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| FLHS circa 1940s State Archives of Florida |
By Jane Feehan
The opening of Fort Lauderdale Central High School* on Sept.
17, 1915 was a big deal. So much so, keynoter Governor Park Trammell told his audience
dressed in holiday garb he would forego political chat for the day in honor of
its dedication.
It was reported thousands came on horse, mule and foot from
near and far to participate in opening ceremonies, a “magnificent event,” which
included the raising of a flag to the roof of the school, a speech by the governor, patriotic music and a roster of city notables. Many local businesses
closed for all or part of the day. A parade commenced at 2:30 p.m. from the “city
square” to the school built on property donated by the Stranahan family.
The Patriotic Order of Sons of America took place of honor at
attention by the entrance and inside a large room decorated with flags for the event.
Also on hand was presenter Col. Robert J. Reed, president of the city’s Board
of Trade, Rev. Dr. Usleman from the M.E. Church, James Rickards, principal of
the high school, the Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club, retiring County School Superintendent
R.E. Hall and the man to follow him, James Holding.
In his dedication speech, Gov. Trammell said “today may well
be recorded in the annals of Fort Lauderdale … a live and wide-awake town.” In
a patriotic setting punctuated with martial music, Principal James Rickards
pledged students would be true to the principles of the flag. “I pray with you
that war may never descend upon us, for peace has done as much for the flag as
has the bloody battlefield … boys and girls of the school will be patriots in
war as in peace.”
Festivities, including music and singing continued into
night in anticipation of the doors opening three days later. Enrollment at
opening was reported at about 75. By January 1916, the end of the school’s
first semester, music could be heard, courtesy of its new choral group,
throughout the new $50,000 building.** Also, the newly chartered Literary
Society established its debate club, a collection of the “efficiently speaking.” The close of
that month marked the end of the first 16-week semester and the first final
exams of Fort Lauderdale Central High School.
Broward County had been established April 30 that year and
Fort Lauderdale was, indeed,to quote the governor, “a wide-awake town.”
*Later named Fort Lauderdale High School
** Original building demolished 1970. Fort Lauderdale
High School relocated to NE 4th Avenue in the 1960s
Sources:
Miami Metropolis, Sept. 17, 1915
Miami Metropolis, Jan. 21, 1916
Tags: history of Fort Lauderdale High School. Fort Lauderdale history, Broward County history, Florida history, Jane Feehan