Denfeld High School History
Denfeld High School Centennial Celebration
Join us in celebrating a century of Hunter pride as we mark the 100th anniversary of the Denfeld High School building! On Friday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m., the Denfeld community, alumni, students, and families are invited to gather in the N. 44th Ave. W. courtyard to unearth and open the 100-year-old time capsule sealed by the building’s inaugural class. Following the opening, please join us inside for a social hour in the Commons with light refreshments, a special presentation by the St. Louis County Historical Society in the Auditorium, and guided tours of the building. We will conclude the evening by sealing a new time capsule to preserve today's memories for future generations of Hunters.
Please RSVP by Monday, Sept. 21 as this will help us plan for the event. The form is below.
3:00 PM | Unveiling of History
Gather outside in the N. 44th Ave. W. courtyard as we unearth and open the 100-year-old time capsule sealed by the inaugural class at this building.
4:00 PM | Centennial Social Hour
Join alumni, faculty, and friends in the Commons for light refreshments and conversation.
5:00 PM | Historical Presentation & Future Dedication
A special presentation on the rich history of Denfeld High School, hosted by the St. Louis County Historical Society in the Auditorium.
The event will conclude with filling of our new time capsule, to be placed back in the cornerstone for future generations of Hunters.
Tours of the building will immediately follow presentation. With more tours scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The History of Denfeld High School
The home of the Hunters, Denfeld High School was known as Irving High School when it opened for classes on 11 September 1905. It was later called Duluth Industrial High School. When the school moved into today's MacArthur West school building at 725 North Central Avenue in 1915, its name was changed to honor Robert E. Denfeld, superintendent of Duluth schools from 1885 to 1916. During his tenure, the number of schools in Duluth increased from seven to 34. Denfeld was instrumental in the creation of a two-year program to train teachers which eventually grew to become the University of Minnesota Duluth.
The current building was constructed in red brick and limestone at a cost of $1,250,000 and opened in September 1926. Duluth architects Abraham Holstead and W.J. Sullivan designed the H-shaped English Gothic style building which features medieval carvings by Duluth master stone carver George Thrana. Thrana came to Duluth in 1889 from Norway where he was trained as a stone sculptor. He carved for 40 years in sandstone, granite, marble and limestone and his work is featured on many Duluth buildings including the Lyceum Theater, Old Central High School, Glensheen, the Board of Trade Building, St. Louis County Courthouse and the St. Louis County Jail.
Perhaps the most iconic feature of the Denfeld High School building is its 120-foot clock tower. The tower features eight buttresses. Its face was designed by Carl Shroer, a teacher at Central High School, and was completed by Denfeld students who welded together four sections cast in aluminum by the Duluth Brassworks Company. The numbers on the face were painted silver and the clock hands were gold painted wood. The face was later painted black to be easier read from Grand Avenue.
Denfeld High School's auditorium was built at a cost of $25,000 and is another of its most prominent features. It can accommodate nearly 2000 people in the audience, 200 on stage and includes an orchestra pit. Public figures who've visited in the auditorium include Richard Nixon and Johnny Cash. The auditorium was renovated for $1,200,000 and reopened in late 2006 after being closed for nearly a year. The auditorium is the annual venue for Denfeld's traditional Maroon and Gold Day assembly during the week of homecoming when the auditorium is adorned with maroon and gold decorations and the students are entertained with cheers, skits, music and school spirit. Alumni return to Denfeld for this display which is meant to motivate football players and fans for the homecoming game.