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A photo c. 1900 photo of the first High School (albeit an expanded and altered building from the original) in Wichita, KS. The original High School building was built by W.H. Sternberg (1832 - 1906) who was the most prolific designer and builder in the Wichita area during one of the greatest economic booms in U.S. history.

This was still the first high school in Wichita as there were no other high school buildings yet, but it was much expanded from the original building. The original building is the portion on the right which has the square limestone-linteled windows on the second floor. Undoubtedly the expansion / alteration project was let out for bid and it's not yet known who built the addition. The entire structure is no longer standing. It was located between Second Street and Third Street on the east side of Emporia.

W.H. Sternberg built more of the civic buildings than any other contractor in the late 1800s... "probably twice as many as have been put by any other contractor in the city", Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan., Chapman Brothers 1888, pgs. 190 - 191. In addition to putting up more of the commercial and government buildings than anyone else he also designed and erected most of the large, upscale homes of the day. Sternberg was well known within elite circles as being the best contractor because he not only had the best workers and did the best quality work, but he offered unique, trend-setting designs in residential style. Many (but not most) of Sternberg's surviving works are listed on a State or National Historic Register. Among some of Sternberg's works that are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places are:
1)Sternberg Mansion
2)Friends University Administration Building
3)Sedgwick County Courthouse
4)Eaton Hotel (formerly the Carey Hotel)
5)Occidental Hotel Building
6)Methodist Episcopal Church in Norwich New York (brick)

Sternberg's unique residential designs include ideas suggestive of Stanford White and Issac G. Perry (both prominent architects from New York State). Sternberg built structures architected by both of these prominent architects. In addition to creating stunning homes on the outside, Sternberg was also known for creating comfortable, usable homes on the inside such as using spaces and angles that seemed to enlarge the interior spaces of the home - giving the home a "grand" effect but at the same time following a floor plan that provided the occupant with easy comfort and use. Many of Sternberg's floor plans are similar and many of the exterior features on his homes reappear from one home to another. The height of style was Sternberg's own home at 1065 N. Waco Avenue in Wichita, KS which was built (in part) to showcase all of the trend-setting designs that could reasonably be fabricated. A model home of sorts, this strategy worked well for Sternberg and home buyers flocked to Sternberg to have him design and build their new home. Following is a quote from the Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan; Chapman Brothers 1888, pages 190 - 191, "The residence of Mr. Sternberg, a handsome and costly structure, is beautifully located on a rise of ground commanding a fine view of its surroundings. Within and without it bears the evidence of refined tastes and ample means, and is universally admired by all who have occasion to pass it." The Monday, September 6th, 1886 Beacon contained an article about the construction of Sternberg mansion, "Mr. Sternberg is building for his own use a fine residence on the corner of 10th and Waco streets. Judging it by the foundation it will be one of the largest and finest in the city."

Regarding the expanded high school above, it's not yet known if this school was named after someone. It was common during the day to name schools after notable literary or academically influential persons. Following is a brief history of schools in Wichita, KS, taken from "A History of Wichita Schools" written in 1893...

"In 1868, the first cabin was built where the city of Wichita now stands. In 1870, the town was founded. In 1871, the first church and first schoolhouse were built. In 1872, the first railroad was constructed, the first bank opened, and the first newspaper started. The population increased from the occupants of one cabin, in 1868, to 50, as indicated by the census of 1870; 4,911, by the census of 1880; 23,835, by the census of 1890, and 28,000, the estimate in 1892.

Following the first cabins came the first schoolhouse, with William Finn, now a resident of Sedgwick, as schoolmaster. Mr. Finn's school commenced November 1, 1869, and continued three months. His average attendance was 17. His salary was to be $45 per month, and was to be raised by subscription. Mr. Finn sent to Topeka for the books for his school, paying for them out of his own pocket. Not half of the money subscribed was raised, and Mr.

The Maurice W. Levy Mansion at 204 North Topeka in Wichita, KS was designed and built by William Henry Sternberg (1832 - 1906). Mr. Levy was originally from California and started working for the Wichita National Bank as a cashier. He became president of the bank in 1887 and erected this house at that time. Scant few pictures of this house exist today. Interior woodwook was undoubtedly of the finest quality. No known interior photos exist, but from the exterior, it appears to follow a familiar Sternberg floor plan. Note the arched window in the middle of the fireplace flue. This window was likely over the mantle of the fireplace on the first floor. The roof was slate, but instead of diamond designs in the roof, Sternberg incorporated a geometric flower design. This grand residence was the home of the Wichita Commercial Club for many years (equivalent to the Chamber of Commerce today). This home "hung on" for years until commercial development finally overtook it to make room for a parking lot.

Years before this house was built, Sternberg was promoting himself as both an “architect and builder” of homes, specifically “designing and drafting” services. An advertisement for Sternberg, Hall & Co in the 1869 - 1870 Chenango County, New York Directory noted, “Being Architects and Builders themselves, they know just what is wanted for a house and how to prepare it. Give them your patronage if you would have everything in first-class style.” Some have tended to think of W.H. Sternberg as mainly a contractor, but indeed the architecting and design services that he did himself were a substantial portion of his business.

There is only one half-moon window in this entire house - that on the third floor over the main entryway overlooking the front of the residence. Other confirmed Sternberg-designed and built homes also have only one half-moon window and those windows are also only on the third floor, although the exact positioning of them on the third floor varies. More often than not those half-moon windows overlook the front of the residence. The exception to this would be Sternberg Mansion in which the third floor half-moon window faces south overlooking the main portion of the block

Comments, suggestions, information and ideas are all welcome and appreciated!

This photo courtesy of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, (www.WichitaHistory.org).