The many faces of Eureka High School
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Indigenous Peoples of Humboldt County
Indigenous Peoples of Humboldt County
For many centuries prior to European settlement, Humboldt County was home to many indigenous peoples, including the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, and Tolowa tribes.
The area that we know as Eureka is also called Jaroujiji (Wiyot), do'-wi-lotl-ding (Hupa), and uuth (Karuk). The Wiyot people resided in Jaroujiji, which means "where you sit and rest." The Wiyot tribe is known for their fishing and basketry. They established camps along waterways, hunted wild game, and harvested berries, acorns, and pine nuts from the bountiful land.
European Conquest and Settlement
European Conquest and Settlement
After gold was discovered in California in 1848, European and American settlers looked West in an effort to conquer lands and riches. Spanish explorers and Russian fur hunters visited the area prior to 1848, but none settled.
Josiah Gregg and his expedition crew ventured West from Trinity County in 1849 to find a route from mountains to sea; they were on the hunt for the precise location of what we know as Humboldt Bay. The "discovery" of the Bay resulted in the founding of Eureka (meaning "I have found it") on May 13, 1850. The settlement was founded by the Union and Mendocino Exploring (development) Companies. Settlement in Eureka led to the displacement and genocide of many local Native American communities.
Humboldt Bay in the Industrial Era, 1850-1900
Humboldt Bay in the Industrial Era, 1850-1900
The Gold Rush ignited settlement, but the abundance of timber in Humboldt County is what led to the growth of towns and businesses. The timber industry took off rapidly, and technology, such as John Dolbeer's steam donkey, was developed to keep up with the booming industry. By the 1850s, multiple lumber mills operated and shipped goods out of Humboldt Bay. The demand for lumber encouraged the development of railways and ship building.
Settlers in Humboldt County recognized the opportunity for commercial fishing, including fish, crab, and oysters. Whaling was also a successful industry, especially during the Industrial Revolution era when whale oil was used for oil lamps. Farming and ranching grew in popularity, as the cool climate lent itself to abundant crops and successful livestock.
The Foundation of Eureka High School
The Foundation of Eureka High School
Prior to the foundation of a local high school, multiple schools and academies operated out of Eureka to provide higher education to young adults: a private Catholic Men's College, St. Joseph's College (1869), St. Joseph's Academy for Young Ladies (1872), Young Men's Evening School (1872), the Humboldt County Young Ladies' Seminary (mid-1870s), and Professor N. S. Phelps' Eureka Academy and Business College (1886). Eureka Academy burnt down in 1893, creating a need for a new public educational institution.
Eureka High School was established in 1896, and classes were held in the Winship - a large 3 story Victorian schoolhouse that was built in 1889 (see below). The first enrolled group was made up of 107 students in 3 classrooms. The Winship building hosted grades K-12 until 1900, when other school buildings were developed.
The first graduating class held their commencement ceremony at the Ingomar Theater (in the Carson Block Building) on May 19, 1899. Their graduation certificates were presented by Principal George B. Albee (the namesake of Albee Stadium).
Newspaper clipping from the San Francisco Call - May 19, 1899
The graduating class of 1899 (above); Ingomar Theater (below)
The façade of the new Eureka High School, constructed 1914-1915
A view of Eureka High School from the rear, seen between 1922 and 1923
Eureka High School Moves to J Street
Eureka High School Moves to J Street
As enrollment grew, the city of Eureka voted on funding to establish a new high school building. The bond measure finally passed in June 1913 (after a few years of trying!), with the rallying efforts of students encouraging the community to vote. The school was designed by San Francisco architect W. H. Weeks, who worked on many schools and commercial buildings throughout the state. Construction took place from 1914-1915, and thus the new school was built! This building stood in the location of the current science building.
Aerial views from Sequoia yearbooks provide a glimpse of the campus buildings over the years.
On September 4, 1962, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit Eureka, and the 47 year old high school building was damaged. Unfortunately, the damages were so extensive that the building was condemned and ultimately torn down. Rumor has it that when the building was first hit with the wrecking ball, it didn't budge at all! A similar school built by W. H. Weeks still stands in Santa Cruz today.
