The History of Samohi

On December 12, 1910, a resolution was adopted by the board of education declaring its intention to call an election for a $200,000 bond issue. On the same date, another resolution was adopted declaring the board's intention to establish the high school on Prospect Hill located between Fourth and Sixth Streets and between Michigan and Fremont [Pico Boulevard] Avenues. Prospect Hill, a spot rich in local history, had been selected for the high school site partly because of its location midway between the two sections interested in it, and partly because of its topographic features. At its crest, the hill stands 120 feet above sea level, and offers a view of the entire city. After a lively campaign, in which the women of the city again played an important part, the election was held on Tuesday, January 24, 1911. Bonds in the amount of $200,000 were voted to this high school district to meet the cost of a new site and the necessary buildings to establish the high school on the top of Prospect Hill. Out of the 875 votes cast, 768 favored the bonds.

Santa Monica pronounced it a gala day when the cornerstone of the new high school was sealed into place. The ceremony was held on April 11, 1912, and was witnessed by nearly one hundred county and city superintendents from various parts of the state. A luncheon was served at the Seaside Hotel for the superintendents, city officials, school personnel, and distinguished guests, after which the whole town turned out to witness the ceremonies incident to the laying of the laying of the cornerstone.

The formal dedication of the new high school took place on February 23, 1913, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. D.G. Stephens, then president of the board of education, presiding. The Reverend Lislie Lebinger offered the invocation, Superintendent Horace M. Rebok presented the dedicatory address, and Mrs. Stephens made the formal dedication of the school.

Frank W. Thomas, elected in 1911, was the first principal of the new high school, which opened in its new location with an enrollment of 450 students and a staff of twenty-three teachers. The following spring more than a dozen teachers were added to the staff to meet the requirements of an increased enrollment.

Thomas resigned in 1913 to become president of Fresno State Teachers College, and the board of education accepted his resignation "with deepest regret." His successor was J.E. McKown, who was followed two years later by A.F. Wood. The next year, 1916, W.F. Barnum, who had been teaching in the high school since 1914, assumed the principalship. Under his able direction the high school made remarkable progress. He served the school as principal from 1916 until his untimely death on May 13, 1943.

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