The idea for a school on the west side of Evansville came from the Centennial Club, led by Mrs. C.F. Werner, who fought a genteel, but determined battle with the reluctant school board. The ladies said the Evansville High School (old Central) was too far away to be financially practical for many west side families. After four years of crusading, the Centennial Club won.

The school board had planned to call the school West Side High School. That was before the board discovered a lack of funds and Francis Joseph Reitz agreed to finance the building of the school. A grateful school board immediately voted that this new hall of learning (which incidentally cost $223,844.00) should be named after Mr. Reitz. Thus Francis Joseph Reitz High School became the first high school on the west side and the second in Evansville.

At first Reitz was intended to be a Junior High School, including only seventh, eighth, and ninth grades, but as the student body grew older, the curriculum was geared to fit the needs of older students. Reitz graduated its first seniors in 1921.

In September 1918 a two-story and basement building of brick and stone classic design was open. In 1921, the first year in which Reitz High School was fully accredited by North Central Association, the 10,000-seat Reitz Bowl was completed. In 1926, a four-story classroom building was added to the west end of the building. In 1956, an addition of a new office wing, nurse's suite, counselors' offices, home economics kitchen, dining rooms, sewing rooms, print shop, band and choir rooms, library, and study hall was added. In 1957, a five-story classroom wing, a second gym, seating more than 3,000, department offices, teachers' lounges, industrial shops, a new auditorium, a new cafeteria, and new restrooms were added. In 1973, a new greenhouse was completed. In 1977, a driving range on Barker Avenue was added to accommodate the Driver's Education Department. The Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation owns the land on which the range is located.

The school has been successful in academic areas. The Reitz choir won the first state championship in choir competition in 1986. Under the leadership of Daniel Durbin, 1995 Indiana Teacher of the Year, Reitz Speech & Debate Team won __ consecutive sectional championships from 1977 until 200_. The school won 4 consecutive Indiana State Forensic Association Team Championships in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. The school won the National Forensics League National Team Championship in 1999. Reitz High School had the largest high school speech and debate program in the United States during the mid-1990s.

The school evolved into a hodgepodge of corridors, floors, and rooms from additions over the years, yet Reitz was still the smallest high school in the area and had the smallest cafeteria. Finally the school board opted for renovation and after more than $26 million, Reitz celebrated its 80th anniversary in 1998 with a whole new look that makes it the largest and most advanced high school structure in Evansville.

Best Regards, Class Reunion Committee

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