This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
Previoius portion of this
chapter on Watertown High School
1952
First High School senior class to have a post-prom party at the Watertown Elks Lodge. WDTimes, 08 13 2012, p4
First High School class to receive a Joe Davies Scholarship WDTimes, 08 13 2012, p4
1954
First
steps taken to secure properties which would make up the new High School
addition.
1955
High School principal Edward Hinterberg
addresses student assembly on first day of 1955-56 school year,
at which time text books were issued.
The 1955 State Champion
Watertown High School Baseball Team
1955 1955 State Champion / Watertown High School
Baseball Team
WHS_005_844
The 1955 State Champion Watertown High School Baseball Team
A reunion party was held in 2004 at the Elks Club and about half of the team was in attendance.
[L-R] Ken Rose, Mike Mullen, Rich Block, Myron Jahnke, Jack Bast,
Chuck Brumm, Jerry Sell and Dave Veldhuizen.
1955 The 1955 State Champion
Watertown High School Baseball Team
The
Watertown Goslings won the state baseball championship. It was the first time for such an
achievement. A planned article will
document the occasion by commemorating the team and team players. The author, Dave Stalker, researched the
newspaper clippings and box score's associated with each game and contacted most
of the championship team members so to add updating information and
perspective.
1956
03 07 The City Council decided not to sell the
old Home Management House in Dodge Street which is to be cleared away to
provide part of the site for the new high school addition. A bid had been entered by Clarence Wesemann for it, but the council decided the condition of
the building is such that it should not be moved and that it would be to the
city's advantage to demolish the house and dispose of the salvaged materials. WDT
1957
05 09 Junior prom WDT
10 19 Sometime in the next couple of weeks,
members of the Board of Education are going to determine if they want to
include a laundry in the high school building project. At present the subject is under study, with
the provision that a decision be made later.
If a laundry is installed it will make possible the washing of towels
used by students, such as athletes and others who make use of the showers. It will also enable washing athletic suits
and sports equipment. If the school does
go in for such laundry service it will merely be following what some other
schools are now doing. WDT
11 20 Preliminary
plans for the remodeling of the Watertown High School, a project which cannot
be carried out until after the new addition, now under construction, is
completed, have been approved and the architects, Durrant
and Bergquist of Boscobel, Wis., and Dubuque, Iowa,
have been authorized by the Board of Education to begin work on the formal
plans and sketches, along with specifications.
WDT
1958
01 05 Edward Hinterberg,
principal of the Watertown Senior High School, retires WDT
04 18 Eugene
Tornow replaces Hinterberg WDT
05 03 New gymnasium-auditorium used first time for
graduation. Hinterberg presenter for last time.
WDT
06 16 Council
approves contracts for remodeling of high school WDT
07 01 Eugene Tornow,
new principal, began his duties WDT
07 21 Science instructor Frank James
attends GE Fellowship program WDT
08 22 Remodeling programs delays start
of school. WDT
09 04 New high school
addition due to open with the first full day of classes on Monday, Sept.
15. WDT
10 11 Special scholarship committee; five
faculty members named to WDT
10 27 1958 Watertown High School football squad WDT
11 17 Stage equipment for High School
approved WDT
12 15 New addition
dedication plans WDT
1959
03 18 Senior Class trip to Washington, D.C., and
New York City WDT
03 26 Eugene
Tornow, WHS principal, selected as new
superintendent of schools WDT
04 10 Junior Prom,
“Bali Ha'i”
WDT
05 09 Arnold
Landsverk, physical education instructor and athletic
director and former coach, resigns WTD
05 21 Russell Twesme new
principal, replaced Tornow WTD
07 18 New daily seven
day class period WDT
07 24 High
School Football Team WTD
09 02 New City Hall proposed for old High School/Armory site on E Main WDT
10 14 Open House, High School addition WDT
10 15 New theatre, Dedication, open house WDT
11 14 Homecoming Parade Vandalism WDT
12 04 Christmas pageant cast WDT
12 09 Wrestling squad WDT
1960
Windows Door Ad, new High School, Marmet Corp
03 18 First journey to state tournament in 21 years WDT
05 25 Commencement exercises WDT
08 19 Married
students in high school, policy relative to WDT
1961
Watertown Daily Times, 04 25 & 28 1961
The Watertown High School gymnasium was transformed into an underwater paradise for the 1961 junior prom held Friday night. The junior class chose the theme “Ebb Tide” for the gala party. The theme decorations will be carried out with an underwater scene in the gymnasium and a beach scene in the cafeteria. Music for dancing was played by Jimmy Hartwig and his orchestra. Spectators filled the balcony to watch the coronation ceremony, the grand march and the dancing. Reigning as king and queen were Dennis Turke and Carolyn Gnewuch. In their court of honor were Arthur Kehl and Kate Nelson, Peter Uttech and Linda Quirk, Robert Langer and Wanda Pas, Ed Buckland and Rita Peirick, Ed Meyers and Janet Koshelnick and John Schuch and Ruth Neitzel.