"Twenty Years of High School"
"Twenty Years of High School"
The excerpt below is from the Sequoia yearbook in 1915. This article written by Howard Baker details the history of Eureka High School from the 1895 election to the construction of the new high school building on J Street. The building is described in immense detail, including the classes offered and where they were located.
1915 Sequoia Excerpt New School Building.pdf"The History of the Eureka High School"
"The History of the Eureka High School"
The excerpt below is from the Sequoia yearbook in 1926. This history describes not only the history of the school, but also the various sports, social clubs, classes, theater performances, and school leadership (administrative and student body). The final page discusses the development of the Junior High School and the creation of Albee Stadium.
1926 History Of EHS.pdfJunior High Schools in Eureka
Junior High Schools in Eureka
The population of Eureka continued to grow, creating the need for a junior high school. Once more, students and community members rallied to establish a new school, even going so far as to throw a parade on March 7, 1924. The development of a junior high was approved, and construction began next door to the high school, on the corner of Del Norte and J Street. The building was constructed in 1925 and formally dedicated in September 1926. The freshmen departed high school to attend the junior high with 7th and 8th graders - and the "senior" high school hosted only sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Once the "baby boomers" reached junior high age, student enrollment was on the rise again and necessitated the construction of another junior high school. The George C. Jacobs Junior High School was built across town on Allard Avenue (near the current Alice Birney Elementary school site). Jacobs Junior High operated from 1956-1982, and the site was used for other alternative education purposes from 1982-2009. The building fell into disarray and was demolished in early 2021.
The original Eureka Junior High School still stands, serving as the current "main building" for Eureka High School.
A conceptual drawing of the new Eureka Junior High School
The newly finished Eureka Junior High School - "The Pride of Eureka"
The Final Move: On the Corner of J & Del Norte
The Final Move: On the Corner of J & Del Norte
After a destructive earthquake, Eureka High School migrated next door into the Junior High School at the start of the 1962-1963 school year.
The old building was demolished that same year. The photos of the move and the demolition are captured in dropdown features below (from the 1963 Sequoia yearbook).
Pictured on the left: Eureka Senior High School, 1967
Moving Next Door
Moving Next Door
Click to view the images from the 1963 Sequoia
The Demolition
The Demolition
Click to view the images from the 1963 Sequoia
EHS Grows Throughout the Years...
EHS Grows Throughout the Years...
Albee Stadium opened during the 1925-1926 school year, and was named after former principal, George Albee (see right).
The approximate dates of construction for the following buildings on campus were provided in the 2002 Bond Measure Quick Facts for Eureka City Schools.
Industrial Arts (AKA "Manual Arts," "IT Building") - 1939
Band/Music Building - 1939
Jay Willard Gymnasium (original) - 1948
Agriculture (old building on Del Norte) - 1951
Science - 1964
Auto Shop - 1964
Cafeteria - 1975
Recent construction and new buildings:
NEW Agriculture Science & Mechanics - Spring 2021
NEW Jay Willard Gymnasium - opened Fall 2023
Science - Renovations underway!
George Albee - former principal and superintendent - the namesake of Albee Stadium.
The construction of the original Jay Willard Gymnasium, pictured in the 1949 Sequoia Yearbook
Gallery
Gallery
A little Logger doodle from the 1950s
The information on this page was compiled and written by teacher librarian, Savannah Polizzi. Mrs. Polizzi earned her history degree from Cal Poly Humboldt University, and she has a soft spot for local history.
References
References
Eureka High School Sequoia Yearbooks were used to gather the majority of information and photos.
Other resources:
Humboldt County Historical Society https://www.humboldthistory.org/a-brief-history
Wiyot Tribe https://www.wiyot.us/ and https://www.wiyot.us/148/Cultural#:~:text=In%20the%20early%201900s%2C%20a,as%20the%20%22Old%20Reservation.%22
Clarke Museum https://www.clarkemuseum.org/humboldt-history.html
"The First One Hundred Years 1895-1995" by Barbara Canepa Saul - Featured in the Sequoia Centennial Yearbook, 1996
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