Iowa City High School celebrating 70th anniversary

Iowa City High School will kickoff its yearlong 70th anniversary celebration with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at the school, 1900 Morningside Drive.

The public celebration is the first of several events to celebrate 70 years in the school's historic home on Morningside Drive. The open house and rededication ceremony at the school will include speakers, 1930s-era jazz music, refreshments, building tours and displays of City High memorabilia.

Charlie Gay, president of the first senior class to graduate from the building, will be among the featured speakers. Abby Lee, City High's current senior class president, will offer perspective from today's generation. Other speakers include City High Principal Mark Hanson and former Principal Howard Vernon.

A display of historic artifacts and memorabilia will be presented and will include posters, yearbooks and an across-the-years view of building history. Many historic mementos have been loaned by school alumni.

The kickoff celebration will be followed by homecoming week events, including the homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Sept. 30th with a barbecue following the parade. City High's homecoming football game will be held on Oct. 2, with Hall of Fame inductions taking place between the sophomore and varsity game. A fireworks display will follow the varsity game.

City High was founded in 1858 and was housed at three other locations before it was established on Morningside Drive. The current facility was built in 1939, partially funded by a grant from the Public Works Administration on land that previously served as the county fairgrounds.