The 2013 Header Photo taken by Karla Howard Buckmaster shows the cement "HIGH SCHOOL" sign, and brick, that were removed in 1999 from the OLD high school on the corner of Howard and State streets (shown in the photo below), then were preserved, and finally, were reset; with the sign surrounded by some of the preserved brick... near the entrance to the NEW Petoskey High School on Northmen Drive, Petoskey, Michigan.
The Petoskey High School athletic teams FIRST became the NORTHMEN in May of 1930.
[See information about the nickname selection farther below.]
[See information about the nickname selection farther below.]
1959 Petoskey High School student Marilyn Seldon has created and maintains on-line "virtual cemeteries" honoring deceased local teachers. Click HERE to access Emmet County Teachers; and HERE to access the Grade School Teachers. Marilyn is helping to preserve the past... lest we forget.
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ PETOSKEY HIGH/JR/MIDDLE ~
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
Click HERE to reach a page of accessible digitized Petoskey High School complete yearbooks
from 1920 to 2021, with only a few missing years.
from 1920 to 2021, with only a few missing years.
On 21 September 1875, a portion of land "out in the country which had to be cleared," and located at the southeast corner of Howard and State streets, was purchased from Mitchell Petoskey and his wife for $210. Later, on the 24th, the contract for building a new schoolhouse was awarded to Peter Bremmeyr.... "at the sum of $1,790 and is ready to occupy in 60 days." Just in time! For by the 27th, the old schoolhouse had been sold at public auction to laborer Oscar Peterson who, at $37, was highest bidder. The "Democrat" advised, "he has already torn it down preparatory to removing it."
In the 17 December 1875 issue of The Democrat, it was reported: "School commenced at the new school house on Thursday last, conducted by Mr.Hampton, as principal and Miss (Fannie) Burtch as assistant. Charles S. Hampton graduated from Adrian College in 1875, at age 19. He was hired the same year, and organized the first graded school taught in Petoskey, with a primary, or lower department and an upper, or higher department (Petoskey schools were not regularly graded under state law until 1881, however). School attendance now exceeded 100. Mr. Hampton stayed one year, then moved to Little Traverse (Harbor Springs) where he organized and taught its first graded school also. His successor in Petoskey was Mr. Robert C. Ames, himself replaced by a Mr. Saylor before the '76 school year."
In the 17 December 1875 issue of The Democrat, it was reported: "School commenced at the new school house on Thursday last, conducted by Mr.Hampton, as principal and Miss (Fannie) Burtch as assistant. Charles S. Hampton graduated from Adrian College in 1875, at age 19. He was hired the same year, and organized the first graded school taught in Petoskey, with a primary, or lower department and an upper, or higher department (Petoskey schools were not regularly graded under state law until 1881, however). School attendance now exceeded 100. Mr. Hampton stayed one year, then moved to Little Traverse (Harbor Springs) where he organized and taught its first graded school also. His successor in Petoskey was Mr. Robert C. Ames, himself replaced by a Mr. Saylor before the '76 school year."
Article below: Report of the very early years of Petoskey Public Schools
1881 ~The FIRST Red Lake Street School was built
and the cost was $2500.00... had two teachers.
It burned on 13 December 1889.
(See farther below for additional photos/text about Red Lake Street School)
1885 ~ FIRST Graduates of Petoskey's public schools:
Flora Davis (Mary Florette), Mattie Warne, Millie Hitchcock, Jennie Seibert, Mary Gaumer, Ella Hutchinson,
Fred Howe and Frank Howe
Article below: Reminisces of the high school which was located
on the corner of Lake and Ottawa streets (thus the top of Mitchell Street hill).
Photo Above: Named Lake Street School Individuals...
