In this column by Arch Merrill, he uses some old pictures as the basis for his story.

Opening of School Term Was a Picnic!

By Arch Merrill

Originally published: Sept. 10, 1961

EXCURSION BOAT – The J. D. Scott steams into the end of the pier at Sea Breeze. This wasn’t just yesterday, however. It was 56 years ago, in September, 1905. It came from Charlotte.

THE PICTURES ON THIS PAGE may bring back memories to some former pupils of old Washington Public School 26.

Those onetime charges of Principal Samuel Parker Moultrop are bound to have some silver in their hair, for the pictures were taken on Sept. 4, 1905.

The occasion was a picnic-excursion to Sea Breeze, marking the opening of the school term, a delightful innovation for all concerned.

Things have changed in 50 years. In 1905 School 26 was at Clifford Avenue and Thomas Street, the present site of Edison Tech. which supplanted Washington Junior High School. There’s a School 26 on Bernard Street now. Until a few years ago it was the Paul Revere Trade School.

All of which is rather complicated. So let’s go back to the picnic cruise and the tranquil days of 1905.

The pupils and teachers of old School 26 made the trip to Sea Breeze from Charlotte on the old side-wheeler, the J. D Scott, operated by the celebrated little skipper of that name.

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ON THE SAND – These picnickers, who arrived on the J. D. Scott, congregate on the beach at Sea Breeze. This was the 1905 picnic of the teachers, students of old Public School 26.

ONE PICTURE shows the picnickers on the sands of Sea Breeze—in garb that seems quaint today, as well as probably uncomfortable on a hot day in early September.

Sea Breeze was in its heyday as a resort in 1905, with a long pier where many boats docked. The porches of the Lake Shore Hotel, also known as the Gables, may be seen at the left. The old hotel went up in flames a quarter of a century ago.

The other picture shows the picnickers at the dock waiting for the approaching J. D. Scott to take them aboard for the return voyage to Charlotte. Both pictures were lent by Colonel Moultrop’s grand-daughter, Mrs. Alan MacNab of 40 Laney Rd.

The principal of old School 26, Colonel Moultrop, was a picturesque, figure with a flowing white mustache, who, on horseback, led many a patriotic and civic parade. His military title came from his peacetime activities in leading drill corps and similar organizations. After 61 years of teaching, he retired in 1929. He pioneered in advancing technical training and the establishment of evening schools. Also he invented a movable school desk Many will remember Samuel P. Moultrop.

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TAKING A QUICK backward glance at 1905, we find Rochester, with a population of 181,000. raised to the status of a first class city. James G. Cutler was its mayor. That year the cornerstone of the Main Street Armory was laid and excavation for the Barge Canal began in the Town of Greece.

Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House and Frank Higgins of Olean was Governor of New York. The Japanese captured Port Arthur from the Russians and the island empire became a world power Jim Jeffries abdicated as heavyweight boxing champion in favor of an obscure Marvin Hart. McGraw’s Giants won the
World Series from Connie Macks Athletics.

Hat pins were extra long that year and the Anna Held petticoat with a wide flounce was in style. People were reading “The Clansman,” by Thomas Dixon and “The Man on the Box” by Harold McGrath. Maude Adams was starring in “The Little Minister” and Shaw’a play, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” was suppressed by New York police as salacious.

The song hits included “Wait ’til the Sun Shines, Nellie,” “In My Merry Oldsmobile,” “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree” and “Where the River Shannon Flows.”

The horseless carriage was a rich man’s fad. It was still the Dobbin and Democrat Wagon Age. There were steamboats on the lakes and bays and many excursions on the railroads. Rocking chairs creaked on front porches.

And old School 26 had a picnic on the sands of Sea Breeze.