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Oakland High School, established in 1869, is Oakland’s oldest high school (and one of the first high schools in California). The first building was formally dedicated on September 17, 1871. A public school currently located near MacArthur and Park Boulevard, it serves approximately 1,800 students in grades 9–12. With 82 instructors, the school consists of three buildings and a 100-yard field. It’s significant enough of an Oakland institution to have had 5 buildings (so far):

1869-1871

Oakland High School first met on July 12, 1869, in one of the rooms at the Lafayette elementary school. This marked the founding of the first high school in Northern California and the second in the state. When Oakland gained in population, the single room became too small, and the school board decided the school needed its own building.

1871-1889

The first Oakland High School building opened on September 17, 1871, at the northwest corner of Market Street and 12th Street. Its Indiana sandstone blocks, which reportedly came “around the Horn,” now ring Astro Circle in Eastshore Park. The building was designed by Walter J. Mathews, and constructed by Robert Smilie. 5

In 1887 the staff of Oakland High School were the following:

Twice the building was damaged by arson fires. After the second fire in November 1889, the school temporarily moved to Hamilton Hall, located at the southeast corner of 13th and Jefferson Streets, with some classes also held in the Temple Sinai building at 13th and Clay Streets. 6

Oakland High v1.0 (1871–1889)Oakland High School 1880s, photographed by Frank B. Rodolph 4

1890-1895

A new building was constructed following the fires. The 1890 building is #3 in the collage below. Like its predecessor, it was designed by Walter J. Mathews, and constructed by Robert Smilie.

By the time it was completed in June 1890, it was realized that it was too small. Principal McChesney argued that a new, larger building was needed.

This later became known as "the old" Central High School after a new building was constructed in 1895.

1889 Sanborn excerpt 1889 drawing 5

1895-1928

Oakland High’s next home of its own, eventually dubbed the “Old Brick Pile” (not to be confused with “The Old Brickpile” that was Saint Mary's College), occupied the block between Jefferson, 12th, Grove (now MLK) and 11th Streets. The building contained four floors (including the basement and attic), and estimates published in 1893 stated that the building would cost approximately $200,000, including $67,750 paid to the Remillard Brick Company.1 The building opened in 1895, and was used until 1928.

In 1908, James H. Pond retired as principal. The school board appointed Charles E. Keyes, principal of the Lafayette School, as the new principal.

The structure was demolished in 1940 for a parking lot. The demolition crew attempted to salvage as much as possible. They estimated they would be able to salvage about 60% of the 2.25 million bricks used in the building. The sandstone blocks were going to be used in a park.

Oakland High v3.0 (1895–1928) Oakland High School v3.0 from Chabot Observatory Park (1898) 2v3.0 Source: January 1895 Pacific Educational Journalv3.0 Illustrated Album of Alameda County, 1893

1902 Sanborn excerpt

1928-1980

Oakland High’s imposing fourth building, at the corner of Park Blvd. and Hopkins (today’s MacArthur Blvd.) was called the “Pink Prison”. Designed by 1890 OHS alumnus Charles Dickey, its groundbreaking ceremony took place on Dec. 6, 1926. The building opened in 1928. In a rare example of Oakland being proactive, an acute need for fire safety improvements and seismic retrofitting led to the razing of this building before it could kill anyone. (This 1928 article says it was designed by Reed and Corlett.)

Oakland High v4.0 (1928–1980)Demolition of Oakland High v4.0
(photo courtesy Cindy Chin)

1928 Sanborn excerpt

1980-present

Oakland High’s current incarnation (1980–) was rebuilt on the same spot as v4.0. Designed by ___ it opened on ___. Insert notable comments here.

Oakland High v5.0 (1980–)
photo CC-A from Our Oakland

The January 1895 Pacific Educational Journal includes this image showing "The Growth of the Oakland High School." Number 1 is Lafayette Elementary; Number 2 is the first separate structure for the school; Number 3 is the 1890 building; and the then-new 1895 building is Number 4.

Location

1023 MacArthur Boulevard

Telephone

510.879.3040

Academies

Focusing on a specific series of classes and programs, Oakland High contains various academies that allow students to choose their own class schedule. These academies are:

  • AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
  • ESA (Environmental Science Academy)
  • Project Lead the Way
  • Public Health Academy
  • VAAMP (Visual Arts and Academic Magnet Program)

Structure

Oakland High has three buildings. Its main building is three stories high. A majority of classes (i.e. Science, Math, English) are located in the main building

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Notable Alumni

Links and References

  1. 1893 Annual Report of the Public Schools of the City of Oakland

  2. Image(s) used by permission of the UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

  3. Keyes Made Head of High School San Francisco Call May 16, 1908

  4. Image(s) used by permission of the UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

  5. The Oakland High School Again In Flames Oakland Tribune November 7, 1889

  6. Educational Notes Oakland Tribune January 7, 1890

It’s to be hoped that this Oakland Wiki entry will eventually surpass the Wikipedia article which inspired it, but this should not be too hard, as most of us live here!

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