THE HISTORY OF PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL
Text taken from the Foreword of the 1963 PENINGIAN
Our high school was built in 1933 on the grounds of what was once
the Port Chester Country Club. The initial stages of planning involved
acquiring 23 acres of land at a cost of $175,000. The architects, Tooker
and Marsh, designed a structure to cost in the vicinity of $1,000,000.
Although work began in 1930, occupancy did not take place until February 1932,
with the first full graduation exercise taking place in June 1933. The
size of the building was in itself astounding. A total of 140,000 square
feet was thought to be adequate. Included was a gymnasium measuring 94 by
72 feet, an auditorium seating 1250 persons, 38 classrooms, a library, two study
halls, and four shops. A model apartment for the homemaking class and a
student cafeteria, and kitchen were also provided. Looking at the
exterior, the villagers saw a tower rising 135 feet and faced with a clock seven
feet in diameter. An electric master clock synchronizing all individual
clocks in the building was also installed. complete radio equipment and an
electric fire alarm system completed the plans. A slate and copper roof
accentuated the beauty of the Harvard-type brick exterior. Our school is
indeed an outstanding masterpiece of design even though it was built in an era
of austerity. Despite frequent updating such as new lighting systems and
advanced equipment, the past lingers charmingly on. Were our school
rebuilt today (1963), it is estimated that it's cost would be more than three
times as much. Our motto, so aptly inscribed over the entrance doors, is
as timely today as it always was and forever more will
be........................"TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE ARE THE FRUITS OF
LEARNING".
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