Girls' High School
Students, Faculty, Alumnae, History

Girls' High School circa 1890s

Girls' High School December 1915

HISTORY

The Girls' High School was created in June 1864 when the the city's first high school, San Francisco High, was split into the Girls' High School and the Boys' High School. The school, throughout its entire history, only taught girls. The Alumnae association fought off attempts in the 1920s and 1930s to convert it to co-educational. In fall of 1930, it was expanded to a six-year school, teaching seventh to twelfth grades.

The school was located in an old brick building previously occupied by the Denman Grammar School, on the corner of Bush and Stockton streets. A new twelve-class building was erected for the school in 1870 on the fifty-vara lot on which the old brick building was located. The school was transferred to this building in 1870. In 1871, a fourteen-class building was erected on Bush street, near Hyde street; and the school was transferred to that location on 5 July 1871. The frame building at Bush and Hyde streets was destroyed by fire in 1890. While being rebuilt, classes were initially held in Cogswell Polytechnic High at Twenty-sixth and Folsom, and later at a primary building on Golden Gate Avenue and Hyde street. A new four-story, red brick building was built on Geary, O'Farrell and Scott. The school moved into it in 1892. This building was severely damaged in the 1906 disaster. While it was being rebuilt, the school moved to Lowell, then to Commerce, then to temporary shacks at the old site, and finally into temporary quarters on Hamilton square for three years. The school was once again victim to a fire in 1933. The school held classes at Everett Junior High until 1935. The school stayed at the same location until it was closed in June 1952; the explanation of its closing due to population shifts and the city's program of neighborhood high schools. The building was remodeled and became home to the new co-educational Benjamin Franklin Junior High.

Mr. Ellis H. HOLMES was elected Principal of the school on its organization in June 1864, and remained until June 13, 1876. Mr. John SWETT was elected 13 June 1876 and served until 1889. Mrs. Mary KINCAID served from 1889 to 1892. Mr. Frank MORTON served for six months in 1892. Mr. Elisha Brooks served from 1892 to 1904. Dr. Arthur W. Scott served from 1904 to 1926. Mr. Charles C. DANFORTH served from 1926 to 1942. Miss Edith E. PENCE served from 1942 to 1950. Mr. Julian S. REINHERTZ was the last principal and served from 1950 to 1952 (he was married to a Girls' High School graduate).

In July 1867, a Normal Training Class for teachers was organized and taught until 1872 at Girls' High School. On 7 August 1876, Normal class training was resumed. In 1895, the school classes separated from the Girls' High School and became the San Francisco Normal School (and eventually part of San Francisco State University).

—Ron Filion

Sources:
Armer, Evelyn D. Girls High School Is No More, 1854-1952.
Ferrer, William Warren. Ninety Years of Education in California, 1846-1936. 1937. pages 80, 91.
Hinrichs, August. Our High School Girls - March. The Zeno Mauvais Music Company, 1896. [Sepia photo of GHS]
Polidora, Ligeia. <http://www.sfsu.edu/~news/prsrelea/fy98/054.htm> The History of San Francisco State University: Celebrating 100 Years of Opportunity, 1899-1999. 1999.
San Francisco Municipal Reports, 1879-1880.
San Francisco Chronicle. Holmes First Principal in Old Building. 01 July 1932. page 5.
San Francisco Chronicle. Commerce High School to Close Next June. 04 Feb 1952, page 9.
San Francisco Chronicle. Girls' High June '52 Commencement Will Conclude an Era. 15 June 1952. page 9S.