08 19 Frank
James awarded a NSF grant in chemistry and physics WDT
08 20 Watertown High School’s first foreign
exchange student, Carlos Marcelletti of Ancona, Italy will reach Watertown Tuesday afternoon, Aug.
22. He is due in Milwaukee at 1:30 p.m.
where he will be met by members of the Earl R. Maas family of 106 Lynn Street
at whose home he will live while spending a year in Watertown. The family will drive him to Watertown and
here it is planned to have Mayor Robert P. White and others meet the party on
the outskirts of the city and welcome the Italian youth who is 17. WDT
12 21 The board of education is proceeding with
its previously announced plans calling for the addition of four classrooms to
the Watertown High School building to meet expansion needs for the 1962-63
school term. At last night’s meeting of
the board it was disclosed that the working plans for the additional classrooms
will be ready for the January meeting.
At the same time, with the board following the time table it set up last
month in connection with the project so it will be completed in time for the
next term, it was disclosed that bids are to be ready for opening in
February. A bid notice has already
appeared in The Western Builder. WDT
1962
02 28 The city of Watertown, named in the last will and testament of the late Dr. Ella Ruebhausen, at one time a teacher in Watertown High School and later for many years a teacher in Chicago, will be represented at a hearing scheduled for March 7 in the Superior Court of Cook County, Ill., seeking a clarification of the will and an order to settle the estate and make a sum of money, under terms of the will, available for Watertown High School scholarships at the University of Wisconsin. Attending the hearing will be City Attorney James A. Fitzpatrick and Superintendent of Schools Eugene W. Tornow. Under terms of the will, a Self Help Junior College was to be established in Watertown by the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin, but the regents and the city contend this is not feasible. WDT
06 01 50th anniversary edition of The Orbit
1968
04 18 High
School athletes honored. Elks all-sports
dinner. WDT
1983
05 09 Principal Hugh
Burkett , resignation accepted WDT
12 17 Specifications for a New
High School WDT
1984
03 17 Asbestos in
ceilings at Watertown High School and Schurz Elementary may be removed WDT
04 29 Child care center
at Watertown High School investigated; a School Age Mother (SAM) program WDT
09 26 Child care lab;
school age mothers program WDT
10 01 Homecoming
activities WDT
11 17 Improved high school facilities, study of WDT
1985
02 24 Basketball
team wins Little Ten Conference title with a perfect record WDT
05 05 Senior High prom WDT
06 21 Specifications for new High School WDT
08 16 Purchase of Stangler farm considered for future high school WDT
09 24 After a
brief discussion and no expressed opposition, the Watertown Plan Commission
approved a conditional use permit for the construction of a new high school on
the northeast corner of the city. The
permit allows for the construction of the school on a 120-acre site at 1531
North Fourth Street. The permit was
necessary since the new school would be built on a parcel of land now zoned
residential. Appearing before the
commission were administrators of the school district and Robert Stangler, current owner of the property who accepted the
district's offer to purchase in May. WDT
11 18 Ron LeRoy, Senior High School Band Director, Teacher of the
Year WDT
12 18 Members of a committee charged with determining which of the three options for an improved High School should be followed, were presented to the board of education of the Watertown Unified School District. Mrs. Jeanne Reed, president of the board, said the seven who have agreed to serve are Jan Quest, William Mullen, James Clifford, Jerry Theder, Dr. Ed Hoy, Sandra Philipsen, Andrea Turke and Ray Dobbratz. She said several others have also been asked to serve on the committee but they have not confirmed their intention to serve. WDT
1986
04 29 The
Watertown Daily Times has surveyed
other public schools in the Little 10 Conference as well as several others of
similar size in this area, and found few offerings of Latin classes. School districts which do not offer Latin
include Fort Atkinson, Hartford, Hartland, West Bend West and West Bend
East. Jefferson High School offers one
Latin class. Next year
the lone class will be second year Latin for the about six students who have