Walter Siebert; Otis Wilcox; Albert Knecht; Walter Cox; Louis Daggett; Horace Rose; Sydney Bump; Chester Long; Effie Tripp; - Tillotson; George Shaw; Charlie Debis; Arthur Chattaway; Lyle Byram; Fred Baurle; Chas. Hill; Moses Rosenthal; Chesley Lawton; Josie Campbell; May Cooper; Agnes Copp; Carrie Williams; Kate Challanig; Daisy Corson; Maggie Siebert; Edith Atkins; Lorna Ploman; Emma Welles; Nellie Hankey; Chara Bauerle; Ida Stone; Audrey Huntley; Luella Sherman; Mary Stocking; Libby Hill; Cora Benedict; Myrtle Clark; Nettie Merill; Chas Wilcox; Minnie Long; Etta Whittaker; Grace Van Luevan; Mae Shovan; Grace Wilcox; Cora Faunce; Inez Markle; Miss Ryan; Prof Ewing; Stella Brackett; Mabel Rice; Julia Mills; Julie Rice; Fannie Beckham; Eunice Burch; Lydia Burch; Mida Phelps; Edith Petrie; Minnie Van Zonelburg; Hattie Watkins; Nellie Armstrong; Brett; Beulah Parker; Jessie Hill; Ida Parker; Mania Ingalls; Bertha Rice; Clara Stroll; Maude Nuntley; Nellie Olin; Cassius Nill; Chas Kemp; Eddie Labodie; Albert Bowman; Frank Bauerle; Frank Rice; Morgan Curtis
Walter Siebert; Otis Wilcox; Albert Knecht; Walter Cox; Louis Daggett; Horace Rose; Sydney Bump; Chester Long; Effie Tripp; - Tillotson; George Shaw; Charlie Debis; Arthur Chattaway; Lyle Byram; Fred Baurle; Chas. Hill; Moses Rosenthal; Chesley Lawton; Josie Campbell; May Cooper; Agnes Copp; Carrie Williams; Kate Challanig; Daisy Corson; Maggie Siebert; Edith Atkins; Lorna Ploman; Emma Welles; Nellie Hankey; Chara Bauerle; Ida Stone; Audrey Huntley; Luella Sherman; Mary Stocking; Libby Hill; Cora Benedict; Myrtle Clark; Nettie Merill; Chas Wilcox; Minnie Long; Etta Whittaker; Grace Van Luevan; Mae Shovan; Grace Wilcox; Cora Faunce; Inez Markle; Miss Ryan; Prof Ewing; Stella Brackett; Mabel Rice; Julia Mills; Julie Rice; Fannie Beckham; Eunice Burch; Lydia Burch; Mida Phelps; Edith Petrie; Minnie Van Zonelburg; Hattie Watkins; Nellie Armstrong; Brett; Beulah Parker; Jessie Hill; Ida Parker; Mania Ingalls; Bertha Rice; Clara Stroll; Maude Nuntley; Nellie Olin; Cassius Nill; Chas Kemp; Eddie Labodie; Albert Bowman; Frank Bauerle; Frank Rice; Morgan Curtis
The FIRST Lake Street School was built in 1881 and the school building burned on 13 December 1889.
The 18 December 1889 Petoskey Record article below tells of the loss from the burning of the school.
The 18 December 1889 Petoskey Record article below tells of the loss from the burning of the school.
1880's Petoskey Schoolmates Gather in 1946
Label on back of above photo L>R in italics... Newspaper labels are green:
Back Label stated "Jessie & Jennie are sisters"
Me (Nellie Kneal), Aunt Vine (Mrs. M.C. Wingate), Julia Porter (Mrs. O.A. Porter), Emma (Mrs. Albert Caskey), Zella Ramsby (Mrs. Casper Ramsby), Jennie Shier (Mrs. Jennie Craw), Jessie (Mrs. Jennie? Lovell), Cora Smith (Mrs. Cora Smith).
Back Label stated "Jessie & Jennie are sisters"
Me (Nellie Kneal), Aunt Vine (Mrs. M.C. Wingate), Julia Porter (Mrs. O.A. Porter), Emma (Mrs. Albert Caskey), Zella Ramsby (Mrs. Casper Ramsby), Jennie Shier (Mrs. Jennie Craw), Jessie (Mrs. Jennie? Lovell), Cora Smith (Mrs. Cora Smith).
Article Above and Photo Right: The article stated that Edna McElveen of Iowa second from the left in the 1880s photo above, was unable to attend the 1946 reunion. The right photo that was submitted by Paul VanWaggoner was labeled on the back as follows: "Edna McElveen Henderson taken Nov. 29, 1948. Married 50 years. Taken in Wedding Dress."
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Clipping Below: LOCATION of the Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School which later was built here in 1913...
(Corner of State and Howard streets)
Photo Below; same photo as above: was labeled as: "1885 Petoskey 3rd Grade School"
Photo Below: Front View of Petoskey High School...
Photo Below: Petoskey's grade school and high school on Columbus Day 1892
1895 Photos Below: Petoskey High School
Photo Below: 1901 Petoskey High School Graduating Class
Back L>R: Maude (Cooper) Cook, Gordon Gix, Carrie Van Gorder, Edwin Mersman, Olive (Ludlow) Kilborn
Front L>R: Virginia (Hilts) Watson, Lula (Pratt) Sweeney, Gertrude (Wilcox) Kitching, Bertha Atkin
Back L>R: Maude (Cooper) Cook, Gordon Gix, Carrie Van Gorder, Edwin Mersman, Olive (Ludlow) Kilborn
Front L>R: Virginia (Hilts) Watson, Lula (Pratt) Sweeney, Gertrude (Wilcox) Kitching, Bertha Atkin
1904 ~ Grove Street in background...
