Thomas Edison High School

Thomas Edison High School

In the 1960s during the Vietnam War, Thomas Edison High School lost 54 students in Vietnam, the highest number of casualties to the war from any high school in the United States. These losses had an immense impact on the student body and former students continue to praise their time at the school and protect it from the reputation many people try to place on it.
Prior to 1957, the school was called the “Northeast High School”. This change was motivated by changes in the neighborhood since the name was demanded by another school in the area. This was difficult for many students who were proud of their time at Northeast High School and felt closely connected to the school and their fellow classmates. The school was designed by Llyod Titus in the very early 1900s in the “Collegiate Gothic Revival” style which is characterized by the towers and intricate but bold designs. A fire in 2011 brought a final end to the building in its most recent use as Edison High School. The building is no longer standing, but the memory of the school lives on for many former students and teachers. Ron Bower, a former student at Edison High School, remembers his time there: “You can call it whatever you want, the school was the people and I am proud to tell folks that I went there, and as a Vietnam veteran and a solder for 42 years, I am still in awe of those who died in Vietnam and I remember them every day.”

Finkel, K. (2011, August 11). Why remember Edison high school? Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://blog.phillyhistory.org/index.php/2011/08/why-remember-edison-high-school/
Mote, Christopher (2013). “Final Curtain For the Former Edison High.” Hidden City Philly. https://hiddencityphila.org/2013/02/final-curtain-for-the-former-edison-high/