Dorchester Illustration no. 2455 Dorchester’s First High School
Although Dorchester was the earliest town to establish a school open to all boys, paid for by the town budget, it was not until the middle of the 19th century that it established a high school.
The following is from William Dana Orcutt. Good old Dorchester. (Cambridge, 1893)
“In 1850 the subject of a high school was again agitated, –this time with more success. One hundred and eighty-three tax-payers of the town signed a petition asking the school committee ‘to recommend to the town the immediate establishment of a high school.’ This petition was discussed and reflected upon for two years, when action was finally taken. The sum of six thousand dollars was appropriated with which to erect a building, the location selected being on the School Pasture property, on the westerly side of South Boston and Dorchester turnpike, a little north of Centre Street. This spot was selected as being the most central position.
The school was organized in December, 1852, with a membership of fifty-nine pupils of both sexes, representing the Everett, Mather, Adams, Gibson, Winthrop, Norfolk, and private schools. The first principal was William J. Rolfe, the present Shakespearian authority, who held the position for four years.”
Note, although Orcutt places the school on the west side of Dorchester Avenue, the 1858 atlas of Norfolk County shows the building on the east side. The school building occupied the lot that is today a small shopping plaza at the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Gibson Street. The School Pasture property encompassed what is now Town Field and extended across Dorchester Avenue to the east.