Onward Deer Park High

After World War II, the growth of the American suburbs exploded.  Deer Park’s rural landscape soon transitioned into a suburban community.  It was the perfect place for young families to build a home and seek the American Dream.   By the fall of 1937, total enrollment of the Deer Park Village School (which housed Amity and the high school) was 766 students with 23 graduating in the spring.  Within 10 years the enrollment had grown 68% to 1,124 pupils with 60 seniors receiving diplomas.   By the mid-1940s the Amity Road building was bursting at the seams. 

It was clear, the district needed more space for students and plans were made for a new high school.  Eighteen acres of land had been purchased several years earlier along Plainfield Pike, and now was the time to use it. 

Superintendent Carl Crawford and principals Gillilan and Watters study blue prints, late 1940s.

During construction of the new high school, the Amity building was very overcrowded.  Once the new building was far enough along to be occupied, a decision was made to move a group of students there.  The gym and specialized classrooms were not yet built or prepared to accept high school students so the 4th through 6th grade students attended class in the unfinished building from the winter of 1951 through the spring of 1952.  A former student recalled that after Christmas break, his 6th grade class carried their books and personal belongings down Linden Avenue to the unfinished high school where they spent the rest of the school year. 

Aerial view of new Deer Park High School – Front of building and gym/industrial arts wing

The start of the 1952 school year was an exciting time for the community as the new Deer Park High School welcomed its first students along with the junior high classes.  The north wing was not entirely complete but when finished later in 1953 offered a gymnasium, locker rooms and the industrial arts, home economics and commercial departments.  The new building also included a branch of the Cincinnati Public Library which served the high school students and community for many years. 

The long awaited and new Deer Park High School, 1952

The Cincinnati Public Library branch was in the front south corner of the high school. (1958)

Whether learning team work through sports, the use of tools and machinery, the skills of home economics or the commercial skills of business - the north wing was always abuzz with activity.

The dedication for the new school was held in November.  An open house was held before the ceremony allowing the community to view the school.  The Band Sponsors served a turkey dinner in the cafeteria at $1.50 for adults and $0.75 for children.  The dedication ceremony included music provided by the high school band, presentation of flags by the V.F.W., remarks by P.T.A. and school board members and the invocation and benediction by clergymen.  As was the custom at the time, the school district presented the building to the community as a symbol of appreciation for their support in funding the school.  It was accepted by the mayor of Deer Park and a Rossmoyne community leader.

Within a decade, the community outgrew the high school building and there was a need for more classroom space.  In 1961, a junior high wing was added that extended west and north  from the original section of the school.  This addition formed a quadrangle of the entire junior-senior high building with a courtyard in the center.

Graduates examine the new construction at their alma mater.

The new junior high wing and courtyard, 1962

Junior high students hard at work, 1958

The original blueprints drawn up in the late 1940s included plans for a third wing on the south end of the building.  It was to provide an auditorium and classroom space for the instrumental and vocal music departments.  With no auditorium at the high school, concerts, plays, Parkers and ceremonies were still performed on the small Amity stage.  There was limited seating, the teacher lunchroom was used as the dressing room and students often had to go out a side door and run around the back of the building to enter from the opposite side of the stage - which was especially challenging on a rainy night.   After nearly 20 years of using the stage down the street, the time had come to build the performing arts wing.  This phase of the plan finally became a reality with the 1969 dedication of the Carl Crawford Auditorium, a beautiful 948 seat venue for showcasing the students’ talents and celebrating their successes with ceremonies.

Carl Crawford was a teacher, coach and principal at Deer Park High School before serving as superintendent for 23 years.

The 1950s and 60s were a time where Wildcat Pride in our schools was on full display. The construction of the junior/senior high school, the athletic fields and the performing arts auditorium were the result of great vision and community support that resulted in a school in which the students, staff, parents and community all took great satisfaction. The school has continued to evolve over the decades to meet ever changing educational needs.  In 2015 the industrial arts and home economics wing was redesigned to create the Career Academy, a flexible space to promote future ready learners.  In recent years, floor by floor renovations have occurred to update the classrooms for the needs of today. 

Students take a break from class and enjoy a beautiful day on the front lawn, 1966

The pioneers who raised the first log schoolhouse in 1826 could never have imagined the modern high school that now resides just yards away from where that primitive school once stood.  Their foresight and sacrifice for their children’s education resulted in the legacy that is today Deer Park Schools.   

“The past has taught its lesson, the present has its duty and the future its hope.”

Notes:

• A bond was passed in 1945 for $400,000 to construct the first part of the high school facing  Plainfield Rd. The district was expecting federal money to complete the work, but the federal law didn’t pass.  Therefore, a bond for $597,000 was approved by the voters in 1950 for the construction of the gym and industrial arts wing. 
• Amity Road is now known as Galbraith Road

Sources:

1. “The Sycamore Messenger”, May 17, 1962, “School System, Deer Park’s Pride”

    

2. Amity a Reflection, 1907-2007, submitted recollection of Paul Herbert

    

3. Dedication Program for Deer Park High School, November 12, 1952

    

4. Dedication Program for Carl E. Crawford Auditorium, March, 1969

    

5. Various Antlers yearbooks

A sincere effort has been made to convey the history as accurately as possible from artifacts, documents, photographs and personal narratives in the district’s archives.

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Deer Park Schools is also asking alumni and community members to help preserve the district’s history. If you have Deer Park memorabilia — such as yearbooks, photographs, letterman jackets, uniforms, or other school items — please consider donating them back to the district so they can be featured during bicentennial celebrations.

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As Deer Park Schools prepares to celebrate its 200th Anniversary in 2026, we are collecting memories, photos, and memorabilia from alumni and community members to help tell the story of Deer Park Schools.

If you have a favorite memory, historic photo, or item connected to Deer Park Schools, we would love to hear from you.

Your submission may be featured in Bicentennial displays, district publications, social media features, or community events throughout the celebration.

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