Ferndale High School Nearing Century Birthday

It was known in the beginning as Central School and originated in 1918 when a few acres were bought at Nine Mile Road and Livernois. Due to conflicting records, the first commencement can't be determined, but it is believed to have been with the graduation of two students in June of 1918. Other records state it was in June 1919 and was for the sole graduate, Catherine Renton.

By 1920, the Lincoln High School gym, auditorium and five classrooms - with offices for the school board and high school - were completed. A year later, the home economics and commercial departments were added, and a population boom increased enrollment almost six times from 1923 through the 1930s. More additions followed, including housing for the music department, business, arts, student center, study hall, manual training, a new gym and more classrooms. Some of that was supplemented with federal funds.

A series of excellent accreditations followed Lincoln. In 1921, it received the University of Michigan one. That was followed in 1923 by an ongoing high rating with the North Central Association - which continues to be a prestigious standing.

Both the music and athletic programs brought the school renown, and many students gained through scholarships in many areas of study for higher education. Later, Lincoln became a junior high school before being demolished in 1976.

http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=34228

http://www.ferndalehistoricalsociety.org/history_lincoln_high.html