In the early to mid 20th century, monumental high schools were popular, as there were apparently many more public school students. Like banks, high school architects tried to impart permanency by creating mini-Roman temples, as the school was entered under flanks of colums topped by a pediment, a feature that originated in Greece during the classical period BC. Among schools built in this style were Franklin K. Lane in Cypress Hills (seen on this page), John Adams High in Ozone Park (seen here), Gouverneur Morris High in the Bronx, and the biggest high school I’ve ever seen, William Dickinson High on Palisade Avenue in Jersey City.
Bay Ridge, too, has an entry in the Monumental High School competition. I lived in “Ridge” from 1957-1993 but I didn’t attend Fort Hamilton High School, which has lorded it over Shore Road at 83rd Street since 1941. It resembles the archetypal high school that Wally Cleaver or Richie Cunningham would have attended, and it’s much more visible in the colder months from Shore Road Park. Real-life alumni/ae include Janet Yellin, former chair of the US Federal Reserve; the NBA’s Albert and Bernard King, and Utah Jazz coach Frank Leyden; and rocker C.C. DeVille.
I do have a past with Fort Hamilton High. In the spring, St. Anselm Youth Activities had its annual gala at FHHS, and I was able to meet several well-known (at the time) sports stars, whose names escape me now. The ceremony was held in May, just about the time the weather was warming up and I was getting giddy thinking about my upcoming summer vacation. I do recall getting an award and shaking hands with some of the sports stars, none of which I knew because I didn’t become a sports fan until about age 11.
Both the school’s wikipedia page and its own webpage are silent about its architect (many schools are not forthcoming about their architecture for some reason) and I’d like to know more about what’s in the school’s tower, which to my recollection can be glimpsed from as far away as 4th Avenue and 84th Street. No doubt, fine views of the bay and Staten Island are available from it. Were you a student at FHH and went up in the tower? Comments are open.
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8/14/26
2 comments
My grandfather attended Fort Hamilton High School and claimed to be part of its first ever graduating class in 1945. I remember him telling stories of the big, beautiful new school opening in the neighborhood and his excitement in getting to go there.
This property has a history of sports predating the High School. In the late 19th century, the superblock belonged to Crescent Athletic Club. Prior to that, this was the Van Brunt farm, a family descended from colonial Dutch settlers. The sports club went bankrupt in 1939 and the property was subsequently developed as a high school.