Invitations have been mailed to mark the Golden 50th Reunion of the largest class in the history of the Tamaqua public school system.

The Class of 1973 will reunite on Oct. 7 at Capriotti’s Catering Hall, McAdoo.

In 1960, the class of nearly 300 students caught school officials by surprise when they enrolled in what was then called the Tamaqua Area Joint School System.

School officials recognized that the district had insufficient quantity of books, desks and classrooms, prompting expansion plans.

By 1967, the district added space to try to accommodate the students by placing temporary, modular buildings adjacent to the school gymnasium on High Street.

One year later, the district opened a new high school.

By 1969, class members had been shuffled among five different locations, including former high school buildings on East Broad, High and the new one at Penn Street.

They went on to become the second class to complete four years at the new high school. Organizers said the invitation list contains 294 names. However, more than 50 are deceased. Some 250 took part in Commencement exercises on June 8, 1973.

The class set records throughout 12 years in the district and represented the end of an era. Among its ranks were final members of the legendary Tamaqua Senior High School Girls Drum and Bugle Corps.

Various reunion activities are planned. In November, class members will embark on a two-week Celebrity Cruise Lines excursion to the Caribbean, joined by the Class of 1972.