Under this above photo was the following description: "The Howard Street School Bldg. was built in 1875, the north wing being added a few years later. Since the present High School building was built in 1891, the wooden building has been used for the lower grades of the central part of the city. The old landmark is now (Spring of 1913) being razed to be replaced by a $85,000. modern High School Building." More information stated: "Dedication of Central School - 1893" AND "Old Elementary School- built 1880"
Photo Below: Petoskey's high school and grade school from Grove Street
1904 Photo/Clipping Below: Professor Brainerd D. Stowell, the new commercial teacher in the Petoskey High School took his commercial course in the Normal several years ago; he was a gradual of Petoskey High School and of the Normal College.
1907 ~ Petoskey High School
1907~08 FIRST Recorded Petoskey High Basketball Team
Article Below: 1908, 1909, and 1910 PHS classes each had nineteen students.
1912 ~ PHS Has New Seats But Still Needs New Bigger School
Construction of the Petoskey High School
on the corner of Howard and State Streets
on the corner of Howard and State Streets
“This school building [below] was erected in 1913 and cost $100,000.00. Among the 15 teachers serving the Petoskey school system in 1919, five held Master’s degrees. This school later served as a middle school. It was constructed in the early 1900s and torn down in 1999.” ~ "Reflections" supplement to the Petoskey News Review
~ 1921 ~
1927 ~ Irvin Slack, the Petoskey High School custodian for 28 years, died
Photo/Text Below: Petoskey's Great 1927 football team scored 300 points to their opponent's ZERO.
Photos Below:
The following records for the 8 October 1930 Dedication
of the New Central Elementary School, a new Gymnasium, and the Remodeling of the High School
were saved in 1966 due to the foresight of Oliver Aho, the Petoskey High School Principal.
The following records for the 8 October 1930 Dedication
of the New Central Elementary School, a new Gymnasium, and the Remodeling of the High School
were saved in 1966 due to the foresight of Oliver Aho, the Petoskey High School Principal.
Photo Below: It was not until March 1956 that the gymnasium had the five rows of pull-out bleachers installed. Compare this below photo to the photos just above of the gym, without the bleachers.
Photo/Text Below: The Class of 1930 was the largest freshman classs ever to enter PHS. But by the time they graduated, they were one of the smallest; with 67 students graduating in June 1930.
Photo Below: The 1947 Petosegan yearbook had a circus theme, and thus the title "Under The Big Top" (a page which related the PHS building's history).
Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School
1913 ~ 1990 (Building stood until razed in 1999)
1913 ~ 1990 (Building stood until razed in 1999)
The OLD Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School building construction was begun in 1913 and finished in 1914 at a cost of 90 to 100 thousand dollars. The high school building transformed into a junior high school when the high school students moved to Northmen Drive to the new high school building, dedicated on August 19, 1966. Later, the junior high building title became the Petoskey Middle School with a change in teaching philosophy. Petoskey Middle School students remained in the old building until June of 1990. In the Fall of 1990 the first students attended the present day Petoskey Middle School facility adjacent to the high school on Northmen Drive. After the OLD PMS was vacated in 1990, options were proposed for the use of the building, but nothing materialized. A group did raise funds to save the precious 1947 mural which had been on the tall wall of the high school study hall; later the wall of the middle school library. The mural is now featured in the Student and Community Resource Center at North Central Michigan College. The OLD Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School building sat vacant until July 1999 when it was razed, with the location becoming the present parking lot, turn-around area, for Central Elementary School which remains in that area.
Photo Above: Shirley Greenwell stood beside the 1913 cornerstone of the Petoskey High School
on the very day that the 1947 mural was to be removed from the building which was soon to be razed.
on the very day that the 1947 mural was to be removed from the building which was soon to be razed.
~ Auditorium ~
~ Cafeteria ~
~ Adding the Cafeteria Between Central Elementary and Petoskey High School ~
(Probably about 1957)
CLICK to see additional photos of the Central School Extension.
(Probably about 1957)
CLICK to see additional photos of the Central School Extension.
1980 Photo Below L>R: Marion Starr, Patricia "Pat" Janisse, Diane Bedrick, Bonnie Urman, and Amanda Joyce
Cafeteria Staff
Cafeteria Staff
~ Gym and Athletics~
Article Below Left: In October 1910 Superintendent Hartwell had secured the use of the open air roller rink on Lake Street for the use of the gymnasium for the public schools.
Article Below Right: In January 1911, the worst snow and wind storms in years blew down the roller skating rink which contained a part of the gymnasium equipment.
Article Below Right: In January 1911, the worst snow and wind storms in years blew down the roller skating rink which contained a part of the gymnasium equipment.
~ A 1926 Petosegan BEST Cheer includes "Fight 'em!" ~
Two Photos Below: Ragged and faded, but yet preserved,
June 1930 45th Annual Commencement of Petoskey High School program and listing of graduating students...
