| The liberal founders of Ontario Colony in the year 1883 erected an
agricultural institution known as Chaffey College. For many years Chaffey
performed good service and did much for the community as the "drawing
card" to home seekers. With the readjustment of the affairs of the
University of Southern California, the college ceased to exist and Ontario High
School took its place. This district was organized in 1901, and from that time
until 1909, students of Ontario used the old college building. In September,
1909, the school opened in the new Ontario High School building, and so
commodious were the quarters that it was thought nothing more in the way of
building facilities would be needed for many years. By 1911 the new building was
crowded and it became obvious that more room was needed.
About this time citizens of Ontario and Upland saw that it would be of great
educational advantage if the two districts could unite for high school purposes.
Accordingly in May, 1911, a large majority voted to form a union high school
district. As a result of this important educational movement the union district
secured a campus of fourteen acres, a permanent endowment fund of $75,000 and
the use for experimental purposes of the six acre orange grove west of the
campus. August 25th, 1911, the sum of $200,000 was voted for the erection and
equipment of a magnificent group of buildings. During the present year the bonds
were sold at a premium of more than $7,000, and early in May, work began on
three new buildings.
The Science building will be one of the most modern and best equipped
buildings in the state. All the laboratories and the Domestic Science equipment
will be lodged in the Science building. In the basement will be a cafeteria
where students of the future may get their lunches hot and steaming. On the
first floor, will be the Domestic Science rooms, consisting of cooking, sewing
and fitting rooms, and a "model flat" where practical experience in
housekeeping can be obtained. A large biology laboratory will be on the same
floor; this room will have the north light which is so important in order to
secure the best conditions for biological study. On the same floor will be two
locker rooms, a teacher's room and a large study hall. On the second floor will
be two science lecture rooms, and laboratories for Physical Geography, General
Science, Physics and Chemistry.
The old Chaffey College building will be remodeled to form a Library, while
there will be added an auditorium which will seat about a thousand
persons. The auditorium will contain a good stage with dressing rooms. Here will
be performed the many plays of the future. This will be the best assembly hall
in the colony and will make possible many entertainments during the school
year.
Directly west of the Liberal Arts building will be the department of
Mechanical Arts. It will consist of one story only, and will contain the heating
plant as well as the mechanical equipment. This will make possible the
development of the polytechnic branches which are so much needed in modern
schools.
All the departments of the school will be increased for the year 191213.
The special departments of Art, Music, Domestic Science and Manual Training will
have additional instructors, and there will also be additional teachers in
Modern Languages and English.
The future of Chaffey is very bright. Educational advantages will be offered
here to all who care to avail themselves of the opportunity. The institution is
at present and will prove in the years to come the pride of the citizens of
Ontario and Upland. |
