H93.20.101

Taped to the back of photograph is the entry form for "News Pictures of the Year" sponsored by Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year and University of Missouri School of Journalism. Caption reads: "Fullback Roy Baxter of Oakland High dives for a few precious yards in grid battle between Oakland and McClymonds. Picture appeared on first sports page of Saturday October 22, 1949 and ran 8 columns." (P.Lau, 8/2002) The History of McClymonds High School In January 1915, McClymonds High School began in a small building formerly occupied by Oakland Technical High School. Originally the school started with sixty students and was called Vocational High School. It was the first public school in California to offer summer school. About 1920, the name was changed to McClymonds Vocational School, honoring Mr. J.W. McClymonds, who served as superintendent of the Oakland Public Schools for many years. In 1923, the school moved to a new half million dollar building at the 26th and Myrtle Street, and the name was changed to the J.W. McClymonds High School. In 1927, with $325,000 spent on additional classrooms, the school became more of a regular school than a summer school. Then in 1933, the legislative act was passed, regulating school building construction. It said that schools should have steel and structural support on the inside. The building did not meet these requirements. The school decided to move again, this time back to 12th and Myrtle Street in the same building with Lowell Junior High School. McClymonds High thereby became a four year high school. The name changed from J.W. McClymonds to Lowell McClymonds and then to McClymonds Lowell High School. Finally in September 1938, the official name of the school became McClymonds High School. Though the school started with only a vocational instructional program, it has developed into a regular four year high school.

Used: Oakland Post-Enquirer