme of the 2003 junior prom. Grand march and coronation of king and queen will be held at 10 p.m. The traditional post prom will be hosted at the Elks Lodge and will be open from midnight until 3 a.m. Entertainment to be offered includes pool, casino type gambling, music and loads of free food. A large number of door prizes will also be available. WDT

05 17 The Watertown High School class of 2003 will honor its valedictorian and salutatorian at the graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. in the High School gymnasium. Valedictorian is Kevin Burleson, son of Polk and Elizabeth Burleson. He has achieved a 4.000 grade point average in his high school career. Salutatorian is Brielle Hulick, daughter of David and Cindy Hulick. She has a 3.992 grade point average. Both have been on the high honor roll, received academic letters and are members of the National Honor Society. WDT

08 03 The sound of children still filters through the hallways and rooms on South Eighth Street at the former Watertown High School building . In what is now the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC), which houses 10 nonprofit agencies and one for profit business, youngsters can exhaust their energy in HAWC Fitness’ new Kidz Gym. The Kidz Gym opened in early spring and is filled with a variety of fun-filled activities for children age and younger. The gym features activities and equipment such as scooters, hippity hops, ball pit, large rainbow colored balls, basketballs and basketball hoop, hula hoops and a foam balance beam. The gym is located in the balcony of the old high school gym. There is an island in the center containing padding for the children and hard floor around the padding for children to use scooters, etc. Sara Jappinen, youth and family programs coordinator at HAWC Fitness, said, children love to explore the gym to see what activities are available. WDT

10 03 The 2003 Watertown High School Carolers have been selected. The Carolers will be available for performances in the Watertown area throughout December. The group sings about 20 minutes of holiday music dressed in traditional caroling costumes. Members of this year’s group include: sopranos Brianna Duffy, Marissa Floyd, Karen Kneer, Molly McFarland, Rachel Niemann and Sara Woodard; tenors Josh Cochrane, Nick Herold, Alex Mackyol, Zack Miller and Ryan Moldenhauer; altos Megan Heiden, Mandy McVeigh, Beth Miller, Molly Pfister, Kelly Sina and Gina Symkowski; basses Ben Allen, Tim Anderson-Hereth, Noah Ash, Jodie Hall, Zack Stueber, Justin Wagner and Geoff Wood. WDT

11 04 HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER FUNDRAISER

The gym of the former Watertown High School will be transformed into a nostalgic homecoming dance Saturday to raise money for the Health and Wellness Center that now occupies the building. The event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Vintage dress is optional, but a prize will be given for the most authentic homecoming look. WDT

2004

05 12 CLASS VALEDICTORIANS

Seven Watertown High School seniors will share the honor of class valedictorian at the annual commencement ceremonies June 12 in Watertown High School gymnasium. The seven, all of which will finish their high school careers with perfect 4.0 grade point averages, are Brianna Duffy, Marissa Floyd, Jordan Goetzke, Kendra Gurnee, Janelle Hoffman, Mary Beth Holden and Nicole Miller. Duffy is the daughter of Kristopher and Janice Duffy, Floyd is the daughter of Duane and Jackie Floyd, Goetzke is the son of Dale and Janis Goetzke, Gurnee is the daughter of Brian and Cathleen Gurnee, Hoffman is the daughter of Gerald and Arlene Hoffman, Holden is the daughter of Dr. Rick and Ellen Holden, and Miller is the daughter of Doug and Kathy Miller. WDT

06 14 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

The senior class of 2004 filed into the high school gymnasium one last time Saturday morning for Watertown High School’s commencement exercises. Hundreds of proud family members and friends were on hand for the event. Molly Pfister and Kelly Sina, student council representatives, welcomed the nearly 300-member senior class and guests with a humorous list of pros and cons of graduating from high school. They said in two months students will wish they were eating a gourmet meal in the high school cafeteria rather than living off of food cooked in a dorm room. Pfister and Sina reminded students sharing a bathroom with family members won’t seem as bad once they’ve experienced sharing one with 20 other people. Although students thought their lockers were small, it won’t be compared to the jail-size dorm room they’ll be living in this fall. WDT

