Is it true that Bowen High School is the oldest school in South Chicago? Yes, it’s a pillar of education here. Let’s step back in time and uncover the story of Bowen High School.
Bowen High School first opened its doors in 1882. Back then, it was known as South Chicago High School. It started in a few rooms of Bowen Elementary. The school was at 93rd Street and Houston Avenue.
The schools are named after James H. Bowen. He was “the father of South Chicago”. He was also the first president of an important company. It was called the Calumet and Chicago Canal Dock Company.
In 1910, Bowen High School moved. It got its own building at Marquette and 89th Street. Dwight Perkins designed the new building. He designed many Chicago schools. Bowen’s design mirrored another school. That was Carl Schurz High School. Schurz is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The new Bowen High School cost $700,000. It had about 125 rooms. It was impressive.
By the 1930s, Bowen High School was packed. It had 4,600 students. Many Polish and Slavic immigrants had moved to South Chicago. Bowen added a new gym and more classrooms in 1969. This expansion included 30 classrooms, 4 study halls and a two-story library.
Bowen High School has seen changes over the years. From 1993 to 2011, it was divided into four small schools. In 2011, these schools came back together. Now, it’s one big high school again.
Bowen’s sports teams are called the Boilermakers. They compete in the Chicago Public League. Bowen has won championships in baseball and soccer.
Many notable people went to Bowen High School. There is film director Andrew Davis. There is baseball player Phil Collins. There was also Joni James a famous singer. And Gene Krupa the drummer.
Bowen High School’s motto is inspiring. “Education stops, Not at the close of a book, But at the end of one’s life.”
Bowen High School continues its tradition. It provides education to the students of South Chicago.