Tucked away in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pa. lies the thriving community of Bethel Park.
Located just 10 miles south of Pittsburgh, Bethel Park is a 12-square-mile community of tree-lined streets and rolling hills. More than 32,000 residents call Bethel Park home.
This charming suburb has been a place of residence for families and professionals alike for generations.
At the heart of this community stands BPHS, an institution that has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of countless students, but many have never explored its humble beginnings, notable milestones, and enduring legacy.
Originally named Bethel Township High School, BPHS opened its doors in 1905 at the corner of South Park Road and Park Avenue, featuring just two classrooms and an auditorium staffed by four teachers.
Constructed for a modest $6,400, the building still stands today, currently undergoing restoration by the Bethel Park Historical Society.
The first class of 15 students, five males, and ten females graduated in 1909.
In 1914, the high school changed to a four-year program, and in 1920, extracurricular activities began.
Enrollment at the high school level outgrew the original building, and the students permanently switched school locations in 1934.
Over the years, the number of students increased, making new additions to the high school on Park Avenue as the years went on.
During the construction of a new addition to the school on July 11, 1939, a fire broke out and heavily damaged the building, but construction continued.
On Sept. 20, 1940, an event was held to commemorate the new addition to the building, soon followed by 1949 when the school’s first gymnasium was added in 1952.
An upper wing was constructed to meet growing enrollment and student educational needs.
In 1956, the Board of School Directors purchased an 80-acre plot on Church Road, known at that time as McCormack Farm.
Plans were drawn to create a college-like environment, and in the fall of 1959, sophomores, juniors, and seniors moved to their six-building campus while ninth graders stayed at the junior high.
Ninth graders returned to campus in the fall of 1964 and were excluded again beginning in 1976. Finally, ninth graders returned to the campus again in 1985 and have remained since.
Something many fail to realize is that in 1964 the school district added “Park” to its name, officially becoming BPHS.
The Park Avenue school was demolished in 1990 and is now the location of the Bethel Park Community Center.
Before the school was demolished, the Bethel High School compass-style emblem, linking the gymnasium and auditorium in the old school, was carefully removed.
The emblem is 9-feet, 2-inches in diameter and constructed from terrazzo, and now proudly adorns the lobby of the Community Center.
In June of 1994, a $20 million renovation included new roofs, ceilings, terrazzo tile and carpeting, site work, painting, elevators, and plumbing, as well as renovations to the gymnasium and industrial arts building which would be completed in 1996.
During the late 2000s, plans were made for a new high school to replace the campus, and the idea was proposed for security reasons as well as the fact that the old school was falling apart from age and corners cut during the 1996 renovation.
Ground was broken on the new school in 2010, south of the old campus next to the stadium parking lot.
In 2012, the new school was finished, and students and staff were transferred to the new school for the second semester of the 2011–12 school year.
As the old school went down, new practice fields and parking lots were built over the remains.
The only remaining parts of the old campus are the Bladerunners Ice Rink complex, Black Hawk Drive, Black Hawk Stadium, and Purkey Memorial Field, along with a few sidewalks that once connected the campus to Black Hawk Drive.
As Bethel Park looks to the future, it is clear that the community’s strong sense of pride and tradition will continue to shape its growth and development.
The story of BPHS, from its humble beginnings to its current state, is a testament to the power of community and the importance of preserving our collective history.
Today, as students walk the halls of the new high school, they are part of a legacy that spans over a century, a legacy that is rooted in the values of hard work, determination, and community.
As the town of Bethel Park continues to thrive, the story of BPHS will likely remain an integral part of its identity, a reminder of the community’s commitment to being built of tradition and focused on the future.