2005

04 16 SHOW CHOIR SPECTACULAR

After two years of creating characters, a plot, songs, dance moves and lyrics the locally written musical, “Career Day,” will make its debut Friday night. “As seniors come closer to the end of their high school career they find themselves thinking about their next step in life and what they should become,” David Zimmermann, director of the performance, said. “That’s what the musical is about. It hits close to home for many of the students in the performance because they’re going through the same thing as the characters.” The musical will be part of the Show Choir Spectacular and will be presented by the Watertown High School Rhapsody in Blue Show Choir at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The Girl’s Show Choir and Men In Blue will also be presenting musical performances at the event. WDT

05 06 2005 PROM

Watertown High School juniors Ben Zautner and Autumn Dettmann took a stroll by the bubbling water fountain, near the park benches, next to the Statue of Liberty decorations and onto the dance floor in the high school commons Saturday night after being crowned king and queen of prom. Prom court was chosen by the junior class through a ballot vote. Couples were put together by the number of votes each person received and the two who received the most votes were crowned king and queen. The rest of the prom court included Tony Roche and Kimmie Albertin, Brandon Gilbertson and Jeanette Muth, Scott Kohlhoff and Katherine DePover, Mark Sina and Kaylee Zastrow, Mike Gates and Brittany Braasch, and Patrick Nichols and Jenny Krueger. The miniature king and queen were Matthew Engel, son of Paul and Patsy Engel, and Abigail Vinz, daughter of Scott and Connie Vinz. WDT

05 16 PROJECT LEAD THE WAY

The Watertown High School is the first of about 70 schools in the state to receive its official certification in Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering program, taught by Bryan Kind. Project Lead the Way was implemented this year at the high school through a $ 100,000 grant the district received from the Kern Family Foundation. John Farrow, director of the program for the state and professor at Milwaukee School of Engineering, visited the school Monday morning to give the class the official banner of certification. Three weeks earlier Farrow and a number of Project Lead the Way founders from New York observed the class for certification. WDT

06 26 CLASS OF 1950; 55th REUNION

Watertown High School juniors Ben Zautner and Autumn Dettmann took a stroll by the bubbling water fountain, near the park benches, next to the Statue of Liberty decorations and onto the dance floor in the high school commons Saturday night after being crowned king and queen of prom. Prom court was chosen by the junior class through a ballot vote. Couples were put together by the number of votes each person received and the two who received the most votes were crowned king and queen. The rest of the prom court included Tony Roche and Kimmie Albertin, Brandon Gilbertson and Jeanette Muth, Scott Kohlhoff and Katherine DePover, Mark Sina and Kaylee Zastrow, Mike Gates and Brittany Braasch, and Patrick Nichols and Jenny Krueger. The miniature king and queen were Matthew Engel, son of Paul and Patsy Engel, and Abigail Vinz, daughter of Scott and Connie Vinz. WDT

09 02 2005 ORBIT

A number of Watertown High School students were able to pick up their 2005 Orbit Wednesday night at a high school open house. Other students will receive their yearbook Tuesday from 3:05-5 p.m. in the commons. The black cover titled with silver printing reading, “Never Before ... Never Again,” is embossed with a Watertown Unified School District seal. The inside front and back pages picture a double spread of the graduated class of 2005 on the school bleachers. WDT

12 30 NEW BAND INSTRUMENTS

Watertown High School band students will be using newer instruments this year after the district’s board of education approved purchasing $89,972.50 in replacements during Thursday night’s regular meeting. “This has been long overdue,” Superintendent Dr. Doug Keiser said. “Many of the instruments used now were purchased in the era of the 1950s and are falling apart. The music department has really worked hard to make them last.” Instruments to be purchased include oboes, tubas, trombones, horns, saxes, cymbals, xylophones, cellos, drum sets and others. The board approved a four-year equipment lease with option to purchase instruments with low bids from Interstate Music at $57,746.50, Ward-Brodt Music Co. at $5,430, White House of Music at $26,025, and Taylor Music at $771. WDT

