Comments on: The Ghost of New Rochelle High School http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/ The Search for a Lost Architect Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:26:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Susan Klein http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-614 Susan Klein Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:48:32 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-614 NRHS Class of '72 graduate here; another voice added those above who watched the fire of 1968 from the hill behind Albert Leonard as a 9th grader. Split sessions and classes in the cold portables followed for 10th and 11th grade; as I recall, classes did not begin for 10th grade until the afternoon, which made for some lovely sleeping-in (great for teenagers), doing homework in the mornings, and watching daytime t.v. before school. The fire was undoubtedly traumatizing as we all seem to have such vivid memories. Thanks for the interest on the architecture, and the post. NRHS Class of ‘72 graduate here; another voice added those above who watched the fire of 1968 from the hill behind Albert Leonard as a 9th grader. Split sessions and classes in the cold portables followed for 10th and 11th grade; as I recall, classes did not begin for 10th grade until the afternoon, which made for some lovely sleeping-in (great for teenagers), doing homework in the mornings, and watching daytime t.v. before school. The fire was undoubtedly traumatizing as we all seem to have such vivid memories. Thanks for the interest on the architecture, and the post.

]]> By: Burton Evans Jolley, Jr. http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-609 Burton Evans Jolley, Jr. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:02:56 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-609 I have seen this article before but probably not in its entirety. On this occasion I took the time to read it thoroughly and notice each of the comments that followed. I graduated in 1951 with a sensationally honored class and am very proud of them and our school. I lived closer than anyone has ever lived to the school, directly across Clove Rd. from the auditorium. The public entrance was to our right and the several side doors opened on to a grassy area in front of my house. I never saw the school after graduation until after the millennium when we were kindly allowed to revisit our original house. I was astonished to see the changes in the landscaping, new buildings, roadways and athletic fields. It sure was different from those fences we as Junior Highers used to hop to see the Purple Wave play football. I was there when the three high schools merged and actually did all my five years there at NHRS. I so remember the Senior Court, the winter wooden outside grey running track, the 2 cent, mostly horror, movies shown at lunch time and all of those fairly unique high school sororities and fraternities we had. I know from some book collections of graduates, that many folks have always remained in that wonderful school district but don’t forget that those of us who have travelled near and far still have the fondest memories and were equally as hurt by the damage that demented soul forced upon us all. I have seen this article before but probably not in its entirety. On this occasion I took the time to read it thoroughly and notice each of the comments that followed. I graduated in 1951 with a sensationally honored class and am very proud of them and our school. I lived closer than anyone has ever lived to the school, directly across Clove Rd. from the auditorium. The public entrance was to our right and the several side doors opened on to a grassy area in front of my house. I never saw the school after graduation until after the millennium when we were kindly allowed to revisit our original house. I was astonished to see the changes in the landscaping, new buildings, roadways and athletic fields. It sure was different from those fences we as Junior Highers used to hop to see the Purple Wave play football. I was there when the three high schools merged and actually did all my five years there at NHRS. I so remember the Senior Court, the winter wooden outside grey running track, the 2 cent, mostly horror, movies shown at lunch time and all of those fairly unique high school sororities and fraternities we had. I know from some book collections of graduates, that many folks have always remained in that wonderful school district but don’t forget that those of us who have travelled near and far still have the fondest memories and were equally as hurt by the damage that demented soul forced upon us all.

