Burns Park in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ann Arbor High School
Innovative education has been connected to this site ever since the Union School opened in 1856 as a school for all grades (inset above). Ann Arbor's Argus newspaper reported people "moving here to take advantage of our model Union School." After the elementary grades moved out in the 1860s, it became Ann Arbor High School. A preparatory school for the university, it had dedicated teachers, challenging classes, and advanced equipment and books. Science teacher Horatio Chute designed comprehensive courses in physics, astronomy, and chemistry that were copied all over the country.
After the old building burned in 1904, the 1907 building (above) featured cutting-edge Chute-designed laboratories, a gymnasium, expanded vocational courses, and an attached public Carnegie Library that was shared with the school. The Daily Times proudly declared it "the finest publich school building in Michigan, if not in the United States."
In 1956 Ann Arbor High School moved to its new building on West Stadium, later renamed Pioneer High School. UM had bought the old school and library buildings and named them to honor former Professor Henry Simmons Frieze. Classrooms were used mainly for theater, social work, and languages. Trueblood Auditorium and the Arena Theater provided space for training and performances. The buildings were demolished in 2007 to erect "North Quad," combined dorm and academic buildings mixing students' living and learning spaces. The facade of the Carnegie Library on Huron Street and architectural elements from the old high school were integrated into the new buildings.
William E. Austin Jr. (1952), Patty Wadhams Gagalis (1952), Peri Gagalis (1949), Eleanor Guthrie Shaw (1955), William Shaw (1955), Norma Usrey Wonnacott (1942), Al Gallup (Faculty 195-1967)
Erected by Ann Arbor Historical Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 42° 16.824′ N, 83° 44.444′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Burns Park. Marker is at the intersection of South State Street and East Washington Street, on the right when traveling north on South State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 South State Street, Ann Arbor MI 48109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. FUMC's BSA Troop 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); The James Foster House of Art (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away); Harris Hall (about 300 feet away); Schools and Churches (about 300 feet away); Ideation Building (about 300 feet away); Town and Gown: Entertainment and Changing Culture (about 400 feet away); Michigan Theatre (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.