Historical Note

Fenger High School, formerly called Curtis High School, was first opened in 1903 as a branch if Curtis Elementary School and was located on the corner of 115th and State streets.  Both elementary and high school hared a principal and total enrollment numbered only 80 students.

In 1905, the high school was place on the accredited list of Chicago schools.  Three years later, the first class, consisting of only thirteen students, was graduated.  And in 1910, in honor of the noted surgeon, the school was renamed the Christian Fenger High School.

As student enrollment and faculty members increased, it was soon evident that the old structure was no longer adequate to meet the needs of the growing body.  Construction soon began on a larger, modern facility and in 1926, the new building at the present site of 112th and Wallace streets was completed.

Throughout its history, Fenger High School has had a long tradition of school and community involvement by the student body.  Their participation in the many activities of the school's clubs and organizations is reflected in the material that comprises the collection. 

Scope and Content

Series I: Publications, 1925-1965.
This large series of published materials includes one issue of the student newspaper, The Fenger News, an anniversary brochure written by staff and faculty members on the tenth anniversary of occupancy of the present school building, and a number of the school yearbooks, the Fenger Courier (which in its early years was published twice yearly).

Series II: Scrapbooks of Mrs. Beryl Fenstemacher, 1952-1972.
This series is comprised of three scrapbooks put together by Mrs. Fenstemacher throughout her career as English teacher at Fenger High School.  The scrapbooks contain photographs of students and faculty at various school and social events.  Also included are announcements, invitations and programs relating to the activities of  the school.  The scrapbooks clearly reflect the active role Mrs. Fenstemacher played in the activities of her students on a professional as well as social level.

Non-Manuscript Material:
One photograph of Fenger High School has been removed from the manuscript material and listed in the Audio-Visual Collection of the Calumet Region Community Collection, Appendix B.

Disposed Records:
Duplicates and xerox copies have been returned to the Pullman Branch Library. 

Related Material:
Photo CRCC 1.239, from the Calumet Region Community Collection, is the groundbreaking ceremony for Fenger High School, 1924.

Provenance

The material comprising the Fenger High School Records was gathered together by members of the student body and faculty throughout the 1930s-1960s.  The largest addition to the collection was the donation of scrapbooks and various editions of the school yearbook, Fenger Courier, by Mrs. Beryl Fenstemacher, English teacher at Fenger High School from 1956-1970.  The papers were processed as part of a grant received from the Dr. Scholl Foundation and reopened for research in the Fall of 1982.

Access

The Fenger High School Records are available to the public for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room on the 9th floor of the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60605. The collection does not circulate, although photocopy and photoreproduction services are available depending upon the condition of the original materials. First time patrons to Special Collections must present photo identification and complete a Reader Registration Form. Telephone inquiries on this collection and other Special Collections holdings can be directed to 312-747-4875.

Box and Folder Inventory

BOX 1

Publications, 1925-1965.

1. Fenger Courier, Jan 1925 
2. Fenger Courier, Jun 1925 
3. Fenger Courier, Feb 1926 
4. Fenger Courier, Jun 1926 
5. Fenger Courier,1927 
6. Fenger Courier, Feb 1928 
7. Fenger Courier, Jun 1928 
8. Fenger Courier, Jun 1929 
9. Fenger Courier, Feb 1930 
10. Fenger Courier, Jun 1934 
11. Fenger Courier, Jan 1935 

BOX 2

1. Fenger Courier, Jun 1935 
2. Fenger Courier, Jan 1936 
3. Fenger Courier, Jun 1936 
4. Fenger Courier, Jan 1937 
5. Fenger Courier, Jun 1938 
6. Fenger Courier, Jan 1939 
7. Fenger Courier, Jun 1939 
8. Fenger Courier, Jun 1945* 
9. Fenger Courier, Jan 1946 
10. Fenger Courier,     1949 

BOX 3

1. Fenger Courier, 1950 
2. Fenger Courier, 1951 
3. Fenger Courier, 1954 
4. Fenger Courier, 1956 
5. Fenger Courier, 1957 

BOX 4 

1. Fenger Courier, 1957 
2. Fenger Courier, 1959 
3. Fenger Courier, 1960 
4. Fenger Courier, 1961 

BOX 5 

1. Fenger Courier, 1962 
2. Fenger Courier, 1963 
3. Fenger Courier, 1964 
4. Fenger Courier, 1965 
5. History of Fenger, 1903-36; PTA Yearbooks, 1943-44, 1959-60 

BOX 6 Scrapbooks

Beryl Fenstemacher Scrapbook-Book I, 1952-56 
Beryl Fenstemacher Scrapbook-Book II, 1967-69 

BOX 7

Beryl Fenstemacher Scrapbook-Book III, 1969-72 

PHOTOGRAPHS

There are 28 photographs of a dance for Fenger High School students at the Shoreland Hotel, 55th Street and Lakeshore Drive, on January 10, 1946.  The photos are entirely unidentified, and consist of the following shot.

1.1-1.14 Individual couples, posed
1.15-1.21 Multiple couples, posed
1.22-1.28 Photos taken on the dance floor, unposed

OVERSIZE Fenger News, 1951 Nov 9