]]> By: Joseph Summo http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-608 Joseph Summo Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:42:30 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-608 Only the auditorium and third floor of the building was lost in the 1968 fire. The basement and first floors were just renivated. I had seen the original walls behind new brick when the building was renivated again in the early 90's Only the auditorium and third floor of the building was lost in the 1968 fire. The basement and first floors were just renivated. I had seen the original walls behind new brick when the building was renivated again in the early 90’s

]]> By: E. Backstrom http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-603 E. Backstrom Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:15:47 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-603 Interesting article. My mother graduated from NHRS in 1951. As a kid I remember my folks driving around the wrecked building after the fire. My mother was upset about the fire. Years later as a former draftsman, I "practiced" visualization on the few photos that my mother had. Your web site showed me that I had come close. By the way, you have two photos of the fabled auditorium. The traditional one in the inset on the start page, and the one from 1928 of the Scholarship Club on your flickr page. They're standing on the steps of the "public" entrance. Interesting article. My mother graduated from NHRS in 1951. As a kid I remember my folks driving around the wrecked building after the fire. My mother was upset about the fire. Years later as a former draftsman, I “practiced” visualization on the few photos that my mother had. Your web site showed me that I had come close. By the way, you have two photos of the fabled auditorium. The traditional one in the inset on the start page, and the one from 1928 of the Scholarship Club on your flickr page. They’re standing on the steps of the “public” entrance.

]]> By: Unknown http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-600 Unknown Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:59:33 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-600 I got to nrhs now, 2009. The years I've been here it's been discusting and unkept. Full of drugs, violence, cutters, pregnant people, everything. Some school.. I got to nrhs now, 2009. The years I’ve been here it’s been discusting and unkept. Full of drugs, violence, cutters, pregnant people, everything. Some school..

]]> By: Rich Santoro http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-582 Rich Santoro Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:04:13 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-582 <p>I graduated in 1975. I also remember the fire too. In fact, I watched the school burn with my mother from across the street by Forest Ave. So sad. Yeah, even to this day, I brag about the beauty of that building. A Masterpiece if you ask me. I still have my yearbook....The Very first two pages is NRHS in the day time and the very last two pages is it at night. Breathtaking!!</p> <p>Thanks for sharing your photos. I really enjoyed them.</p> I graduated in 1975. I also remember the fire too. In fact, I watched the school burn with my mother from across the street by Forest Ave. So sad. Yeah, even to this day, I brag about the beauty of that building. A Masterpiece if you ask me. I still have my yearbook….The Very first two pages is NRHS in the day time and the very last two pages is it at night. Breathtaking!!

Thanks for sharing your photos. I really enjoyed them.

]]> By: Harold Crocker http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-579 Harold Crocker Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:27:10 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-579 <p>Adding to what Barry D. Hargan stated so vividly above, I was also in the building that morning in the breakfast program downstairs in the kitchen area, where my mom was the cafeteria director. If you remember, we were already on split shifts due to the new construction. (Do you remember the portable classrooms on McKenna field, and our games were played at IEYJHS for a couple of years?)Pete Caputo and Frank Agresta were there when the alarm went off at around 7:20 am. We had a number of alarms previously including the one the day before. I ran out to see where they were headed, but was chased out the front door near the offices. The main fire was set in the construction area above the cafeteria on the library side, next to the elevator shaft that was under construction, This is where it spread up directly to the roof area and continued to spread. My locker was also under the auditorium and when it collapsed I lost everything that day, all my books, regents notes etc., as did many of our classmates. I remember the efforts of all the staff and firemen as they tried desperatly to stop the fire and remove valuable records and equipment from the school that day. It was one of the saddest moments of our lives.</p> <p>We did have the week off, as schools were reorganized and split sessions instituted in the jr high schools, and the person responsible was caught starting up a fire at Albert Leonard. (if I remember, there was a plant from the police academy disguised as a new student that followed the suspect around)</p> <p>I was fortunate enough to come back to NRHS to teach and coach, and there was a special clock on the wall in the main office with the time that the fire alarm went off, which reminded everyone of that sad day. The rebuilt high school with the new additions is still one of the most beautiful schools in the US. Thank you for the article and the responses.</p> Adding to what Barry D. Hargan stated so vividly above, I was also in the building that morning in the breakfast program downstairs in the kitchen area, where my mom was the cafeteria director. If you remember, we were already on split shifts due to the new construction. (Do you remember the portable classrooms on McKenna field, and our games were played at IEYJHS for a couple of years?)Pete Caputo and Frank Agresta were there when the alarm went off at around 7:20 am. We had a number of alarms previously including the one the day before. I ran out to see where they were headed, but was chased out the front door near the offices. The main fire was set in the construction area above the cafeteria on the library side, next to the elevator shaft that was under construction, This is where it spread up directly to the roof area and continued to spread. My locker was also under the auditorium and when it collapsed I lost everything that day, all my books, regents notes etc., as did many of our classmates. I remember the efforts of all the staff and firemen as they tried desperatly to stop the fire and remove valuable records and equipment from the school that day. It was one of the saddest moments of our lives.

