[2] On September 18, 1868, the Board of Education authorized the expenditure of $25,000 to erect a Girls High School[3] on the southeast corner of Stockton and Bush streets,[4][5] where the existing building stood.
A grand jury indicted the contractor, J.P. McCormick, and others for collusion to defraud the county treasury.
The fire was blamed on sparks from a worker's blowtorch during work on the building, which was surrounded by scaffolding.
"So was Charleston dancing in the hallways, smoking in the toilets and sneaking downtown for chocolate sundaes.
"[13] The last term ended in spring 1952, and the campus became Benjamin Franklin Junior High School.