This is the 1919 issue of The Centralian, the Yearbook of Central High School located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Included with the yearbook is a two page Commencement Exercises booklet which we found between two pages in the Yearbook.
The issue is filled with Student Pictures, information on School Organizations and Sports Teams, News on events such as Class Plays, statements by the Class Presidents, Humor, and even vintage Advertisements. Overshadowing the routine events in the lives of the students was the ongoing conflict of World War 1 which was in its waning days, although some 15 million people will have been killed by its conclusion.
In addition to World War 1, students were also dealing with the great Influenza Epidemic that peaked in 1918 and killed 50 million people worldwide, especially targeting the young and healthy. On page 41, Events of the Year gives some insight into the impact on the students with these entries:
Oct. 20. The little flu bugs begin to arrive.
Dec. 2. Flooie Germ, our little friend, is busy again.
Dec. 29. School opens after Flu vacation.
The Yearbook offers a fascinating look into the lives of these High School students during this tumultuous time in history.
The Yearbook measures 11 inches by 8 inches and is about 1/2 inch thick. It weighs 1 pound 6 ounces and has 180 pages. The covers are softcover, printed on a heavy textured non-glossy paper. The inside pages are a heavy glossy stock.
The cover of the Yearbook has edge wear and some light creasing. The first inside page is filled with autographs and is missing a small piece of the lower right corner. There are a few written signatures elsewhere in the Yearbook. Inside pages show some slight yellowing from age around their edges, but are in quite good condition. The overall condition of the yearbook is very good (see pictures above).
This is a wonderful antique Yearbook. It would be a great addition to any collection!