indicated an interest. Oconomowoc
High School has one Latin class, and Beaver Dam schools offer Latin at the
junior high school. Senior high school students in that district must attend
the classes in the junior high school. WDT
The ceiling was filled with streamers and balloons were floating in the air, as Jason Jones and Patty Shumaker were announced king and queen of the 1986 Watertown Senior High School prom Saturday night. The court members included Jones and Shumaker; Rob Adler and Julie Larson; Daryl Peirick and Ellen Zgonc; David Andrews and Kim Sevenz; Mike Frommgen and Shana Kaddatz; Rod Bachler and Sue Chapman; and Tim Radloff and Trish Da Walt. Presenting the king and queen with flowers and crowns were the miniature couple of Trevor Peirick, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Peirick, and Stephanie Buchholtz, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Buchholtz.
07 16 The
Latin program will be phased out over three years rather than dropped
immediately. The decision was on a
narrow 5-4 vote. The Latin program modification
was one of several budget changes which were approved by the board. WDT
08 20 An
architect hired to perform a feasibility study on a new Watertown High School
dodged giving cost estimates and when he did they never received a nod of
acceptance from a school official, the school superintendent says. The arbitration hearing between the Watertown
Unified School District and Hackworthy Juerisson Associates, Inc. entered its second day Friday as
Superintendent Richard Stolsmark disputed much of the
testimony of Ray Juerisson, one of the two principals
of the architectural firm. The West
Allis firm claims the school district owes it $172,196 for work it performed on
the development of a new high school facility. WDT
1996
08 28 The Watertown Planning Commission Monday
night approved the second step in a plan to renovate the old Watertown High
School into a health club, child care center and elderly apartment building.
The plan commission paved the way for developers Peter M. Hanson and the Watertown
Athletic Club to continue toward a general development plan, which, when
approved, is equivalent to achieving zoning. In approving the developers’
concept Monday, the commission brought up several areas which need more
detailed information. Under the concept plan, the athletic club would use the
gymnasium area and Mary Linsmeir School would use
classroom space in the newer portion of the former high school. Watertown
Community Church, a 30-member congregation, would use the auditorium area on
Sunday mornings and occasionally on a week night. WDT
1998
05 19 Scholarships and awards ceremony WDT
08 27 Rest room plans at
High School Stadium WDT
08 04 To build rest rooms with money from sale
of old Watertown High School WDT
08 30 Peace Garden
transforms bus turn around area WDT
10 18 Federally Subsidized
School Breakfast Program, Watertown High
School will join the initiative. WDT
12 19 A new Watertown Police Department
proposed for near high school WDT
1999
03 06 End of Latin
program WDT
04 01 Proposal to introduce girls bowling as
a letter sport WDT
04 03 Police facility on High School land;
option allowed construction of WDT
05 01 Junior prom court
WDT
05 04 Graduation moved to High School gym from
Riverside Park WDT
05 13 Two
graduation ceremonies planned, Riverside Park and school gymnasium WDT
07 29 Health and Wellness Center to be
located at the former high school, 415 S. Eighth St WDT
07 22 Budget for school food service
introduced WDT
09 19 Athletics program will continue to be
run by interim director WDT
10 13 Orange Bowl parade; band trip to Miami; to
perform in WDT
2000
09
13 The passing of a
fondly remembered era ended this summer with the demolition of the oldest
portion of the former Watertown High School on South Eighth Street. The red brick building where students used to
rush to classes is now on its way to becoming a parking lot and playground for
the new Health and Wellness Center. The
transformation is slated to be completed by Oct. 1. The building held many memories for those
that taught or attended school there.
While the newer portion of the former school has been remodeled to house
numerous community service agencies as part of HAWC, no financially feasible
use could be found for the old portion because of the building’s age,
noncompliance of safety codes and neighborhood issues. The high school building opened its doors to
students for the first time on Jan. 2, 1917.
