History
The "Alameda High School Group" was designed by architect Carl Werner, built in 1926 and used as a high school until 1975 when the State of California issued an ultimatum to Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) to meet seismic standards for this school or to build a new one. The School Board decided to build a new school and demolish the old one.
This decision caused so much furor in the community that in the next election a majority board was elected, which promised retention of the buildings. Give credit to Barbara Borden, William Hargraves and Elaine Kurlinski for accomplishing this decision. Credit also goes to Inez Kapellas, Ina Ratto, Frank Ratto, Gerhard Degernann, and Harriete Roberts for their efforts in having it placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1977 made a Historic Landmark in the City of Alameda.
Because of the decision to keep the buildings, the State assessed AUSD approximately $150,000 to buy back the buildings at $1.00/ sq. ft. Many thanks go to John Peters, Andrew Pagano, and Abe Kofman, who gave extensive publicity in the Alameda Times-Star to raise these funds through their newly formed corporation 'Save Alameda High'. $35,000 was raised in a short time.
In 1979 a group of 15 concerned citizens established the Historic Alameda High School Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization which leased the building from AUSD for $1 a year for 20 years. Since that time the Foundation restored, renovated, and maintained these buildings until funds were obtained and plans for seismic work were completed. This group of volunteers raised funds from rentals, donations, membership in the Foundation, dinners, raffles, bequests. etc., so that repairs could be made to make the classrooms and the auditorium rentable. Roofing repairs, window replacements, wiring, painting and many other repairs were done to make the building desirable for businesses and professional people so that most of the rooms were rented.
The auditorium has been used by over 20,000 people each year for programs for the schools, dance groups, music recitals, awards programs, plays, singers, organ concerts, body builders, etc., and by every segment of the community including groups from Berkeley, San Leandro. and from large regional areas such as Northern California.
Interested groups have made significant additions
to this complex. Alumni of one class furnished the finds to
replace and erect the two flagpoles at the entrance to the
building, and another class donated the money for the two concrete
benches to replace the original benches which had been destroyed.
Donations were received from the membership for memorial plaques in
the lobby honoring the alumni who lost their lives in the Korean or
the Vietnam Wars. The most recent project funded by the membership
was the replacement of the four damaged urns with four new
replicated lighted urns that now so beautifully enhance the outside
of the buildings.
A school bond for $47.6 million was passed in 1989 for repairs of all schools, building a new school on Bay Farm -Island and a new gymnasium at Alameda High School. Seismic work for Historic Alameda High School was included in this bond, however; after work was completed on the other schools, the balance was not sufficient to accomplish all the necessary work on Historic Alameda High School. A compromise was therefore made that only the central part of the Main Building including the Auditorium and the classrooms on the floors above would be retrofitted, restored, and renovated. There were insufficient funds to complete this project, so considerable funds were donated by the Foundation in order that this area could be restored and beautified with painting, carpeting, lighting, etc.
With many years of dedicated work by the volunteers, the cooperation of the AUSD, the City of Alameda and the great support of the community the Foundation has finally reached its goal so that students and the community can again enjoy this beautiful facility. The Foundation, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board are grateful to everyone who was so supportive and generous in giving their time, expertise and financial support. It was a very worthwhile undertaking.