Walter Schutz, founder of Sievers, continues his rememberances by saying, “…high school opened the door to what I was seeking: a place where the how and why could be explored and where the teachers urged us on and on.”
“Students in our district were sent to East Side High at Cass and Knapp Streets. Milwaukee found itself in a bind for high school facilities. East Side had been condemned and we expected to attend the brand new Riverside High; however, it was not finished by February of 1915, so we were sent to North Division High on 12th and Center. It was already crowded with not enough rooms, seats, teachers or lockers. When fall arrived, Riverside opened to students. It was written about in national architectural and educational books and magazines. Its design and construction embodied every feature to provide the best teaching and learning. The school did not resemble anything like the schools then in use.”
“Science classrooms had tiered seats so you could see the demonstrations. The biology class had its own rooftop greenhouse. The chemistry room had a lab which was better than any lab at UW-Madison. Thus, if you had taken and passed the class, you would be given full University credit. Later, as a freshman at the UW-Madison, I found the physics course there a duplicate of the high school but the equipment inferior.”
“…all of the classroom equipment was of the latest and best design. The gymnasium was fitted with new equipment, the library was well stocked and every stick of furniture was brand new. Riverside had another welcome advantage; it had its own cooked-on-the-spot cafeteria. Meals such as ham, mashed or sweet potatoes, a vegetable, bread, slice of pie and milk or coffee went for 35¢. The cooks knew just about what each student liked, so usually you got just what you wanted.”
“The standard attire for boys was a three-piece suit of coat, vest, cuffed trousers and shirt and tie. Girls usually wore a blouse or waist and a plain or pleated dark skirt.”
“The mechanical drawing room was another example of perfection. There were 10-12 specially built tables and each student had his own storage space for T-square and paper. All of my grades in Shop and Drawing were A’s.”
“The woodworking shop consisted of five rooms, each with a special purpose. One had woodworking benches with hand tools; another with about ten lathes; another with power tools; one for lumber storage and another for finishing operations. The area provided four years of near heaven for me, and I took every class offered.”
“With excellent stage theater facilities, the wood shop received requests for scenery pieces and props. My friend Oscar and I were given keys to the school so that we could work on these projects during evenings or weekends. We thought nothing of this special privilege and the trust the teacher and principal put in us, and we never even thought of going to any other part of the school.”
“I took what was described as a general course. It had the greatest number of electives with some required subjects. I did not have time to take art classes, but I supplied the line drawings for the school paper ‘The Mercury’ and helped make up the yearbook in the year I graduated.”
“High school opened so many doors…I was putting into action the practice my father had taught me, to steal with my eyes and ears all I could, always being alert and attentive, hungry for knowledge and to watch how things were done. I was in the Science Club, whose main objective was to visit manufacturing plants throughout the city. I never wanted to leave any of those places. We visited the Ford Assembly Plant on Farwell Avenue, the Ziegler Candy Co., Palmolive Soap Co., Johnson Cookie Co., Weinberg Shoe Co., Patek Paint Co., and a sash and door manufacturer. If we wanted to we could write an account of what we had seen and learned. I did not realize it at the time, but this was giving me a good base for the advertising and sales promotion I would later make my life’s work.”
“Joe Baker, the physics teacher, formed the Auto Club. That, in the 1910’s was almost like going to the moon today. Education then was geared toward how to make a living, and mechanical knowledge was the basis of it all.”
“Riverside was born to replace worn-out East Side High and although every part was new, the best part was very, very old, namely the entire faculty with its many years of traditions, its past honors and achievements, and most of all the esprit de corps and experiences of the teachers. This was not only reflected in the remarkable high scholastic standings but its marvelous athletic records, not only in Milwaukee, but stateside as well.”
Riverside High School Football Cheers (That I am sure helped win the games!)
Rack-a Chick-a Rack-a Rack-a, Boom Boom Boom, Rip Rap Roe, Rip Rap Ree, East Side High School, MIL-WAUK-KE
Strawberry Short Cake, Huckleberry Pie, Auch du Lieber, East Side High
“High school was an exhilarating experience and I am thankful to my parents for allowing me to attend. Some boys in 1915 did not have this advantage or experience. Any success I have attained is directly linked to the tenor of my life which was established in my high school years and I am indebted to the teachers who helped me achieve it.”
Wow! What a story! I read it aloud to my husband. He replied, “I bet he wasn’t ever a discipline problem, was he!” As a retired teacher, the story seemed almost fictional. I had no idea there were places like Riverside High School. I thought he might mention where he lived while attending school in Milwaukee. Do you know, Carolyn?
Hi Karen, It does almost seem unreal, doesn’t it? The timing for him was perfect in attending that school. Walter grew up near the corner of Holton Street and Garfield Avenue, about two blocks from the Milwaukee River’s coal docks and Kilbourn Park.
As a Detroit Public school teacher on the East side, Riverside sounds like the school of my dreams.
Hi Pam,
That school does sound like a dream and can you imagine, all in the early 1900’s? Walter always had a way of promoting and a little comes through in his words…in a good way!
What a wonderful story! As a retired high school teacher, I found tears forming in my eyes. Way to go, Walter!
Hi Beth, The joy Walter had in learning during his high school years certainly comes through his words and descriptions. There were many accolades to his teachers (I couldn’t fit them all in). The lasting effects of his time there I think translate to what he was trying to do here at Sievers. The idea that “Happiness is in your hands…and it keeps you young.”
And a whole lot of you CAN do it!
My great aunt Mildred taught English for a few years around the time Walter was a student there. I wonder if he was in any of her classes. :<)
Hi Jean,
How cool! It’s possible. He did mention several teachers’ names, but they were all in the science, math and technical education areas.
Walter was a great man. I first met him when he was a patient at Door County Memorial hospital. He so inspired me, I had little time to talk with him but several years later I was fortunate enough to take a class and saw often then, for many years.. I have several books he gave me that he had written and I do appreciate them.
Thanks, Carol! All of those how-to books might have gotten a start in those woodworking classes in high school!
Delightful flashbacks to a time when it was expected for the young to watch and “learn” and become responsible . He learned and shared. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Roberta, and you’re right. Walter gleaned and used a lot of those free learning opportunities throughout his life.