The Building

During the Great Depression, when many people were out of work, the Federal Government gave money to build schools through the WPA (Work Projects Administration), so that people could work and earn money to feed their families, and students could go to school in an up-to-date facility. Rufus King was one of the schools born of that idea.

The designs and execution of the building's plaster work, stone work, wood work, and other details were supplied by local artists and craftspeople like Shepherd, Potter, and Frazier.  Their art deco style -- so characteristic of the period -- makes Rufus King a special gem among its modern, stark, spartan peers of cinderblock and few windows.   Construction began in the spring of 1932 and -- excluding land acquisition -- cost $1,300,000.

It is interesting to note that the south side's Casmir Pulaski High School -- which later got a swimming pool -- was built with many of the same architectural features, though the tower is one story shorter.  By building these schools, the government gave jobs while investing in the future. The investment has paid off many times over in the quality of the students that have graduated and continue to graduate from these schools. Another case proving that money spent on education is not lost, but comes back with interest.

The architect's plan for the 12-acre tract of land north of Capitol Drive was originally for a six-year school to serve approximately 2,000 students.  The plan also proposed either a swimming pool or a stadium. Rufus King got the 15,000-seat North Stadium, which featured a regulation football field, a quarter-mile running track, a practice field, a hard-surfaced playground for outdoor gymnastics, and space for future tennis courts, which were eventually installed.  However, in 1978, the stadium structure needed extensive repair, and was razed and replaced with an open field and track with aluminum bleachers and metal fence.

Rufus King recently underwent an 11-million dollar renovation, adding technological advances, a science wing, and a new library. The school was awarded the Preservation Award by Historic Milwaukee, Inc. for the architectural consistency of the renovation.

Historical Timeline

Rufus King High School opened its door in September of 1934 with 1,225 students in the 7th, 8th and 9th grades.  By spring of 1935, the enrollment had grown to 1,440.  The first graduation was held on Februrary 3, 1938, with 114 graduates.  The June 1938 graduating class was 263.  Some interesting items from King’s history are:

• In 1934, after many debates, the students chose blue for loyalty and gold for worth as the school colors.
• An important part of King was its early establishment of an honor system.  The principal at that time, Ralph Chamberlin, believed in “giving students the opportunity to learn to do the right things.”
• King graduated its first class in 1938 in an outdoor ceremony.
• In 1939, according to an old school newspaper item, King followed the “modern trend” and did not have final exams.
• Also, in 1939, King established its public address system at a cost of $3700, $2500 of which came from the School Board, $270 from the graduating class, and the rest from the profits of the bookstore, candy counter, and plays.
• In 1946, the trophy case in the main hall was donated by the classes of 1945 and 1946.
• Also, in 1946, King started awarding the Rufus King War Memorial Scholarship.  The money for this scholarship was collected from 16 paper drives held in 1944 and 1945, and from many other donations.  The original scholarship was for $50.  Today this scholarship is known as the Ralph G. Chamberlin Scholarship, and the award is equal to the cost of one year’s tuition at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• Three times in King’s history 7th and 8th graders have been housed in the King building.  First was in 1934, when the school was opened.
• The second time was in 1953 when the enrollment in the high school was low.
• The third time was in 1978 because of the change over to being a specialty school.