Graduation season is upon us, so let’s take a look at the many lives of Peabody High School.
Opened in 1850, the first Peabody High School was a small one-story building, once used as a chapel in the rear of the Unitarian Church on Park Street. It held 43 students.
Now, over 170 years later, Peabody High School has relocated four times, grown to three stories and educates up to 2,000 students a year.
1850-1855
First Peabody High School
Unitarian Church, Park Street, Now Condominiums
Postcard, 1906
1855-1903
Second Peabody High School
Now Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Stevens Street
Postcard, 1917
Graduation Program for the Peabody High School Class of 1869;
In 1868, the town adopted the name Peabody.
Class of 1893, Salem News, June 30, 1893
Per article, “the singing was much better” at this ceremony as opposed to the last couple of years. Quite the commentary!
1904-1965
Third Peabody High School is now Peabody Housing Authority, Central Street
Postcard, Circa 1930
Diploma for Grace Gloria Cola, Class of 1946
1966-1971
Fourth Peabody High School
is now the Higgins Middle School, Perkins Street
Photograph, circa 1970
Program cover, Class of 1966
1972-Present
Fifth High School
Peabody Veterans’ Memorial High School, Feery Road
Front cover, program for the dedication of the new Peabody Veterans’ Memorial High School, October 29, 1972