2006

02 02 THE BLUE ZONE

What was once a closet and storage space has been turned into “The Blue Zone,” the Watertown High School store. The student run store sells sweatshirts, hats, beads and other Watertown Gosling apparel. “It’s really been quite the project,” marketing teacher and adviser Rhonda Nachtigall said. “The marketing class has been working on this since September. It’s just amazing what they’ve been able to accomplish by turning this closet into a store.” The marketing and business students spent last semester working with vendors, creating displays, pricing, cleaning and working with school administrators to create the store name. The students also surveyed students, staff, parents and business members in the community to learn what products interest people. WDT

08 20 NEW FITNESS CENTER

The Watertown Unified School District will be the fiscal agent for the construction of a new fitness center at the high school. Project leaders hope to break ground next week. “At this time we have over $360,000 pledged for the project with a goal of $450,000,” Jon Moldenhauer, of the Optimist and Booster clubs, said. “We’re in a position to break ground in a timely manner for the students and before the winter weather starts.” Moldenhauer said the clubs have collected at this time almost $200,000 with pledges due in the upcoming months. Three local banks have agreed to finance the project to help start construction. WDT

2007

05 04 JUNIOR PROM

The bright lights and cameras of “Hollywood” shined on Watertown High School Saturday night while juniors Kai Ludwig and Emily Merritt were crowned king and queen and hundreds of students wore their finest to the annual event. About 475 students spent Saturday dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight in the high school commons area which was decorated around the theme, “A Night on the Red Carpet.” High school parents checked coats, served drinks and assisted with valet parking for students who attended the event. Many arrived and departed in limos that lined up in front of the high school. Students entered the school, checked their coats and walked down a red paper carpet and onto the “Walk of Fame.” Juniors sold peel and stick stars for the “Walk of Fame” for $1 last week allowing students to write their names on the stars and find them the night of the dance. Other decorations included giant paper Oscars, a water fountain, movie cameras and paper cut-outs of stars such as Marilyn Monroe. WDT

05 17 GRADUATION CLASS

The top 10 students for the Watertown High School graduating class of 2007 have been announced by Principal Scott Bostwick. The valedictorian of the class this year is Jesse Koehler and the class salutatorian is Jacqueline Krubsack. Others in the academic top 10 list are: Samantha Christian, Kallie Henze, Lyndsey Rein, Tim Schilling, Rachel Zeman, Alec Bakke, Ryan Moldenhauer and Kelly McGorey.

08 30 2006-07 ORBIT

Watertown High School students will be able to pick up the school yearbook from 4:30 to 7 p.m. today during the open house in the commons area. The gray cover shows a picture of the entrance to the high school and reads, “Guess you had to be there.” The inside front and back pages picture a double spread of the graduated class of 2007 on the school bleachers. The class of 2007 seniors are pictured again individually in color with a light blue background in the center of the book. Black and white pictures of freshmen, sophomores and juniors are also included in the Orbit volume 94. WDT

2008

05 03 JUNIOR PROM

Hundreds of students dressed in their finest danced around paper dragons, bamboo shoots and oriental decorative fans at Watertown High School’s annual prom Saturday. Juniors Des Smith and Kailey-Jo Krueger were crowned king and queen of the annual event . About 435 students spent Saturday dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight in the high school commons area which was decorated around the theme “Shanghai Moon.” High school parents checked coats, served drinks and assisted with valet parking for students who attended the event.

2012

CLASS OF 2012 VIDEO DEDICATION

YouTube video

2013

STUDENT BODY VIDEO PRODUCTION

03 10 Video includes over 50 clubs and sports, over 1100 students.

SCOTT MANTEI NEW HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

05 15

2015

04 28 MOCK PROM CRASH SCENARIO, Watertown High School

07 14 SCOTT MANTEI RESIGNS AS PRINCIPAL

Watertown High will start the 2015-16 school year with a new principal. Scott Mantei has resigned to take a job as principal of Grafton High School.

GRADUATION, Class of 2015

Image Portfolio

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