Allegany Campers Football: Albums: Allegany High School
|
The school, the legend, the Big Blue, Tis Allegany.
|
Those of us that are familiar with Allegany County, will recognize this as the Allegany County Library in Cumberland.....however;
In 1789, "The Visitors of Allegany County School" was incorporated by an Act of the Maryland Legislature. Though the Allegany County Academy, as it was popularly referred to, is considered to be the first public school in Allegany County, a tuition was charged. The Academy was initially located at the corner of Plum Alley and Fayette Street. Between 1849-1850, a new Greek Revival style school was built at a cost of $5,000, and the Allegany Academy relocated to this site on Washington Street with the official opening on June 8, 1850. After 131 years the Allegany Academy closed in 1929, and in 1934, the building was leased in perpetuity by the county commissioners to the Cumberland Free Public Library. On June 19, 1934, the library was officially opened by Maryland Governor Albert C. Ritchie. In 1960 the name was officially changed to the Allegany County Public Library. The new addition was constructed in 1966.
|
The Cumberland Street School was replaced as a high school in 1908 with the building of Allegany County High School which was located on the corner of Greene and Lee Streets, the current site of the Coca Cola Bottling Works and Greene Street Citgo Station. After the opening of the present Allegany High School at Campobello in 1926, the old school became Greene Street Junior High and served in the capacity until March 11, 1932 when the three story structure was destroyed by an early morning fire. The event made "Ripley's Believe It or Not", as the school's next door neighbor was Cumberland's Greene Street Fire Station. At the time of the fire, the school had 1,058 students enrolled in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades.
The word A L C O is derived from the name of Allegany County high school, ie; Allegany County.....A L C O.
|
By 1920, Cumberland's High school enrollment had reached 470 students. The need was seen for a larger city high school. The present Allegany High School had its cornerstone laid on October 28, 1925, opened for classes on September 7, 1926, and had its formal opening on October 15, 1926. This featured an historical pageant with over three thousand people in attendance. The class of 1927 was the first to graduate from the new Allegany High School. Amoung the 157 graduates were Joseph Feldstein, and James Alfred Avirett who served as class secretary. Allegany is located on a tract known as "Campobello", which is translated to mean, "War Camp." This was the site of a union encampment during the Civil War (1861-1865) under the command of General Lew Wallace. He later wrote, "Ben Hur".
|
A close up of the front entrance to the current Allegany High School. With this building and its 76 years of excellence, have produced some of the State of Marylands finest athletes and academic performers.
Since the opening of Allegany Academy through Allegany County High School and now the current Allegany High School, all total of 206 years of existance. Although unknown by this web master, this could be one of.....if not the oldest school in the state. Is it any wonder why the students, faculity and alumni of this prestigious school love it so much. Can you now see where the Pride, Dedication and of course,.....the TRADITION come from.
Home of the "CAMPERS"
With the beginning of the 2002 school year, the Allegany County School board is considering yet another round of consolidation. Within their discussion, it has been rumored to 1. build another Allegany high school and 2. with another consideration, close this famous and legendary school for good.
It would be an absolute out rage to close a school with so much history, pride and tradition as does Allegany High School. As stated before, this is a state landmark with its over 200 years of existance and legendary accomplishments in athletics. To close Allegany would be disgraceful not only to the current students, but to all Cumberlanders, alumni and a severe loss of community pride to the City and Allegany County. Besides, Allegany County needs a name sake school and Allegany high school is that name sake.
We all must come together to ensure that Allegany will live on for all of us to share forever! It is time for all of us to tell our elected official on the school board and in the state of Maryland, that Allegany must be continued and not thrown away like some piece of used up trash.
With the beginning of the 2002 school year, the Allegany County School board is considering yet another round of consolidation. Within their discussion, it has been rumored to 1. build another Allegany high school and 2. with another consideration, close this famous and legendary school for good.
It would be an absolute out rage to close a school with so much history, pride and tradition as does Allegany High School. As stated before, this is a state landmark with its over 200 years of existance and legendary accomplishments in athletics. To close Allegany would be disgraceful not only to the current students, but to all Cumberlanders, alumni and a severe loss of community pride to the City and Allegany County. Besides, Allegany County needs a name sake school and Allegany high school is that name sake.
We all must come together to ensure that Allegany will live on for all of us to share forever! It is time for all of us to tell our elected official on the school board and in the state of Maryland, that Allegany must be continued and not thrown away like some piece of used up trash.
|
This is the picture or glass parkay that is mounted over the front door entrance to Allegany High School.
