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Frankford’s Million Dollar High School

Below is a photo taken of the then newly built Frankford High School from one of the many archived news articles at the Historical Society of Frankford.  I would wager the article is from 1916 since we know they began construction in 1915.  A fact I didn’t know was that the school was built as an annex to Central High School.

frankford's-million-dollar-high-school

Below Is the trowel used for the laying of the cornerstone currently located at the HSofF.

frankford-high-school-cornerstone-trowel

The inscription reads:

CORNER STONE LAYING

FRANKFORD HIGH SCHOOL

STONE LAID BY FRANKLIN SMEDLEY

FEBRUARY 27TH 1915

But check out the note reading “trowel made by Henry Disston and Sons.”  The Disston Saw Works was a plant over to east by the Delaware River in Tacony.  In fact Henry Disston built the houses in Tacony for his workers pretty much all by himself. Check out this article from former Lincoln High School principle Dr Harry Silcox about Disston and the Tacony he built. I think it’s very telling that while Frankford was at it’s industrial zeneth, Henry Disston and Sons was still the choice to make the ceremonial trowel.  In fact, we at the Gazette hold him in such high esteem that we headed over the Hidden City exhibit over at his saw works a few months ago.

And who was this Franklin Smedley who was honored by laying the stone?  Well save his story for later.  Check out other posts in our series here.

[link] Historical Society of Frankford

The information in this post was compiled with the help of Debbie Klak, current member and former president of the Historical Society of Frankford.

HSF collects, preserves and presents the history of Northeast Philadelphia and the region. Recognizing the neighborhood of Frankford as the historic and geographic gateway to the region, HSF documents and interprets the history of the people, places, events and traditions of the greater Northeast Philadelphia area and serves as an advocate for the preservation of the region’s historic resources. Through its collections and programs HSF provides opportunities for its members, the surrounding community, and the general public to explore and appreciate the history of Northeast Philadelphia and its place in the world.

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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Tom Judd is having an open reception
    When– Fri, November 13, 6pm – 9pm
    Where Globe Dye Works (map)
    Description – Philadelphia based artist Tom Judd is having an open reception this Friday at the Globe Dye Works from 6 PM to 9 PM. According to Mr Judd’s biography, he’s done a lot stuff around Philadelphia. From murals on the street to walls for local restaurants. Some of his stuff has been added to the Philadelphia Museum Art’s permanent collection. I hope we get something like Tijuana Weekend.
  • Frankford Garden Club
    When – Sat, November 14, 10am – 12pm
    Where – Wissinoming Recreation Center (map)
    Description – This Saturday From 10AM to 12PM we will be making autumn arrangements for the Vitas Hospice in the old Frankford Hospital (now Aria) We will meet in our new Home at Wissinoming Recreation Center Enter the driveway on Cheltenham Street between Charles and Frankford Avenue (one block east of Frankford Avenue – go past the Frankford Transportation Center at Bridge and Pratt, up the hill, and turn right onto Cheltenham Avenue at the traffice light – then turn left into the driveway about a block down – you are allowed to drive up the red brick road to the building !
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, November 17, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
    Description – AGENDA: • Terry Tobin, director of New Frankford Community Y, will make a report on the possible future of the now closed facility. Accompanying him will be officers of the company planning to buy the facility. They will make a presentation and take questions. • The membership will be updated on the progress of the various zoning battles the Association is currently engaged in. • Any new business will be accepted from the floor.
  • Italian Style Family Dinner
    When – Wed, November 18, 4:30pm – 8:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner.  The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
  • Solar Power Workshop
    When – Thu, November 19, 6pm – 8pm
    Where – Location TBD (map)
    Description – Rep. Payton is hosting a series of workshops on solar power to help you become a part of the solar revolution. Three solar professionals will present their services and general information about the benefits of solar energy. Rep. Payton’s staff will also present on solar rebates and tax incentives available on solar purchases. Presenters include: Rene Ermilio, Helio Power Systems Micah Gold-Markel, Solar States David Blumenfeld, Urban Eco Electric Jorge Santana, Office of State Rep. Tony Payton, Jr. For more information about any of these events, please contact Rep. Payton’s constituent service office at 215-544-7901.
  • Parent Computer Expo
    When – Sat, November 21, 9am – 12pm
    Where – Frankford High School, 5000 Oxford Ave. Phila. PA 19124 (map)
  • Fall For Your Park at Overington Park
    When – Sat, November 21, 10am – 1pm
    Where – Overington Park, Leiper and Orthodox Streets (map)
    Description – Our next Friends of Overington Park event is on Saturday November 21, 2009, from 10am till 1pm. We will be planting a few trees, and racking up leaves, I hope some of your readers would like to attend. The event is called Fall For Your Park and will be going on around the city in over 60 parks. I hope to see you there.
  • Town hall meeting
    When – Tue, November 24, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s church hall, Church and Griscom streets.Phila. Pa 19124 (map)
    Description – Captain Bachmayer (15th District) invites residents from the district to share their concerns at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at St. Joachim’s church hall, Church and Griscom streets.
  • Program at the Historical Society of Frankford
    When – Sun, November 29, 2pm – 4pm
    Where – Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Foulkrod Street, Phila. PA 19124 (map)
    Description – THE LENAPE TRADITION — Special Guest Program and Fundraiser Indian Cultural Museum of Allentown This interactive program and display will highlight the heritage of the Lenape people that were the first to inhabit the area that is now Frankford. In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, it is appropriate to remember and appreciate the people that once called Frankford home. Join the folks from the Indian Cultural Center in Allentown as they share information on their history and traditions. The Historical Society of Frankford is also mounting a small display of its own Lenape and other Northeast Philadelphia American Indian artifacts. Activities for all ages will be offered, so bring the entire family and support the educational outreach HSF has been doing for over 100 years to promote and preserve the history of Northeast Philadelphia. Special refreshments will be offered.
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Historical Society of Frankford Presents: Capt. Allen’s Model Boat For The Marquis De Lafayette