June 1930 45th Annual Commencement of Petoskey High School program and listing of graduating students...
Clipping Below: Doris Reber and Earl Lawrence earned "Highest Class Honors" in their studies in Petoskey High School Class of 1932. Earl Lawrence became Petoskey Middle School Principal in later years in about the 1970s-80s, in the same building where he had graduated from high school on Howard and State streets.
Photo Below: This gym was located below the auditorium in the original Petoskey High School. Eventually, this space was divided up into the PHS study hall (later the PMS library), the woodworking shop, and the PHS drafting room. The running track was removed, except where the mezzanine was kept for a library area (steps leading up can be seen), and later a reading room. A new gym was built which still stands in 2017, connected to Central Elementary School. In the photo below that gym was decorated with evergreens and yule trees for the FIRST Winter Sports Ball to be held in 1928. This photo was from E.O. Nyman who was the chairman of the ball. A "Los Angeles" blimp was suspended from the ceiling. The band's equipment was set up on the right, with chairs and sofa set up toward the back. Below this pictures is a 1975 news article also describing the same picture.
Photo Below: The NEW Petoskey High School Gymnasium (NOT the auditorium) taken 31 October 1914 held a huge gathering of the Business Men's Association of Petoskey. The event was held in the gymnasium because tables were set, which would not have been possible in the auditorium with its stationary seating. It is easier to visualize the setting if compared to the 1928 above photo of the empty gym.
Article Below in Three Sections: Description of the event above held in the new gymnasium of the Petoskey High School.
~ 1930 Petoskey athletic teams FIRST nicknamed "NORTHMEN" ~
Newspapers encouraged nicknames for the area Big Six Circuit, for use in covering the various schools' teams. "Northmen" was selected after ruling out Resorters, Indians, Petoskians, and other possibilities. Traverse city picked "Trojans", Manistee picked "Chippewas" and Cadillac picked "Vikings". Ludington had long been the "Orioles" and Big Rapids for years and been the "Cardinals".
~ 1945 Petoskey High School Gym Regional Tournament Site ~
~ 1959 Petoskey High School Gym in Action ~
~ 1968 Elections were held in the NEW Petoskey High School Gym. ~
~ 1969 Gym Seat Statistics ~
~ Four-Sided Scoreboard in Gym ~
Text/Photo Below: Petoskey new 4-sided scoreboard was being hung.
Text/Photo Below: Petoskey new 4-sided scoreboard was being hung.
On 20 July 2021 Petoskey Crane Service, Inc. removed the four-sided scoreboard
shown in the article above being installed in 1979.
shown in the article above being installed in 1979.
Photo Below: Petoskey High School's second year typing class
TEACHERS AND CLASSES
~ 1941 Petoskey High School Teachers ~
(Names and Photos)
Photo Below: Mrs. M.C. (LaVina Brown) Wingate with Mrs. Pauline Cook on the right. Mrs. Cook taught high school English for many years. Pauline (Wolkenstein) was married to Clare Cook, the founder of the Cook Electric Co., Petoskey, Michigan. Petoskey High School students may remember going into Cook's to listen, on headphones, to records in a small room in the back of the store.
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~ 1943 Petoskey High School Teachers ~
~ 1943 Petoskey High School Classes Geared Toward World War II Effort ~
~ 1944 Petoskey High School Teachers ~
~ 1945 Petoskey High School Teachers ~
~ 1947 Petoskey High School Teachers ~
~ 1948 New Principal Mr. Luttman ~
(Same year hiring of Mrs. Thompson, Miss Larson, Miss Bathke, Mrs. Robinson)
Article/Photos Below: These "MODERN" 1948 chemistry lab tables were the same ones in the abandoned Science room when the entire school building was razed in 1999.
Photo Below: "In Years Gone By" Miss Ethel Shepherd with her fourth graders...
(Miss Shepherd is shown also in the 1952 article below this photo.)
(Miss Shepherd is shown also in the 1952 article below this photo.)
~ 1952 ~
~ 1953 ~
~ 1955 ~
~ 1956 ~
Store Across the Street from Petoskey High School at 608 Howard Street
The Latocha store had been purchased in 1937 from Leo Wiese. In 1945 Mr. Latocha sold the store to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie and Ruth Witte. In 1947 Kenneth Wilson announced he had purchased the 608 Howard Street grocery from Mr. and Mrs Witte.
Below: This house was located directly across the street from the upper Howard Street entrance to Petoskey High School. Did this property house the store that was there eventually, or how was this property used? Contact the web master with the answer by clicking HERE.
~ 1958 ~
~ 1959 ~
Fourteen New members of the Petoskey Public School Faculty
Fourteen New members of the Petoskey Public School Faculty
~ 1960 ~
Members of the FIRST PHS graduating class and the 1960 graduating class...