We did have the week off, as schools were reorganized and split sessions instituted in the jr high schools, and the person responsible was caught starting up a fire at Albert Leonard. (if I remember, there was a plant from the police academy disguised as a new student that followed the suspect around)

I was fortunate enough to come back to NRHS to teach and coach, and there was a special clock on the wall in the main office with the time that the fire alarm went off, which reminded everyone of that sad day.
The rebuilt high school with the new additions is still one of the most beautiful schools in the US.
Thank you for the article and the responses.

]]> By: Wendy Segal Greene http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-537 Wendy Segal Greene Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:03:35 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-537 <p>Wow..that really brought back memories..I was an alumna of NRHS, circa 1946 - egads!! The twin lakes were precious to all of us - so were many of the teachers (i.e Harry Haigh - band and orchestra,) "Pop" Burke - drama,) Loretta Coons (VP) etc. </p> <p>We did not attend Albert Leonard (where my mom, Anne Kahan Segal) had been PTA prez during my sister's time there. Instead we all satyed in our elementary schools for 7th (yea Daniel Webster and Mrs. Flaherty (sp.?) who's husband taught Spanish at NRHS.)</p> <p>Incidentally, Mr. Praete, was your dad (or mebbe, grandpop?!)Arthur?? Our HS class..</p> <p>It was a wonderful trip - miss the twin lakes where my eldest son, as a 2 year old was pulled on aa sled while I skated - the other two missed out) but am so grateful to the wonderful Dee Danielson who forwarded this to me....ah, memories!</p> Wow..that really brought back memories..I was an alumna of NRHS, circa 1946 – egads!! The twin lakes were precious to all of us – so were many of the teachers (i.e Harry Haigh – band and orchestra,) “Pop” Burke – drama,) Loretta Coons (VP) etc.

We did not attend Albert Leonard (where my mom, Anne Kahan Segal) had been PTA prez during my sister’s time there. Instead we all satyed in our elementary schools for 7th (yea Daniel Webster and Mrs. Flaherty (sp.?) who’s husband taught Spanish at NRHS.)

Incidentally, Mr. Praete, was your dad (or mebbe, grandpop?!)Arthur?? Our HS class..

It was a wonderful trip – miss the twin lakes where my eldest son, as a 2 year old was pulled on aa sled while I skated – the other two missed out) but am so grateful to the wonderful Dee Danielson who forwarded this to me….ah, memories!

]]> By: perrotti, Thomas Sr. http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-520 perrotti, Thomas Sr. Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:05:51 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-520 <p>Fine Article...As a lead Detective brought back many memories, and long hours worked on the fire investigation. Ending for the purp was tragic.</p> Fine Article…As a lead Detective brought back many memories, and long hours worked on the fire investigation. Ending for the purp was tragic.

]]> By: Michael James http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/comment-page-3/#comment-507 Michael James Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:01:39 +0000 http://jamesbetelle.com/2007/07/05/the-ghost-of-new-rochelle-high-school/#comment-507 <p>Very informative article, kept my interest. The 3 years I spent there, (9th grade in 1979 was in Isaac young Jr high) held many fond memories of friends near and far. Thank you for the history lesson about the building.</p> Very informative article, kept my interest. The 3 years I spent there, (9th grade in 1979 was in Isaac young Jr high) held many fond memories of friends near and far. Thank you for the history lesson about the building.

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