#TBT: 12 things to 'love' about Dayton school days 100 years ago

By: Kamron Taylor, Staff Writer

We know. It’s hard. The start of the new school year can be a major pain. First, you’ve got the pressure to pick out the perfect outfit for the first day of school, and then there’s the pressure to find a date for homecoming.

If you’re a parent, then you’re probably struggling around this time to make sure your kids wake up in time for homeroom. Oh, and what they heck are they going to eat for breakfast?

High school students are charged with the arduous task of figuring out how to get through eight long class periods. At least elementary students get a break in the middle of the day to run around a playground for 30 minutes.

College students these days probably have it worst of all. I mean, how are you possibly going to find time to schedule in every fraternity and sorority party this weekend and still be conscious for Bio Chemistry on Monday?

Think about how "easy" it would have been going to school 100 years ago? No pressure, simple living. Right?

If you’re still saying that by the end of this list, you’re right. You were born in the wrong century.

Here is a look back in photos at Dayton school days in the early 1900s. My how the times have changed:

1. Gender appreciation

Oakwood High School Auditorium - Dec. 12, 1939 (Located on Far Hills Ave. Built in 1924 on the C.C. Harman farm.) (Source: Dayton History)

Women on the left, men on the right. That's just the way it was.
2. Calisthenics

Webster School - Wand Drill - northwest corner of Kiefer and Harker streets in Dayton in 1912. (Source: Dayton History)

Because the glutes need sculpting.
3. Fresh air

Washington School open-air period, Dayton. (Source: Dayton History)

To keep from getting Tuberculosis.

Seriously, it was believed that fresh-air periods would prevent widespread cases of TB after the WWII.
4. Sanitary drinking fountains

Hawthorne School sanitary drinking fountain, Dayton. (Source: Dayton History)

Ahhhhhh, fresh.
5. Gym class for ladies

Dayton Schools, Central School, southwest corner of Fourth and Wilkinson steets. Gymnastic exercise to phonograph music on May 8, 1912. (Source: Dayton History)
6. Gym class for gentlemen

Gym at Moraine Park School, Dayton. (Source: Dayton History)

Favoritism?
7. Gym for both ladies and gentlemen

Wyoming St. School, gymnasium, Dayton on Dec. 13, 1904. (Source: Dayton History)

Because what is life if you can't live on the edge?
8. Basket weaving

Dayton Schools basketry Class at Wyoming St. School in Dayton in 1904. (Source: Dayton History)

It's for the smart kids.
9. Woodworking class

Dayton schools, Stivers Manual Training High School, Woodworking Class, May 1, 1912. (Opened in January 1909. Combined the students from East High School and the Manual Training Classes, which included Domestic Arts classes for the girls.) (Source: Dayton History)

How else did you think laptops were made?
10. Is that a chalkboard?

Dayton schools, Van Cleve School, New Education Reading, 1st Grade, Helena Street & Forest Avenue on Feb. 24, 1913. (Source: Dayton History)

Why yes, I think it is. And real books, too! Ancient.
11. Homemaking class

Dayton schools, Parker First Year High School, Overflow Cooking Class. (School located on the southwest corner of First and St. Clair streets). (Source: Dayton History)

A lady must be two things, classy and fabulous.
12. Medical inspections

Dayton Schools, Franklin School (located on northwest corner of Fifth and Findlay streets). Medical Inspection. (Source: Dayton History)

Can you imagine this?