Mohawk High School - Bessemer PA

In July 1958 the schools district of Bessemer-Little Beaver joined forces with North Beaver and Mahoning to form the new Mohawk Area School District. The existing high school at Bessemer (shown above) was renamed as the Mohawk High School and classes were held there until a new school could be built. Junior High level students attended classes at the North Beaver Consolidated School in Mt. Jackson. (c1940) Full Size

In 1959 the school district purchased the 109-acre Gleghorn farm just east of Bessemer and north of Mt. Jackson. Plans were slowly put into action and construction of the new high school began in 1962. The Mohawk Junior-Senior High School (shown above), which cost almost $3 million, was opened for classes in August 1963. The building was officially dedicated on Saturday, November 16, 1963. (1964) Full Size

The Mohawk Junior-Senior High School. (1964) Full Size

The dedication ceremony for the new Mohawk High School was held in the school’s auditorium on Saturday, November 16, 1963. About 700 people attended the ceremony, which was followed by a open house tour of the building. (1963) Full Size

(1963) Full Size

One of the hallways inside the new high school. (1963) Full Size

Manford E. Brockway (1911-1977) was appointed as the first Supervising Principal (Superintendent) of the new Mohawk Area School District in 1958. He held that post until he retired in June 1974. He unfortunately passed away in Warren County PA just a few years later. (1964)

Mr. Brockway discusses school business with his secretary Dorothy Nord (1915-2008). The popular Nord was the longtime secretary at Bessemer schools and was also deeply involved in civic affairs – especially with the public library. She was a well-respected pillar of the Bessemer community. (1965)

Herbert J. Edwards, who came over from Fulton County PA, was named principal of the Mohawk High School in 1958 with a salary of $6,800. He departed in 1966 to take up a post with the state Board of Education in Harrisburg – overseeing federally-funded reading and math programs. (1964)

Harold G. Johnson, former principal of Union High School, was named assistant principal of Mohawk High in 1962. He later served as Director of Instruction and became the school’s principal in late 1973. He was elected as Superintendent in early 1974, but turned it down to remain as the high school principal. (1964)

Inside a typical classroom in the new Mohawk High School. (1964)Full Size

The Mohawk High Warriors varsity footballers from late 1964. This team finished with a record of 7-2, including wins over the Lowellville High Rockets (13-0 score) and the Union High Scotties (19-6 score). (1964) Full Size

The Warriors varsity basketball squad of 1964-65 started out a disappointing 3-8, but rolled off an impressive eleven straight victories to finish with a record of 14-8. (1965) Full Size

The annual Christmas Dance, hosted by the senior class, held on Saturday, December 20, 1964. (1964) Full Size

Members of the 1964 graduating class, the first to ever graduate from the new high school, walk down the aisles of the auditorium on June 5, 1964. (1964) Full Size

The Mohawk High School band in front of the new school. (1964) Full Size

The senior class of the 1963-64 school year. (1963) Full Size

Mohawk Area School Board during the 1963-64 school year. (1963) Full Size

Senior class officers from the 1964 graduating class. (1963) Full Size

The library of the new high school. (1963) Full Size

Inside the empty gymnasium. (1963) Full Size

Mohawk Area Junior-Senior High School. (1963) Full Size

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(Apr 2016)

(Apr 2016)