In 1838, Nathan Hedges opened the doors to a drafty, old building, so that a motley group of boys would receive an education beyond primary school.  By conducting the first high school program in the state, and the third to be established in the United States.  Mr. Hedges unwittingly became a part of New Jersey history.  Originally labeled Newark High, the school’s name was later changed to Barringer High School. 

At the time, the city of Newark was a small town of 16,000 inhabitants.  Horse and buggies were the chief method of transportation.  Candles were the source of evening light.  Farms and large gardens were the central means of food staples.  Business activities were conducted on a short, unpaved street in the center of town.  Far out on the edge of town there existed a swamp, later to become Branch Brook Park.  Nearby was an old quarry called “goat hill” a grazing area for goats.  Eventually this hill became the site of Barringer High School. 

The original high school house was actually the first story of a building on Bank Street.  Then in 1852, The Board of Education authorized the acquisition of a lot (90 feet front) on the corner of Washington and Linden Streets.  On January 7, 1853, although still incomplete, the new building was opened.  The building was 3 stories high, and had a student population of 498 boys and girls, Isaiah Peckhan was the first Principal of Newark High School, and Eliza Chase was appointed Head of the Female Department. 

In 1875, Dr. William N. Barringer was hired to succeed Mr. George B. Sears as Superintendent of Schools.  Dr. Barringer, originally from Troy, N.Y. assumed his new position with great enthusiasm.  The effort, courage, and faith he imparted to the Newark school system exerted great influence on the youth of this city.

The Board of Education eventually realized, that a new high school was necessary.  Dr. Barringer saw this dream fulfilled, when construction plans for this new high school building were officially adopted.  This tract of land for the second building, which is today the faculty parking lot, was far from the center of the city.

The class of 1898 was the last to graduate from the Washington and Linden Street building.  Construction of the new school began in 1878 and was completed in 1899 costing $300,000.00 dollars to build.  It was regarded as among the finest architectural products of the city.  At that time, stone markers outlined the ground plan for the Sacred Heart Cathedral.  Also wo4rk had begun on the swamp to transform it gradually into a park.  Thus, the new high school was set on a veritable, “Acropolis of Beauty”.

Soon after the opening of the new building, Dr. Hovey retired.  He had served as principal of the high school for twenty-nine years.   It was in 1900 that Mr. Waytland E. Stearns, better know as “Pop Stearns” became principal of Newark High.

In 1907, the name of Newark High School was officially changed to Barringer, in honor of Dr. Barringer.  July 21, 1907, was the year the first class graduated from Barringer High School.

When America entered World War I, there were few students in Barringer old enough to be drafted.  Nevertheless, many of the boys left school before graduation and enlisted in the Armed Services.

In 1930, Mr. Wayland Stearns resigned, bringing to an end thirty years of notable service.  He was succeeded by Mr. Raymond B. Gurley, who came to Barringer with and exemplary record of service in the Newark School System.

Mr. Gurley retired as principal of Barringer in 1939, His successor was Michael McGreal.  Mr. McGreal a man admired by the students and faculty was known for his fairness and good judgment.  During his administration the Student Council was founded.  Mr. McGreal remained as principal for the next 6 years.

In 1941, war again intruded on student life, During World War II Barringer students participated in various community support activities.  The physical education classes practiced commando training to prepare for selective service.

In 1945, Dr. Rodger B. Saylor became the new principal of Barringer.  When Dr. Saylor retired in 1956, he was succeeded by Mr. William R. Cain. 

The 1960’s and into the 1970’s were years of constant turmoil to our culture, and to the existing educational system.  From the shocking murder of important public figures, to the battles in Vietnam War, the country survived a decade of disturbances.  It was an era of upheaval and change, and Barringer building opened to a large student body in 1964.

A new Barringer building opened to a large student body in 1964.  The old building was removed because “it was to costly to attempt to correct the many deficiencies in the building.

In 1969, Mr.Cain retired and Mr. Pat Restaino became the new principal.  As a former Student Council President a Barringer, Pat Restaino demonstrated the organizational skills to led the school through some of its most difficult years.  Mrs. Marie Bagby, a former Guidance Counselor and Vice Principal at Barringer, assumed the leadership of the school in 1979.  With her style of fairness and compassion, she quickly became a popular principal. 

The year 1986 marked the appointment of Ms. Rose Serra as principal of Barringer.  A patient and understanding person she has devoted most of her life to the education of children. 

1988 Barringer celebrated its 150^th anniversary with a party involving over 2000 alumni and supporters.  It was a unique milestone in New Jersey history.

In 1991, Ben O’Neal became principal.  In 1996 Mr. O’Neal became Assistant Superintendent in charge of secondary schools.  Vice Principal Mr. Alan Alvarez, an East Side graduate, assumed the principal’s position.  In 2002, Mr. Hector Bonilla, a former Vice Principal from a Trenton High School became principal. 

2002 Barringer celebrated it 165^th anniversary with over 500 alumni and supporters.  It again was a unique milestone in New Jersey history.  We had the honor of having the oldest Barringer Alumni present at this affair.  At 102, Mr. Yardley Chittick of Concord, N.H. attended this affair.  Chittick completed the requisite four years at Barringer, from 1913 – 1917.  

Today with students of several ethnic backgrounds, Barringer is unique in the diversity of its population.  This allows and infusion of contrasting cultures, values and beliefs all blending together into a multi-colored fabric.  We should be proud of the many rich and lustrous traditions associated with our school.   

Principals of Newark/Barringer High School

1838	Nathan Hedges
1854 - 1866	Isiah Peckham - Male Department
	Eliza Chase - Female Department
1866 - 1870	J. Dunlap
1870 - 1871	Lewis M. Johnson
1871 - 1900	Edmund Otis Hovey
1900 - 1901	Clara Green
1901 - 1931	Wayland E. Stearns
1931 - 1939	Raymond B. Gurley
1939 - 1945	Michael R. McGreal
1945 - 1956	Roger B. Saylor
1956-  1968	William R. Cain
1968 - 1969	David Blank
1969 - 1979	Pat Restaino
1979 - 1986	Marie Bagby
1986 - 1991	Ben O'Neal
1996 - 2002	Alan Alvarez
2002 - Present	Hector Bonilla