Denfeld H. S. - Part of "Red Plan"

The current Denfeld High School building on the corner of 44th Avenue West & 4th Street was 80 years old in 2006. The building first opened on September 8, 1926. The old Denfeld High School building on Central Avenue turned 90 years old in 2005. It first opened in the fall of 1915 and was located in what is now known as MacArthur-West Elementary. The high school that would become Denfeld was called the Duluth Industrial High School and was located in the old Irving School building. This high school began in 1905 with the ninth grade. This high school celebrated it's 100th year in 2005. The Irving School building which is now apartments, was 112 years old in 2006.

The Red Plan calls for renovating Denfeld, and making it one of two high schools in Duluth. The students at Central High would be split between Denfeld and Ordean in the Eastern part of town, (that is now a middle school).

I personally don’t know too much about Denfeld or its building, other than the history I just told you about. I know that recently it’s auditorium, which I hear is beautiful, was refurbished, and there is also a pipe organ, that makes for great musical venues.

My friend, Becca is a teacher there, and she could probably tell us more. She reads my posts, Becca, can you give us some more info on your school? Becca, what would your thoughts be if the “Blue” Plan were chosen and Denfeld would be closed? The "Blue Plan" calls for only one school, and that would be Central. The western part of town would not be happy to have Denfeld close. That part of town already lost a high school that was in Morgan Park (Morgan Park High School). They would argue that the eastern part of town never had to sacrifice a high school. But, the eastern part of town, has had to suffer the loss of many elementary schools, including the elementary school in my Woodland neighborhood.

Hoping to hear some comments on this school issue. Readers....????