Members of the FIRST PHS graduating class and the 1960 graduating class...
Photo Below: 1960 Petoskey High School graduation ceremony [as well as other PHS graduations] was held in Federation Park which no longer exists. The park was located at the corner of Bay and Division streets which is a parking lot for the county building in 2019. In the very late 1800s and early 1900s this space was the location of the Imperial Hotel which burned in 1908.
All of the women's groups of Petoskey in the early 1900s were "under an umbrella" called the Women's Federation which promoted acquisition of the park area, thus it was named "Federation Park." The women of the Petoskey "Federation" group of clubs had paid all except $196.97 to secure the "Federation" Park. Today the site is a parking lot for the Emmet County Building.
All of the women's groups of Petoskey in the early 1900s were "under an umbrella" called the Women's Federation which promoted acquisition of the park area, thus it was named "Federation Park." The women of the Petoskey "Federation" group of clubs had paid all except $196.97 to secure the "Federation" Park. Today the site is a parking lot for the Emmet County Building.
Photo Below: Same Graduating scene in Federation Park as in 1960 shown above...
but below is five years earlier in 1955.
but below is five years earlier in 1955.
~ 1968 ~
Katherine Inglis, English and Social Science PHS Teacher Retired
Katherine Inglis, English and Social Science PHS Teacher Retired
~ Music ~
For additional information about Petoskey's military band and city band,
access "Petoskey Military Band" web page on the "Charlevoix Emmet History" web site.
access "Petoskey Military Band" web page on the "Charlevoix Emmet History" web site.
~ Petoskey High School Band ~
1960
~ 1957 ~
~ 1959 ~
Janet Doherty Emmet County Spelling Champion
Janet Doherty Emmet County Spelling Champion
~ 1961~
Petoskey High School Librarian Jane Marks Passed Away
Petoskey High School Librarian Jane Marks Passed Away
Photo Above: Click HERE to contact the web master to give identical of unknown three ladies on the left. Jane Marks, Petoskey High School Librarian is on the right.
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1961 ~ Petoskey High School
The photo below was undated, but was taken after 1963 when the by-pass was constructed...
showing both PHS, and Central Elementary School, and of course, St. Francis Schools.
showing both PHS, and Central Elementary School, and of course, St. Francis Schools.
26 February 1964
Preparing the Voters to Vote to Build a NEW Petoskey High School
(Also to build Ottawa Elementary School)
~ Construction of the Petoskey High School ~
on Hill Street extension, later named Northmen Drive (in a street naming contest)
1964 > 1965
on Hill Street extension, later named Northmen Drive (in a street naming contest)
1964 > 1965
Photos Below: The 1966 Petoskey High School Principal Oliver Aho had the foresight
to preserve the following records for the Dedication of the New (1966) Petoskey High School.
to preserve the following records for the Dedication of the New (1966) Petoskey High School.
Photo Below: Undated, but definitely after the construction of Petoskey High School, prior to many additions...
AND PRIOR to the building of the new Petoskey Middle School
AND PRIOR to the building of the new Petoskey Middle School
Photo Below: 1968 Petoskey High School NEW Teachers
Two 1976 Photos Below:
Top: Petoskey Middle School connected to Central Elementary School on State Street
Bottom: New Petoskey High school on Hill Street
Top: Petoskey Middle School connected to Central Elementary School on State Street
Bottom: New Petoskey High school on Hill Street
1977 Photo Below: Petoskey High School Complex showing tennis courts and baseball field
Two 1986 Photos Below: The vacant field in the lower front of the first photo below was the location of the proposed new Petoskey Middle School... beside the Petoskey High School which is very visible.
~ Noting the Deterioration of the OLD PHS/PMS Building; Going for a Bond ~
February 1988
February 1988
~ Architect's Conception of Petoskey's New Middle School ~
March 1989
March 1989
~ Name Access Drive to new Middle School ~
NORTHMEN DRIVE
April 1990
NORTHMEN DRIVE
April 1990
~ Petoskey Middle School Marks Its Last Day ~
(Leaving the OLD PHS Building)
June 1990
(Leaving the OLD PHS Building)
June 1990
~ OLD Petoskey High/Jr./Middle School Considered for Senior Center ~
1997
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Below:
~ 1999 PRE-Razing the OLD Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School Bulding ~
~ 1999 PRE-Razing the OLD Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School Bulding ~
~ 1997 Save the Mural Dedicated in 1947 ~
1943 Article Below: Who would have thought that when the Petoskey History Mural was being planned, that the possibility of the mural ever being moved would be considered in 1943: "The mural will be put in place with a LEAD substance so that, if necessary at any time in the future, it can be removed without damage." The mural rests on a wall in the Activity Center at North Central Michigan College in 2020.
