tradition

In 1915, the citizen of Los Angeles voted to sell bonds to raise $4,600,000 to build schools in the Los Angeles area. Approximately $500,000 was appropriated to build Jefferson High School on the “Stadium East Grounds” (The Old Coliseum) which held approximately 25,000 people in a circled amphitheater configuration. The “Stadium,” as it was known, was the site for hosting and entertaining travelers on the way to both the San Diego and San Francisco World Expos in 1915. Numerous rodeos and bicycle races were held at the location.

Architect Norman F. Marsh was hired to design the new Jefferson High School complex, the property front 1235 feet on Hooper Avenue, 1149 feet on Compton Avenue, and 952 feet on 34th Street and 392 feet on 38th street. The buildings of the group would be of brick and concrete construction, being faced with rug tapestry brick and trimmed with artificial stone. All corridors and stairways would be made absolutely fireproof. The classical style would be followed, and each of the main structures would have a dignified entrance portico with stone pediment and columns.

Jefferson opened its doors on September 11, 1916, with 24 faculty members and two buildings completed. Theodore Fulton was installed as the school’s first principal. In later years, the Football field was named after Mr. Theodore Fulton and known as the Fulton Field.

On March 10, 1933, a Magnitude 6.4 an earthquake in the city of Long Beach completely destroyed the infrastructure of the six buildings which composed the Jefferson High School Campus. The campus was closed from March 10 until April 6 while the school board assessed the situation. On April 6, tent bungalows provided by the school board were erected on the football field. Classes were shortened to half day sessions in order to serve the entire student population.

In 1937, Jefferson won the first of eight California State Championships in track and field (1937, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1962, and 1964).[9] The four consecutive state championships in California (1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952) have not been surpassed today. Woody Strode is one of two men who broke the color barrier in the National Football League in 1946. Mal Whitfield and Charles Dumas both received gold medals in the Olympics. This is a rare instance when two Olympic Gold medalists have come from the same high school.

Through the years, Jefferson High was the academic home for thousands of students who achieved various greatness and accolades. This school tremendous bond of activities was the strength of the community as many families have had several generations attends Jefferson high creating a strong camaraderie and loyalty to the Mascot and the Kelly Green and Gold. However, during the later years, the school began to witness a decline in enrollment as families relocated to other parts of the city. In 2006, a pilot program called New Tech: Student Empowerment Academy began in the northeast portion of the school. New Tech has since become a separate Charter School housed in the Jefferson High School building. Other Charter Schools have followed.