The 1920s
Early History of Peoria
- In 1896 a group of wealthy settlers from Peoria, Illinois acquired four sections of land in the Salt River Valley. They elected to come out to Arizona to build a town named for their hometown, thus Peoria Arizona.
- After a period of time, there was only one building in town and this building served as a grocery store, hotel, post office, and a school of five students with the first teacher Miss Florence Kay.
- Peoria had many orchards and large fields and was the center of agriculture, however, due to the agricultural growth, a water shortage developed and many families were forced to move to different parts of the valley
- In 1910, with the completion of the Roosevelt Dam, the water shortage ended and Peoria became a very prosperous agricultural community.
- Pima cotton originated during this time in the Salt River Valley and soon became the number one crop of Peoria farmers. With the water also came more orchards, huge alfalfa fields, and large livestock companies of cattle and sheep.
- In 1917 a fire destroyed the business section of Peoria. The city was rebuilt with much stronger materials, and the city began to increase in population.
- In 1920 Peoria School District 11 had main buildings (Central School) in the center of Peoria along with four satellite campuses in outlying areas. These satellite campuses, along with the school in Peoria taught students until the 8th grade.
- No transportation was provided for students, so students came to school on horses, buggies, bicycles, or walked.
- After students completed the 8th grade many had to go to work on their family farms. If a student wanted to continue their education, they had to go to Glendale or live with a family in Phoenix so they could attend Phoenix Union.
- The salary range for teachers in 1920 was $105 - $125 per month. The principal, in this time, received $180 per month, and the Superintendent received a whopping $250 per month.
- In 1921 the school board approved a bond of over $111,000 to build a new high school in Peoria. Construction began that year on the two-story building, considered by many as one of the best architectural buildings in Arizona. It was completed in 1922.
- The school opened in 1922 with 63 students in the high school. Seventh and eighth graders occupied the lower floors.
- Rooms were small which became a problem in the late '60s and early '70s.
- The farm and woodshop building was completed by 1924.
- The old gymnasium was built during the depression in 1937 by the WPA. The building was completed on the campus before 1940.
- The football field was located directly behind the Old Main building.
Learn More
Find out what the graduating class of 1924 looked like.
Discover when Senior Ditch Day got its start.
Learn about the legacy of the great sports teams at Peoria High School.
There is a page devoted to every decade from the 1920s to the present.
We hope you enjoy reminiscing with us as we travel back in time to celebrate the centennial of THE Peoria High School.
The 1920s
#1 of the Six Pillars of Peoria High School
#1 of the Six Pillars of Peoria High School
#1 of the Six Pillars of Peoria High School
There were six people that were instrumental in setting the groundwork for Peoria High School.
Life at PHS in the 1920s
#1 of the Six Pillars of Peoria High School
#1 of the Six Pillars of Peoria High School
Discover what Peoria High School was like in the 1920s.
PHS Old Main Construction Facts
#1 of the Six Pillars of Peoria High School
PHS Old Main Construction Facts
Peoria High School's budget for the main building was $111,000.00, which was said to be the largest in Peoria history at that time.
Administrators and Teachers
Top Entertainment in the 1920s
PHS Old Main Construction Facts
Administrators, teachers and their salaries are included in this section.
Timeline for the 1920s
Top Entertainment in the 1920s
Top Entertainment in the 1920s
Find out what was happening in the world between 1919 -1929 including news in Peoria and Arizona from the early 1900s - 1929.
Top Entertainment in the 1920s
Top Entertainment in the 1920s
Top Entertainment in the 1920s
Movies, radio shows and music were the top entertainment in the 1920s.