~ 1999 Razing the OLD Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School Bulding ~
In July 1999 when the OLD Petoskey High/Jr/Middle School building was being razed, Lorraine Washburne had the foresight to photograph the event. She was working in downtown Petoskey so would photograph before and after work. She missed getting a photo of the study hall mural which was saved, but she did get photos of it being salvaged and readied for moving. Mrs. Washburne graduated from Petoskey High School in 1943. She, therefore, is well aware that her photos are priceless in preserving the history of the building which held so many memories for so many connected people. Mrs. Washburne has submitted her photos presented in slideshows below to be viewed only on this Northern Mich~Mash Preserve website.
WASHBURNE SLIDESHOW BELOW: PRE Demolition AND Removal of the Study Hall Wall Mural which was preserved.
Mrs. Washburne has submitted her photos presented in slideshows below to be viewed only on this
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve website.
Many people helped with saving the historical mural. After the mural was moved out of the OLD Petoskey High/Middle School in 1999 (as shown in the photos above) it was stored by The Crooked Tree Arts Center which donated the cost of rent for the storage space. The mural remained in storage until being moved to North Central Michigan College's to be placed in the new Student and Community Resource Center in February of 2002. See additional photos on this same web site of the moving process to NCMC and dedication at the college, by clicking HERE.
WASHBURNE SLIDESHOW BELOW: 8 July 1999 ~ Demolition Begun
Mrs. Washburne has submitted her photos presented in slideshows below to be viewed only on this
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve website.
WASHBURNE SLIDESHOW BELOW: 15 July 1999 ~ Demolition Including the Auditorium
Mrs. Washburne has submitted her photos presented in slideshows below to be viewed only on this
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve website.
Mrs. Washburne has submitted her photos presented in slideshows below to be viewed only on this
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve website.
Photo Below:
The newel post was preserved from Petoskey High School
when PHS was razed in 1999 as shown in the slideshow above.
The newel post is in the collection of Little Traverse Historical Society/Museum.
The newel post was preserved from Petoskey High School
when PHS was razed in 1999 as shown in the slideshow above.
The newel post is in the collection of Little Traverse Historical Society/Museum.
Article Below: Fred Newberry brought the FIRST football to Petoskey and scored the FIRST official touchdown in a regulation game here in 1893.
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~ Petoskey High School Stadium ~
The land for the Curtis Field stadium was donated in 1925 by Morgan Curtis (an 1889 PHS graduate)...
helped along by other individuals and groups.
The FIRST game was played on this field with Gaylord on 1 October 1927.
It was dedicated on 7 October 1927, the day of a Harbor Springs game.
The last regular season game scheduled for Curtis Field was 16 October 2015.
The field must remain its recreational use, or will revert to the Curtis Family...
according to deed restrictions.
Two Photos Below:
The Honorary Plaque to Morgan Curtis greeted attendees at the stadium gate for many years.
Not quite 94 years later, on 22 June 2021, it was announced the Curtis Field infrastructure will be
DEMOLISHED.
helped along by other individuals and groups.
The FIRST game was played on this field with Gaylord on 1 October 1927.
It was dedicated on 7 October 1927, the day of a Harbor Springs game.
The last regular season game scheduled for Curtis Field was 16 October 2015.
The field must remain its recreational use, or will revert to the Curtis Family...
according to deed restrictions.
Two Photos Below:
The Honorary Plaque to Morgan Curtis greeted attendees at the stadium gate for many years.
Not quite 94 years later, on 22 June 2021, it was announced the Curtis Field infrastructure will be
DEMOLISHED.
The stadium was designed by Harbor Springs Architect, Earl Mead.
Previous to the 1927 stadium, track meets and football games were held at the county fairgrounds.
The cement stadium and playing field cost nearly $30,000.00.
The stadium seats 1500 and has complete accommodations for teams.
Previous to the 1927 stadium, track meets and football games were held at the county fairgrounds.
The cement stadium and playing field cost nearly $30,000.00.
The stadium seats 1500 and has complete accommodations for teams.
Joseph A. Magnus helped to make the OLD Petoskey stadium on Standish Avenue possible through his connection to the local cement company, by donating the cement for the stadium's construction. Mr. Magnus built the JC Penney building in downtown Petoskey, and he donated the land for Magnus Park to the City of Petoskey.
Photo Below: The upper road now is Standish Avenue, and the lower road is Clarion Avenue in 2022. Standish Avenue used to be M-13 just south of Petoskey and one of the main roads leading into the city from the direction of Walloon Lake. Yes, M-13... When the state highway system was first designed in 1919... Next, M-13 became M-131 following the path of the present Bear River Road. The Bear River Road M-131 followed the general path direction of the railroad track; a different location, however, from modern US 131. The Standish Avenue Bridge was built by the Michigan State Highway Department, using Petoskey Portland Cement.
