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The history of Boulder High School is here reproduced (in adult size type) from a recipe book printed in 1978. The book was found in a garage sale in December 2005 in Fort Collins, Colorado and given to Ronny Bush from a friend who thought he might like it.
In the book is found this text: "A project of the BOULDER HIGH SCHOOL BAND 1978".
Within the book is a heading titled, "COOK BOOK COMMITTEE" and one line under the title lists ,"Narrative . . . . . Jim Earl." I therefore assume that Jim Earl wrote the following:
LOOKING BACK..
Boulder's first high school, the State Preparatory School, began in 1889 as a joint effort by the Boulder School district and the University. From 1860 to 1876, the school system offered just eight grades. Then in 1876, the School Board set aside one room in Central School to be used for a high school class.
When the University opened in Boulder in 1877, it included a preparatory department for students planning to continue with college work. To give all students opportunity for education beyond the elementary level, the Boulder School Board voted to establish a high school beginning in 1889. Since Mapleton Elementary School had just opened, the Board agreed to let the high school use some of the extra classrooms in that building.
The first high school consisted of a combined 9th and 10th grade. Two years later another grade was added. During this time, the University still conducted its preparatory school. In 1894 the Boulder School Board and the C.U. Board of Regents drew up an agreement by which the town and the University would share in the operation of a State Preparatory School. Highland School had opened, and the School Board agreed to let the Prep School use the third floor, part of the basement, and two other classrooms.
The Boulder School District and the University agreed to share in the cost of operating the school. Difficulties in sharing a single building with both elementary and secondary students led to the decision to build a new State Preparatory School in 1895. A school was built for $33,350 on the south side of Pearl Street between 17th and 18th Streets.
The new State Preparatory School opened on November 1, 1895. Dr. Henry White Callahan served as head master. Dr. Callahan started some traditions by naming the freshmen "Onies," sophomores "Toots," Juniors "Trips," and the seniors "Quads." Class officers includes "Head boy and "Head Girl."
Students could elect to take the Classical Course, the Scientific Course, or the Latin-Scientific Course. Later a Commercial Course was added. Dr. Callahan resigned as Head Master in 1907 and was succeeded by Charles B. Dyke. Four years later, the University dropped its ties with the school. At this time the title of "Head Mater" was changed to "Principal," when S. S. Kingsbury took over the job from Dyke.
By 1934 the State Preparatory School was overcrowded. The following year, bonds were passed to build a new high school. The present Boulder High opened two years later. The building was dedicated on November 11, 1937. Located at 17th and Arapahoe Streets in central Boulder, the new high school was acclaimed as one of the most modern in the United States.
Through the years, the school has more than doubled its original classroom space by adding several large additions, the last being in 1964. (Note: this review was written in 1978). A separate, two-story annex houses the school's industrial and fine arts programs.
Throughout this history of Boulder High, the band has been an important part of the shaping of the school. In 1935, Hugh McMillan came to Boulder as the first Band Director. In his first year, 17 students enrolled in his class. Mr. McMillan taught at Boulder High for five years before moving to the University of Colorado. Harvey Holmberg served as the next Band Director for five years before moving to Chadron State in Nebraska. In 1943, Randal Spicer replaced Holmberg. Spicer was at Boulder until 1952 when he moved to Washington State University. He was followed by Ed Kehn who taught at Boulder High for nineteen years. In 1971, the present Band Director, C. J. Cassio, came to Boulder High.
Under the direction of Mr. Cassio, the Boulder High School Marching Band made its first major trip to the King Orange Jamboree in 1974. While there, they also preformed at Disney World. The band repeated this trip in 1977, adding to the schedule the Junior Orange Bowl Parade. During the 1977-1978 season, the Boulder High School Marching Band won The Colorado Bandmaster's Association Invitational Marching Festival and the Centennial League Championship.
by Jim Earl 1978 |