History of Manual

Manual High School has a proud legacy as one of Denver’s oldest and most dynamic public high schools. Founded in the early 1890s as Manual Training High School to provide practical and academic education, Manual quickly became a cornerstone of its community and one of the first schools in the city to educate women and African Americans.

Over more than a century, Manual has evolved with the needs of its students and city—embracing innovation in academics, serving a richly diverse student body, and producing distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions locally and beyond. Today, Manual continues that tradition of achievement and resilience, preparing students to excel in college, careers, and life as engaged members of the world.

ALUMNI CENTER | SHOWCASE MANUAL | MANUAL TIMELINE | MANUAL HIGH SCHOOL

Manual High School Alumni Center

The showcases contain but a fraction of memorabilia that Jim collected and he had a dream of a permanent home to display the rest. Although he died in 2023, his dream was not forgotten. His friends and colleagues carried on. Jim’s goal was realized in 2025 with the opening of the Manual High School Alumni Center, in memory of the man who never gave up on the dream to share with Manual students, staff, alumni and the community.

The Alumni Center is located on the first floor of Manual across from the main office. It is open by appointment.

Alumni Oral Histories

Friends of Manual has undertaken an Oral History Project to gather and preserve the rich history of Manual High School. Our goal is to capture the stories of alumni, highlighting the school’s impact on their lives and its lasting influence on the Manual community.

These recorded interviews will help document Manual’s history and deepen understanding of the school’s role in shaping generations of students and the community it serves.

Check back often for new interviews.

1940-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029

BOLTing Thru the Decades

Jim McNally was a 1957 graduate of Manual High School, teacher of U.S. History for over 25 years and served as the Friends of Manual Board of Directors Historian. Manual has a rich and proud history of achievement. Throughout the years, Jim gathered memorabilia from former Manual students as far back as the 1930's.

The Showcase Manual display cases are a tribute to the school and its graduates. Through the combined efforts of Jim McNally, Al Schnegelberger, and Marge Taniwaki, and with the help of generous donors, the exhibit can be found outside the Thunderdome at Manual High School.

History of Manual Timeline

1876

Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia – Russian exhibit from Imperial Technical School on manual training impressed educators from Denver

1885

School Board recommends the idea of manual training school

1892

Construction of Manual begins

1894

Manual opens on April 3rd. Charles A. Bradley selected as first principal

1904

Jimmie Steele (Class of 1896) returns to teach for 40 years

1905

Manual becomes a four-year school

1917

Cadet program replaced by US Army’s ROTC Program

1918

World War I begins - 28 Bolts die in the war

1928

Principal Bradley retires – replaced by Sam R. Hill

1929

Manual returns to a three-year school due to the junior high concept

1936

Bruno Konopka punts football 99 yards

1937

Principal Hill retires - replaced by Peter C. Holm

1939

Principal Holm is replaced by Charles D. Hall
Boy’s 1st State Basketball Championship

1942

“Thunderbolt Fight Song” becomes school song

1945

Teacher Richard Orange and at least 50 Bolts killed in World War II

1948, 1949 & 1950

Boy’s State Basketball Champions

1949

Principal Hall is replaced by William L. Miller

1952

School Board drops “training” from school’s name

1953

“Goodbye to Old Manual” reception. Three alarm fire destroys most of the old building

1954

New Manual High School opens

1955

Boy’s 5th State Basketball Championship

1956

Boy’s 1st State Track Championship

1959

Principal Miller is replaced by Harry L. Nicholson

1961, 1962 & 1963

Boy’s State Track Champions

1963

Principal Nicholson is replaced by Vance L. Wise

1966

New principal James D. Ward is Colorado’s first African American principal
Boys Basketball becomes the first “undefeated” champions when they capped a 20-0 season
15 Bolts die in Vietnam War

1970

An aerobatic biplane named Skybolt was built by Manual students and flown by their teacher, Lamar Steen

1972

Title IX passed allowing females in athletics

1974

Court ordered desegregation of Manual/East Complex
Boy’s State Track Champions

1976

Boys Basketball had a 23-0 season & won state championship led by Coach Ed Calloway, Sr. and all state players David Bennett, Antoine Goodlow and LaVon Williams

1977

Principal Ward retires - replaced by Harold S. Scott

1980

New principal Mary G. Gentile is Manual’s first female principal

1982

Manual becomes a four-year school again
Hugh B. Davis - Manual Instrumental Music teacher is named Colorado Teacher of the Year

1984

Principal Gentile is replaced by Donald J. Moser

1986

Linda Bates-Transou becomes first female African American principal of a DPS high school

1987

Chucky Sproiling scores 74 points – Colorado high school state basketball record

1988

Boxer Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales (Class of 1945) admitted to Colorado’s Sports Hall of Fame

1990

Allison Tracy only Manual student to win state swimming title
May School Bond Issued passed – construction of a new gym, swimming pool and classrooms at a cost of $15,000,000

1991

Wellington Webb (Class of 1958) elected as Denver’s first African American mayor

1992

Mike Hemsi wins third #1 singles title in tennis

1993

Girls Tennis Team wins only state title in boys or girls tennis

1994

Centennial Celebration and new sports complex dedicated in honor of James D. Ward

1995

DPS ended bussing for integration
Principal Transou retires - replaced by Emilio A. Esquibel

1996

Principal Esquibel replaced by Nancy C. Sutton

1998

Friends of Manual started as an alumni association and fundraising entity for the school

2000

Virginia Lorbeer (teacher & coach) inducted into the CHSSA Hall of Fame

2001

Manual divided into three schools: Millennium Quest with Principals Estevan Duran (2001-2002), Mary Lewis (2002-2003) and Ethan K. Dalton (2003-2006); Art & Culture with Principal Phil Gallegos (2001-2006); Leadership with Principals Marsh G. Pointer (2001-2005) and Timothy Harp (2005-2006)

2006

DPS closes Manual High School for one year

2007

Manual High School reopens only for freshmen – sophomores, juniors & seniors added each year after with Principal Rob L. Stein (Class of 1978) as principal

2008

Elbra Wedgeworth (Class of 1974) brings the Democratic National Convention to Denver
Don Gatewood (Class of 1957) inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame for track