Grimes Avenue is the roadway heading up the hill off Standish Avenue. Grimes Avenue today is just a pathway leading from Standish Avenue up to Howard Street, very near the college (NCMC).
Grimes Avenue is the roadway heading up the hill off Standish Avenue. Grimes Avenue today is just a pathway leading from Standish Avenue up to Howard Street, very near the college (NCMC).
Photo Below from 31 May 2014
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging"
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging"
Fading into the past...
22 December 2017 ~ The OLD Stadium blends into its background, and surroundings.
22 December 2017 ~ The OLD Stadium blends into its background, and surroundings.
~ FIRST Night Game To Be Played in Stadium ~
(New Floods Installed)
1939
Photo Below: About 1946-47 PHS stadium grandstand with the "Visitors Quarters" section noted...
~ Ready for Action at the Petoskey Stadium Track ~
1957 AND 1959
~ Practice Field ~
~ Sell the Practice Football Field to Petoskey Development Corporation? ~
1958
1958
~ Conflicting Opinions Over Practice Field! ~
1961
1961
~ Stadium's Track Flooded ~
1960
~ Football Field Drainage Problem Licked ~
1963
1963
~ Petoskey's Super Bowl Player Mark Smolinski Recalls 'Pressure' ~
1972
1972
~ Baseball Fields and Tennis Courts ~
26 June 1974
26 June 1974
~ Curtis Field Track Facelift ~
May 1991
May 1991
~ END OF AN ERA ~
October 2015
October 2015
The 16 October 2015 issue of the Petoskey News Review featured a photo of a packed stadium,
and reported the "winding down of the Petoskey football program after an 88-year stay at Curtis Field.
Click HERE to access the article and photo.
and reported the "winding down of the Petoskey football program after an 88-year stay at Curtis Field.
Click HERE to access the article and photo.
~ FIRST One DOWN of the Goal Posts ~
2018
By September 2018 BOTH Goal Posts were down and removed.
Photo Below: 1980 with Baseball Fields near Petoskey High School.
Photo Below: PRE 1990 ~ High School Before Petoskey Middle School on Northmen Drive
Two 2001 Photos Below:
After both Petoskey High School and Petoskey Middle School were located on Northmen Drive...
After both Petoskey High School and Petoskey Middle School were located on Northmen Drive...
Photo Below: PRE PHS Stadium Complex (Completed for 2016-2017 School Year)
Photo Below: Posted on this Northern Mich~Mash Preserve web site only by permission from
remarkable photographer and videographer Charles Dawley of Up North Imaging.
Aerial View of Sportsplex Construction and Project's Earth Movement...
(with Little Traverse Bay, the city of Petoskey, and countryside in the surrounding area)
2015
9 September 2015 ~ Second Day of the School Year with Sportsplex Construction
(Slideshow Below ~ click "play" in upper left corner)
(Slideshow Below ~ click "play" in upper left corner)
Charles Dawley, videographer, captured the progress of the building of the Petoskey School Stadium...
click the following dates to access the remarkable videos:
12 July 2015
27 September 2015
12 August 2015
click the following dates to access the remarkable videos:
12 July 2015
27 September 2015
12 August 2015
The name of the new stadium was approved by the Petoskey School Board
during a March 2016 meeting as...
"Northmen Stadium"
during a March 2016 meeting as...
"Northmen Stadium"
25 August 2016 ~ OPENING Game at the new Petoskey High School Stadium
Two Photos Below: Posted on this Northern Mich~Mash Preserve web site only by permission from
remarkable photographer and videographer Charles Dawley of Up North Imaging.
NATURAL LIGHTING
remarkable photographer and videographer Charles Dawley of Up North Imaging.
NATURAL LIGHTING
STADIUM LIGHTING
Two 25 August 2016 Photos Above and Five 8 October 2017 Photos Below by Charles Dawley:
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
CLASS OF 2020 SCORES FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
2020
~ Be the Light Senior Recognition ~
Friday, May 8, 2020, the Petoskey High School stadium was lit to honor the 2020 graduates...
8:20 pm (20:20 military time) for 20 minutes and 20 seconds in recognition of the class of 2020.
Those attending to see the lights, needed to remain in their vehicles at all times, due to the COVID–19.
~ Be the Light Senior Recognition ~
Friday, May 8, 2020, the Petoskey High School stadium was lit to honor the 2020 graduates...
8:20 pm (20:20 military time) for 20 minutes and 20 seconds in recognition of the class of 2020.
Those attending to see the lights, needed to remain in their vehicles at all times, due to the COVID–19.
