HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL, APRIL, 1953

Classes began in the new high school in mid-April of 1953.  This South College Street entrance is still used in 2002.  The taller portion  at the rear of the building was the original first floor of West Ward School.  The library occupied the south half of the West Ward building.  Trees grew in the courtyard between the two classroom wings.  Air conditioning was accomplished through the window-lined exterior walls.

The high school library moved from the rear of the auditorium (under the balcony)  to its new facilities in January, 1953, while construction continued on the building.   Throughout the 1952-53 school year  I typed (moving in January to the new building) book titles on the accession list for Miss Opal West.  The public library had closed and donated all of its books to the school.  --Elreeta

From "The Pioneer, 1953"

Steps in the renovation/construction of West Ward Elementary into the new high school building during the school year 1952-53.  The top two pictures show West Ward after the second floor was removed.  The WPA Gym is behind and to the right of the West Ward Building and the Auditorium is on the right edge of the picture.