We’re very pleased to give a shot at a (hopefully) recurring feature on the FG.  I dunno what we’re gonna call it yet, but pretty much I asked Debbie Klak, former president of and current member of the Historical Society of Frankford, to help us make it rain history.  And I mean MAKE IT RAIN.  So I’m gonna head over to the society every once in a while and we’re gonna compile some nuggets of Frankford’s loooooonnng history.  I’m not even gonna bother trying pull a cohesive narrative together.  We’re just gonna give this a try in a stream of consciousness kinda way.  I was over there today and spent a couple hours with her and and came away with way too much to type.  As of right now, we’re gonna try to concentrate on tying history into the buildings that are still standing and how Frankford fit into the growing nation.

So with that in mind, here’s the first thing I gotsta show yous.

capt-allen's-ship

This model boat was built by Frankford’s own Captain John Allen.  The only slice of Captain Allen I could find on the net was an FU he threw a general courtesy of The New York Times but check out the note card that comes along with the boat:

capt-allen's-ship-notes

Catch that “General Lafayette” bit?  That’s THE Lafayette, the Marquis De Lafayette.  His Wikipedia page is so bad ass it has sub sections.  This dude spear headed the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War.  A quick copy/paste from Wikipedia yeilds:

In the American Revolution, Lafayette served in the Continental Army under George Washington. Wounded during the Battle of Brandywine, he still managed to organize a successful retreat. He served with distinction in the Battle of Rhode Island. In the middle of the war, he returned to France to negotiate an increased French commitment. On his return, he blocked troops led by Cornwallis at Yorktown while the armies of Washington and Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, prepared for battle against the British.

That dude was a serious baller.  His parade through Frankford was part of his final tour of these new United States that he took during his last visit to our country where he received a hero’s welcome by the people.  According to Wikipedia’s timelines he arrived in Staten Island on the August 15th and ended up in Wilmington DE on the 6th of October so I’m guessing he passed through here on his way.  This boat is 185 years old.  That’s pretty cool.

[link] Historical Society Of Frankford