Dates: | 1925-1987 |
Size: | 4.5 linear feet, 28 photographs, 1 oversize folder |
Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
Collection Number: | Archives_FHS |
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 fall 1982. Additional yearbooks were donated by various donors. |
Access: | No restrictions |
Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Fenger High School Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
Historical Note
Fenger High School, formerly called Curtis High School, first opened in 1903 as a branch of Curtis Elementary School and was located on the corner of 115th and State streets. Both elementary and high schools shared a principal, and total enrollment numbered only 80 students.
In 1905, the high school was placed on the accredited list of Chicago schools. Three years later, the first class, consisting of only thirteen students, was graduated. 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 evident that the old structure was no longer adequate to meet the needs of the growing body. Construction 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
The majority of the collection is comprised of the yearbook, the Fenger Courier. Also present are scrapbooks and photographs taken at a 1946 school dance.
Arrangement/Series Description
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Publications, 1925-1987
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). Also appearing are reunion programs and a football schedule.
Series 2: 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.
Related Material
Photo CRCC 1.239, from the Calumet Region Community Records, is the groundbreaking ceremony for Fenger High School, 1924.
Container List
Series 1: Publications
Box 1 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, January 1925 |
Box 1 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, June 1925 |
Box 1 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, Feb. 1926 |
Box 1 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, June 1926 |
Box 1 | Folder 5 | Fenger Courier, 1927 |
Box 1 | Folder 6 | Fenger Courier, Feb. 1928 |
Box 1 | Folder 7 | Fenger Courier, June 1928 |
Box 1 | Folder 8 | Fenger Courier, June 1929 |
Box 1 | Folder 9 | Fenger Courier, Feb. 1930 |
Box 1 | Folder 10 | Fenger Courier, June 1934 |
Box 1 | Folder 11 | Fenger Courier, January 1935 |
Box 2 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, June 1935 |
Box 2 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, January 1936 |
Box 2 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, June 1936 |
Box 2 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, January 1937 |
Box 2 | Folder 5 | Fenger Courier, June 1938 |
Box 2 | Folder 6 | Fenger Courier, January 1939 |
Box 2 | Folder 7 | Fenger Courier, June 1939 |
Box 7 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, January 1941 |
Box 7 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, June 1941 |
Box 7 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, January 1942 |
Box 7 | Folder 5 | Fenger Courier, June 1942 |
Box 7 | Folder 6 | Fenger Courier, January 1943 |
Box 8 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, June 1943 |
Box 8 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, January 1944 |
Box 8 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, June 1944 |
Box 8 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, January 1945 |
Box 8 | Folder 5 | Fenger Courier, June 1945 |
Box 8 | Folder 6 | Fenger Courier, January 1946 |
Box 8 | Folder 7 | Fenger Courier, June 1946 |
Box 9 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, January 1947 |
Box 2 | Folder 10 | Fenger Courier, 1949 |
Box 3 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, 1950 |
Box 3 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, 1951 |
Box 9 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, 1952 |
Box 3 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, 1954 |
Box 3 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, 1956 |
Box 3 | Folder 5 | Fenger Courier, 1957 |
Box 4 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, 1957 |
Box 4 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, 1959 |
Box 4 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, 1960 |
Box 4 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, 1961 |
Box 5 | Folder 1 | Fenger Courier, 1962 |
Box 5 | Folder 2 | Fenger Courier, 1963 |
Box 5 | Folder 3 | Fenger Courier, 1964 |
Box 5 | Folder 4 | Fenger Courier, 1965 |
Oversize folder | Fenger News, Nov. 9, 1951 | |
Box 5 | Folder 5 | History of Fenger, 1903-1936; PTA Yearbooks, 1943-1944, 1959-1960 |
Box 9 | Folder 3 | Football schedule, 1944 |
Box 9 | Folder 4 | 35 Year Reunion Program, 1977 October 29 |
Box 9 | Folder 5 | 40 Year Reunion Program, 1987 April 25 |
Series 2: Scrapbooks of Mrs. Beryl Fenstemacher, 1952-1972
Box 6 | Folder 1 | Beryl Fenstemacher Scrapbook, Book I, 1952-1956 |
Box 6 | Folder 2 | Beryl Fenstemacher Scrapbook, Book II, 1967-1969 |
Box 7 | Folder 1 | Beryl Fenstemacher Scrapbook, Book III, 1969-1972 |
Photographs, 1946
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 three types of shots: individual couples, posed; multiple couples, posed; and candid photographs taken on the dance floor.
Photograph 1.1 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.2 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.3 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.4 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.5 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.6 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.7 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.8 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.9 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.10 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.11 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.12 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.13 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.14 | Fenger High School dance, unidentified couple, 1946 |
Photograph 1.15 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.16 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.17 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.18 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.19 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.20 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.21 | Fenger High School dance, multiple couples, 1946 |
Photograph 1.22 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |
Photograph 1.23 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |
Photograph 1.24 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |
Photograph 1.25 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |
Photograph 1.26 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |
Photograph 1.27 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |
Photograph 1.28 | Fenger High School dance, dance floor scene, 1946 |