Dorchester Illustration 2720 First High School
Dorchester established its first high school in 1852.
“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.”
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.
Source: William Dana Orcutt. Good old Dorchester. (Cambridge, 1893)