TJHS / TJJR History

Table of Contents

September 1949

Thomas Jefferson Junior High Official Opening

Renovations + Additions

Additions / Repairs

Photo from the Statesman (1993)

What Happened?

Pictures

2013 Building Survey Pictures

September 1949

Jefferson Township wanted to build a high school like building. This building would pave the way schooling is done for the district. Voting for this building was overturned two weeks later. But that did not stop the idea of a Junior High for 7th and 8th grade.

Thomas Jefferson Junior High Official Opening

Recorded from The Daily News on November 28, 1953.

Thomas Jefferson Junior High had its opening ceremony with the Superintendent of Allegheny County Schools, Dr Alfred W. Beattie. The School had 18 Classrooms, a Gym, a Cafeteria, Home Economics, and an Industrial Arts Shop.

Architect Joseph Hoover designed the school.

Renovations + Additions

1956: Additions to Thomas Jefferson Junior High To make it Thomas Jefferson High School Grades 8-12

Added Auditorium || 24 Classrooms added || 13 Special Rooms || New Gym

Total Cost of Addition 1.1 Million

The addition was completed on September 3rd 1957 and did not have a graduating class until 1960. The Graduating Class of 1960 wrote the Alma Mater, named our Mascot and got to pick the color of the hallways. This vote lead to a Wintergreen Color which was with the building until demolition in 2024.

Designed by Joseph Hoover, the addition plans for the high school in 1956. Joeseph Hoover is well known for the Design of the original Pittsburgh International Airport.

Additions / Repairs

July 1st. 1989 - A fire broke out in the boiler room of the high school around 8:10pm. The fire was only noticed by one man jogging on the track. This brought damage to the Junior high side of the building and did not affect the school year.

1991 - With needed plans of a district-wide renovation, the High school would get a massive overall of the supplies and technology. These additions included a new Aux Gym, replacing the old Cafeteria, a new Cafeteria, a new library above the new cafeteria, a new main entrance, Labs for the science rooms, and lastly, filling in the first floor of the court yard to make a computer lab and new band room.