Warren Harding High School, or as it is often called, Harding High School, evokes a sense of nostalgia for many Bridgeport locals. The school, named after the then-recently deceased President Warren G. Harding, was a cornerstone of the community when its doors opened on September 9, 1925.
The Pillars of the Past
The original Warren Harding High School building, a symbol of times gone by, was located at 1734 Central Avenue. It was designed by the renowned architect C. Wellington Walker, who infused the structure with a touch of classic Georgian-style architecture and Greek columns.
It stood as a monument to education for 93 long years, shaping countless lives and etching itself into the memories of all those who had the privilege of walking its halls.
The Pride of the Presidents
Harding High has always been more than just a place of learning; it has been a breeding ground for athletes and a battlefield for sporting glory. The Presidents, as the sports teams of Harding High are known, have participated in traditional fall/winter/spring sports seasons.
The athletic program at Harding High includes football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, baseball, golf, track, and softball, allowing students to explore their passions and talents beyond academics.
The New Era of Harding High
In 2018, a new chapter began in the history of Harding High. A state-of-the-art building was constructed to continue the legacy of the school. This four-story, 207,000-square-foot structure, built on a former General Electric factory site, cost a staggering $107 million.
The new building, filled with modern amenities and security features, including bulletproof glass and 130 security cameras, symbolizes the school’s commitment to providing a safe and conducive environment for learning and growth.
The Hall of Fame
Warren Harding High School has seen many students rise to achieve remarkable feats. From professional athletes to public servants, the list of notable alums is a testament to the school’s commitment to nurturing talent and ambition. The names of
- John Edward Bagley, a professional basketball player
- Tony Elliott and Mike L. Jones, professional football players
- Walt Kelly, the cartoonist who created “Pogo”
- Fay Honey Knopp, a Quaker minister and advocate for peace, civil rights, and prison abolition
- Samuel J. Tedesco, Mayor of Bridgeport and Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
among others, are etched in the annals of Harding High’s history.
The Echoes Within the Empty Halls
The original Harding High School building was closed in 2018. The school community, filled with mixed emotions, relocated a few blocks away to the new building.
However, The old structure was left standing, filled with remnants of its past – furniture, equipment, supplies, and numerous items that bear witness to the lives it shaped over the decades. Once a bustling hub of learning and activities, this abandoned site now stands silent, carrying the echoes of laughter and learning within its walls.
The Future of the Past
The fate of the old Warren Harding High School building is yet to be decided. The Bridgeport city administration is reviewing redevelopment proposals for the site, one of which has been submitted by Bridgeport Hospital.
The city has not yet disclosed any details about these proposals. However, there is a great deal of interest and speculation about the future of the old Harding High School building, with some hoping that whatever its future holds, the echoes of its past will not be forgotten.
The Leftovers of Learning: A Deep Dive into the Past
Shockwaves rippled through the community when the actual state of the old Warren Harding High School was revealed. The building, once a beacon of education, now stood as a monument to wastefulness, filled with the remnants of its past.
The abandoned school seemed frozen in time. Classrooms and hallways appeared as if evacuated abruptly, with textbooks still on shelves, artwork and banners adorning the walls, and preserved specimens in science labs. Yet, amidst this, certain areas showed piles of desks, chairs, and equipment as if prepared for an unexpected move.
Despite the school community’s shift to a new, state-of-the-art campus in 2018, the old building was left largely untouched. Instead, the district handed over the property to the city in 2020 after ruling out alternative uses, leaving it vacant and falling victim to break-ins and vandalism.
Critics of the situation pointed the finger at the local board of education, accusing them of leaving the building in its current state without trying to salvage or distribute the leftover materials to other schools in the district.
As a result, the board was accused of abandoning the building and its contents, constituting what some saw as an “absolute waste of resources.”
In response to the controversy, discussions began about reviewing and improving policies for closing facilities and disposing of equipment. The idea was to prevent such situations from occurring in the future by learning from past mistakes and ensuring the responsible distribution of valuable resources.
With the city owning the building now, a call was made for a thorough site clean-up. As the community grappled with the revelations about Harding High, there was a general sentiment that this could be an opportunity for the city to revitalize the area.
However, the plans for the site’s future remain uncertain. The sight of the forsaken school is a severe illustration of the crucial need for conscientious management of public facilities and the potential repercussions of disregard.
