East High School is commemorating its 150th anniversary this month with homecoming and alumni celebrations, the opening of a time capsule, and the premiere of “Angel Power!: 150 Years of East High Excellence,” a documentary about the historic school which will be screened during the school’s own film festival. In honor of the milestone, we’re taking a look back at one of Denver’s oldest educational institutions.
East’s One-Room School House Beginnings
Years before Colorado was even officially recognized as a state, the earliest iteration of what would eventually become East High School opened as The Union School in 1859 at 12th and Market streets (known then as McGaa Street). The then-private school was a one-room log cabin that served families arriving in Denver by wagon train. The following year, the education space moved to a more structurally stable building at 14th and Market streets. By 1862, Denver established its first school district and school board.
In 1873, the Union School was expanded and relocated to Arapahoe Street between 17th and 18th. It was renamed the Arapahoe School and became the city’s first dedicated high school. In 1875, Denverite James H. Baker was named principal of “the high school section” of the school — this is considered the “official” start of East High. Finally, in 1889 when the student body grew large enough, a brand new building on Stout Street between 19th and 20th streets opened officially as the “original” East High School.
The Birth of “New East” High School
Known as “Old East,” this downtown version of the school on Stout Street served students for several decades before it was torn down; the new campus we know today at 1600 City Park Esplanade opened in 1925. “New East” was constructed during the City Beautiful Movement, a turn-of-the-century urban planning era that prioritized access to greenery, fresh air, and gorgeous architecture for all citizens regardless of economic status. This led to the inclusion of a clocktower, soaring windows, and greenspace on the campus.
Designed by architect and East graduate George Hebard Williamson, “New East” was an example of English Jacobean Revival or Jacobethan Revival-style architecture. Depression-era mural panels entitled “The Travels of Marco Polo” by artist Hugh Weller still adorn the exterior of the school’s library today. These factors contributed to the structure being designated a Denver historic landmark in1991.
Famous Students of East
Of all of the Denver metro’s public schools, East has perhaps had the most famous figures walk its halls. Among them, actors Don Cheadle, Pam Grier, Hattie McDaniel, Douglas Fairbanks, and TJ Miller. Musicians like Larry Dunn from Earth, Wind, and Fire and Jamie Laurie from Flobots, along with jazz greats Ron Miles and Bill Frisell, and singer Judy Collins also called East a scholarly home. Beat poet and underground icon Neal Cassady even spent time as a student at this Mile High education institution.
Special thanks to Westword, CBS Colorado, History Colorado, the Colorado Encyclopedia, and the East High School website for additional reporting and sources on this topic.
