A Look Back at Tracy High School
Tracy High School is a staple in the Tracy community and has been since its dedication as The West Side Union High School on May 1st, 1917. Seeing many changes over the decades, the original mission-style building designed by architect W.H. Weeks was torn down in 2006 after being condemned by the State of California. Although the original building is now long gone a new school was constructed in same taste, and erected in 2008 in honor of the original. Prior to the construction of the High School, students were taught on the second story classrooms at Tracy School located at Central Avenue. But before 1912, due to lack of facilities, some students were forced to attend classes as far as Stockton.
The original design of the school was also constructed as a unit system. This meant that the school could be added to as needed without altering the style of the buildings. The unit system came in handy as the original structure consisted of only fourteen classrooms and an auditorium with a seating maximum of one thousand people. Besides being used as an educational facility, Tracy High’s auditorium was utilized as a meeting center for the Tracy Farm Center and numerous civic events. Upon the completion of the high school, the town held a parade, which ended at the new building. During the preceding presentations, local citizen Dr. J.S. West received honor for his determination and efforts in its construction, and the Tracy chapter of the Odd Fellows organization officially dedicated the West Side Union High School.
The school did not stay idol for long, and in 1922 Tracy High School saw the construction of a gymnasium for the purposes of meeting California State requirements. In 1927 the school expanded further with the addition of the football field, named after a San Francisco novelist Peter B Kyne and his Bohemian Club (who donated money that was necessary for early sports.) The first two sports played at Tracy High School were baseball and football, both run by head coach G.M. “Bull” Hunter and assistant coach Pat Bone. Although the football team gave it their all, they did not win a single game in their eight game season. Despite this, their football program grew and several National Football League players including Nick Eddy, Scott Stringer, Bob Swenson and Matt Overton claim Tracy High School as their Alma mater!