An addition was constructed in 1926 to eliminate crowded space and a
larger addition was added in 1956.
2001
03 03 Percentage of students
graduating on the rise; dropout rates decline WDT
03
07 Replacement of two sections of the
Watertown High School gymnasium floor was discussed at the Board of Education
Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting.
Dennis Mudler, director of business services
and transportation, told the committee the substructure, or particle board,
below the polyurethane top structure of two basketball courts on the east and
west ends of the gymnasium is failing and is only 7 years old. The wood section of the floor is not
affected. Vibrations are causing the
substructure to give way. Patches were
placed in January but staples are beginning to come up. The top structure remains in good condition. WDT
05 26 Dr. Frederick Lemke scholarship program,
WACF WDT
2008
11 05 $22,385,000 referendum approved for
additions and renovations; second referendum to exceed revenue limits
defeated WDT
2009
02 10 Frank James, 1913-2009, High School chemistry
teacher, 1944-1975
02 10 Doug
Keiser's Education Blog: Douglas W.
Keiser, Ph.D., Superintendent of schools, Watertown Unified School District
07 09 Three wall murals, painted by Brianna Baurichter WDT, no link
Peace Garden
The Peace Garden is a showpiece for
Watertown High School, used at graduation and other outdoor events. It is the first thing the students, staff, and
visitors see when they approach the high school. The garden was the inspiration
of Steve Jacobson, much beloved teacher, who passed away in 2008 ago.
Watertown Daily
Times, 11 25 1996
“He has forever changed the opportunities available
to the students, staff and community of Watertown.” Dr. Suzanne Hotter,
superintendent of the Watertown Unified School District, let the words hang in
the auditorium of the high school this morning.
After a pause, a standing ovation
recognized the man who helped create a technology center at the school and who,
most recently, presented the district with a $35,000 gift for a more artistic
endeavor. Tom Jeffris of the Jeffris
Family Foundation of Janesville attended the ceremony to dedicate Meridian, the
steel sculpture now located in front of the school. It was a celebration of
sculptor Ed McCullough's work and also of efforts to move education beyond the
walls of the classrooms. Fittingly, it occurred during American Education Week.
Watertown High
School Orbit, 1998
The Peace Garden has come a long way in
the past two years. The two-acre plot in front of the school is filled with
plants and trees from over 30 countries around the world. In addition to the
greenery, benches provide a place to relax, and the Meridian decorates the
south end of the Garden.
The idea of the Peace Garden started with
Mr. Jacobson. Two Peace Gardens have already been established in the world. One
is in Hiroshima, where the atomic bomb hit, and the other is on the Canadian-States
border. With these as an inspiration, the project was started. We live in a
world of hate and where peace is not taught. Mr. Jacobson wanted to teach it.
He wanted a place where people would walk by this garden every day and say to
themselves, "Peace." The more they would hear it, the more they would
question and think about it, and they would learn.
Watertown High School was chosen as the
place to put the garden. Could there be a more appropriate spot to put an
International Peace Garden than the community's educational center? The garden
would be a place for students to reflect not only on their day-to-day problems
but also to remind them of the friends they have across the globe. It would be
a beautiful and living memorial to everlasting peace between all individuals
and all nations.
Many have contributed their time and money
in order to see the garden grow. Donations have come from the students and
individuals throughout the community. Many students and faculty have also
contributed their time to work in the garden.
Much has been done with the Peace Garden,
but there is still a lot to do. This summer an amphitheater made with natural
stones will be put in at the north end of the Garden. This will provide a place
for class instruction, concerts, and such. They are also planning on putting in
a Community Garden at the north end, which will consist of plants given from
gardens throughout the community. An integrated watering system is also going
to be installed. With all of this being done, there is still a need for
continuing maintenance. The garden, like peace, must not only be planted, but
nurtured so it will grow into something so wonderful that it will consume all
people. - Suzie Zobrist
The Meridian represents the circle of
life. Life doesn't flow in a circle, though. It has its bumps and bruises, but
it is still continuous. It is a symbol of hope and life.
Image Portfolio
Click to enlarge
1982 1989
