Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

As I was lamenting over the physical loss of sections of our beloved old high school, I was browsing eBay. I saw a 1929 copy of Somerville High School’s yearbook, The Radiator. It was right up my alley.

On one of the pages (see photo) is an artist’s rendition of the old high school, only calling it “new.” I found the following historical note online: “In 1929, The Somerville Latin School was torn down to build the East Wing. The west wing was built. The Central Wing which was the old English High, was remodeled. The gym building was erected.” So, the students of 1929 had a new gym, a new wing and a remodeling. Imagine if they saw what happened to their “new” school almost 100 years in the future?

Let’s start looking at this historic yearbook. Here are some of the ads for businesses from the 1929 Radiator:

Oscar Perry Barber Shop, Sidebottom Brothers printing and engraving, McLeans Furniture and Radio, Mildred Vinton Drew, Pianist, EF Hicks Caterer, Central Co-Operative Bank, Seven Oaks Dairy, Somerville Nash Company, Burditt and Williams Hardware, Somerville Institution for Savings, Summer St. Market, Giroux Dairy, Finkelstein’s Lunch (across from the high school), Prospect Furniture, A Govoni Confectionery, and Ben Smith and Sons Dress Shop.

The Winter Hill train station (pictured with the High School in the background) was still up and running in 1929. I may be wrong, but it would seem that a student living in Davis Square could get the train at the Lexington Street station (the station was called Somerville Highlands) and get off right behind the high school (“At its height, Somerville was served by eight passenger rail stations”). When the new station behind the high school is finished, a student in Ball Square can hop on the Green Line and take it all the way to the high school. Cool!

Boy, our beloved high school has sure seen a lot of changes as it prepared students for life. I’m grateful that I have lots of good memories of Somerville High. My fondest recollections are of the students, the building and grounds (especially the auditorium), and a few great teachers.

Thankfully, I have a brick from the razed section thanks to a friend who was on the project. I have this haunting vision of walking into the high school’s main door, walking toward the auditorium and it’s gone! Just what I need, more disturbing thoughts in my crazy mind.

The Great Depression and economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until around 1939 was the longest and most severe depression ever. The graduating class of 1929 certainly had their hands full. It must have been a rocky road as they headed out into the world. A war was brewing in Europe. It seems every graduating class had its share of difficulty to deal with.

This year, 2021, is my 1971 graduating classes’ fiftieth reunion. The class of 1929 would be celebrating their ninety-second.

If the graduating class of 1929 saw their sparkling new high school demolished in 2021 they would no doubt be sad. But can you imagine if they saw Somerville’s brand-new high school? Wow!