Read more about Birmingham's early twentieth century schools

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In 1912, the increasing number of Birmingham’s elementary students required a new building, and the prevailing theory (which still applies) was to keep similar ages together, especially younger children. The Barnum school was built at Frank and Purdy Streets, and its size reflected the large numbers of young children in the growing town. 7th-12th graders remained at the Hill School. 

By 1942, the growing student population required that Barnum School 

become the junior high for Birmingham. The building eventually became disused, changed hands, and was demolished in 2008.In its place is Barnum Park, which has the original school entry portal retained as a memorial.  Barnum School's Flint Faience & Tile Company storybook fireplace, a rare example of the short-lived Michigan pottery, was rescued from the building and has been installed as a permanent exhibit at the Birmingham Museum. Read more about the Barnum fireplace display.
1918-1974:  The Baldwin School

The cornerstone of Baldwin High School was laid in 1916. The school opened in 1918.  The venerable Martha Baldwin provided the means to build the school in her will (specifying its name and that it have an auditorium and separate bathrooms for men and women).  It was located at Maple and Chester, where the current Chester Street parking deck is located.    

The more things change, the more they stay the same…is a truism that can be applied to Baldwin High.  Like Hill School, it was sometimes referred to as Birmingham High School as well.  It took  on that name because the Hill School had changed from a high school to an elementary school in 1917, just before the Baldwin School was built.  Some years later in 1952, Baldwin High itself became an elementary school when another new high school was built.  Adding to the confusion: this new high school itself was also briefly called Birmingham High School!  Shortly after it was built, it was re-named Seaholm High. In 1974, Baldwin closed altogether, and the building was demolished.  (Images: Baldwin High School, c.1920, and diploma of Edna Taylor, valedictorian of Birmingham High School at the Hill School, 1916) 

Learn about a Baldwin student club that was preparing students for the cutting edge field of radio communications in a video below: