Manual Arts High School in South LA: A Brief History of the Toiler Spirit

Manual Arts High School has an incredible history in South Los Angeles that spans more than 100 years. From its humble beginning as the third post elementary institution in the Los Angeles school system to becoming a neighborhood symbol of resilience in South LA, Manual Arts High School has triumphed and transformed into a campus that set the tone for mass public education in early Los Angeles.
In this short piece, I explore three crucial moments in the school's history: The building and destruction of the school; its involvement in a major community disturbance; and its decades-long battle with overcrowding. As always, these short videos will not capture the vast history of this school--or any other South LA institution. If you have a story to add about Manual Arts, leave it down in the comment section below.
Learn more about early Manual Arts High School History (1910 - 1938) at the Los Angeles Public Library - ls2pac.lapl.org/?section=reso...
Learn more about LA Promise at Manual Arts - www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...
Details when LA Promise took over Manual Arts - web.archive.org/web/201201020...
Manual Arts High School Website - www.manualartshs.org/apps/pag...
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:18 Establishing Manual Arts High School
3:33 Building Toiler Pride
5:32 1933 Long Beach Earth Quake
7:03 Community Uprising
11:21 Tackling an Overcrowded Campus
12:52 Manual Arts High School Today
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[@Samuelacabal8]

Graduated from this school this year 2023 gonna miss it 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Kvis0]

I just entered 9th grade here and seeing all the videos history of manual is so cool

[@SouthLARecap]

That’s so neat! I hope you see your school differently. It had such a cool history!

[@Kvis0]

​@@SouthLARecapi only thought it was just some random high school growing up because my brother never told me much about it

[@JE75691]

Class of 2018 💜🤍 Decent high school, but it lacked rescorces, and the campus was run-down during the time I attended. Every time I pass around the area, it doesn't seem like anything has changed. Wish nothing but the best for the current students.

[@glam2gobeauty811]

Your docs are always so well done ❤ Great job

[@SouthLARecap]

Thanks you! I’m really glad you like them!

[@TrikewithMike]

Wonderful video as usual! Keep up the great work shedding a positive light on every subject you cover. Never give up! Thank you for allowing me to participate.

[@Sonia-cs2vw]

Nice! Interesting history. 3rd oldest school in LA! Wow!

[@IHCOYT]

Another really solid video. Hope all is well with the new baby!

[@SouthLARecap]

Thanks so much, Moses! It’s been a thrilling for months learning how to be a dad, but I’m still learning how to juggle things again.
I’m glad I got some time to put this together. Thanks so much for your support!

[@Foxboogie]

So proud to be a Toiler! Proud Cheerleader class of 2004.

[@csulbsmw07]

Class of 2007 ..I'm so proud to be a Toiler💜🤍

[@terrynak]

Wonderful and informative report! Just checked out the school for the first time late last year - good to see that the original buildings built after the 1933 Earthquake are still intact. Looking forward to your video on Jordan High School, deep in the heart of South L.A. Another high school that has been beautifully restored.

[@delafoxchecks]

How cool never knew all this about manual arts pass by there all the time now im gonna think about all this info you just said

[@UFOos]

I went to Manual Arts 2001-2005.

[@californiography]

Great video, bro! I didn’t know “basket weaving” class was an actual thing, always thought it was joke; learned something new today.

[@SouthLARecap]

Thanks, man! And yeah, It’s really cool to think about the classes schools had in the early 20th before the 60s. It’s like a different world lol

[@NellyNelleNel]

'05 STAND UP!

[@almaalonzo8387]

Thank you for the video, it brought good memories back. Class of 2000.

[@SouthLARecap]

Glad to do it!

[@Mike-ne8wb]

Can you possibly do Gardena High School ? COMPTON Centennial High school.
Love your channel

[@SouthLARecap]

I definitely have more schools to work on in South LA and around the area, so stay tuned! Thanks for your support!

[@TJMr63]

This is awesome work. How can you be contacted regarding business affairs?

[@shumpywumpy7620]

went here !! had a BLAST #Class_of_23

[@NellyNelleNel]

Purple and Gray!

[@ricardokobe3350]

Thanks for the video. Good job 🙏🏽💯

[@SouthLARecap]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dbreezymuzic]

Manual Arts C/O 97 All City/All Conference Football player and All defensive team basketball player 💜🩶 T-TOWN TOILER PRIDE

[@echolyork3989]

#ClassOf91💜

[@ABC-sz7rd]

i h8 this school. 😭

[@Foxboogie]

I thought you would have mentioned the 2000 scandal that removed Principal Grier

[@dbreezymuzic]

Fucc Mr. Grier I didn’t play football my senior year because of that prick and I was ranked in the state

[@thedirtblock4959]

Yooo do santee next pls

[@k12914]

Why is it called Manual Arts?

[@SouthLARecap]

Because originally the high school provided specialized courses for manual arts: Sheet metal, automotive, field work, etc.

[@j2skillful]

My alma mater--- kinda lol

[@rociosepulveda5917]

We used to call it Toilets...😂😂😂

[@dbreezymuzic]

Watch your mouth 👊🏾

[@JesseUrrutia-zo1uj]

I'm when manual arts class of 2006 go toilers 💜🩶🤍🖤

[@alfredobecerra2878]

J. Paul Getty, the oil billionaire tycoon, graduated from Manual Arts in 1914.
🎓 🛢 💵 💵

[@Islandman776]

Knock down my first shawty at this school 🤣