The 22 June Petoskey News Review headlined "Curtis Field infrastructure on track for demolition." During a board of education meeting, superintendent Chris parker announced the upcoming plans for a "Curtis Field Safety Project" which would include "removal of 'crumbling' and 'dangerous' infrastructure that has fallen into disuse after the athletics turned to the new 2016 Northmen Stadium facility (shown in photos above). Parker described the old stadium as "It's crumbling from the outside and it's crumbling from the inside. The locker rooms are damp and moldy. There's rebar sticking out. There's rust in it." The old stadium track and field continued to be used for various programs and public recreation even after the new facility was put into use. The old bleachers had been removed because they were cracking and people were breaking through them. The track and field will remain accessible to the public. A portion of the school's sinking fund will be used to accomplish the old stadium demolishment project.
The photos presented below in a slide show were taken 24 June 2021, just two days after the announcement of the demolishment project. Click on PLAY in the upper left corner of the main photo to view the show. Click on any of the thumbnails at the top to pause on that particular photo.
The photos presented below in a slide show were taken 24 June 2021, just two days after the announcement of the demolishment project. Click on PLAY in the upper left corner of the main photo to view the show. Click on any of the thumbnails at the top to pause on that particular photo.
The 17 July 2021 Petoskey News Review reported "Bids sought for Curtis Field demolition project." The Curtis Field will likely be demolished before the start of the next school year. The field and track would remain available for public use. The grandstand site is likely to become a parking lot, to increase parking availability and public access to the grounds. This would involve the removal of three kind-of-dilapidated wood sheds at the end of the field. The plaque commemorating Curtis' donation will remain following the demolition. The GIS map, while noted to sometimes have the property lines overlay incorrectly delineating the actual property, the 2017 overlay shows that the Sheds are located on city property, rather than on the stadium property all these years!
The 24 September 2021 Petoskey News Review reported that the stadium demolition is closer with an awarded bid; with "no specific window or timeline established yet to begin razing the grandstand structure." The demolition will take four days from start to finish to get it all out of there, Superintendent Chris Parker revealed. The athletic field was closed nearly six years ago, but has continued to be used for various practices and community members walking/running/jogging on the track. The razed location will be used for parking to get cars off the street. Fencing will be installed to keep users from driving onto the old playing surface and off the track. The structure will come down, but the memories will remain.
Starbright Media Corporation was on-site to record video when the Curtis Field stadium came down.
Click HERE to access video.
Click HERE to access video.
Photos Below were taken 11 March 2022 after the stadium had been leveled,
and the parked train cars for Petoskey Plastics, were seen in the background.
and the parked train cars for Petoskey Plastics, were seen in the background.
Three Photos Below: Stadium ALL GONE
10 October 2022
10 October 2022
~ Turcott Field ~
(Baseball)
(Baseball)
The new Turcott field, located near Petoskey High School, replaced a field of the same name along Charlevoix Avenue, Petoskey, Michigan. The building houses a concession stand, restrooms, storage and team rooms. The new building and field were completed in the Fall of 2013.
Erasing HISTORY... no PRESERVATION!
The PNR article that accompanied the on-line photo above reported the Public Schools of Petoskey Board of Education had authorized "a complete redo of the school's gymnasium flooring. The district sought bids for sanding, sealing and staining of the gym... $23,900.00... The funding for the project is coming from a grant from the Native American Heritage Fund... In August 2020, when the board voted to remove the use of the district's Native America logo, it was noted that one of the largest examples of the imagery that would need to be removed was on the basketball court."
Northmen Proud!
Reported in the 27 August 2022 Petoskey News Review: Petoskey High School is undergoing renovations and adding additions, including fixing up the school's existing weight room and changing the front entrance [2024 photos below]; both at a cost of $4.3 million, funded by the district's sinking fund millage. The projects are to be completed by early December. Click HERE to access the Murals web page.
Photo Below and a news article from 28 June 2023 Petoskey News Review: A partnership with Northern Michigan Sports Medicine was announced to help Petoskey High School reshape the strength program. The new facility was funded (as noted in the 27 August 2022 article above) by the "sinking fund". The program will be available to both physical education classes and the after-school program, to benefit the 200-plus participants; both students and student athletes. Also contributing to upgrades in facility equipment was a generous donation from The Kroeger-Mainland Family Fund (Mackenzie, Corbin, Kurtis, Megan and Ken Mainland). Already noted improvements show not as many athletes getting injured during the sports seasons; being more durable athletes with proper strength and safety training. Beginning with the 2024 fall classes, introductory weightlifting and strength training classes will begin.
Photos Above and Below: Results of part of the $4.3 million public funded entryway, and lobby area.
The ramp in the lobby is very nice, but the rest seems quite bland.
The ramp in the lobby is very nice, but the rest seems quite bland.