SCHOOL: We consider it serendipitous that our search in The Era’s microfilm landed us on a story about the pending opening of the Third Ward School.
The story was in the Oct. 3, 1890, edition.
“The New Third Ward School Building to be opened next week,” read the headline.
“The new Third ward school building will in all probability be ready for occupancy next week. A large force of painters, carpenters and plumbers are busy at work and expect to have the second floor finished by Monday.”
The school, remember, was at the head of Mechanic Street, where Jackson Avenue and School Street meet. The school was razed in 2003.
“This large, two-story structure adjoins the old building on School street and is very attractive,” The Era story noted. “The first and second floors each contain four class and eight cloak rooms, the former being 25 x 30 feet, and are well-lighted, each having no less than seven large windows and each apartment will be supplied with 56 single desks and a teacher’s stand.
“The entire building is a model one, and its many conveniences of the simplest kind. The entire building is finished in natural wood and looks neat and substantial.
One of the features of this handsome addition to our already first-class public school property is the manner of heating and ventilating the entire building. Smead’s system of hot and cold air will be used.”
The Smead heating system used an air-heating furnace and a system of inlet and outlet flues, according to “The Principles and Practice of Modern House Construction” from 1900.
Back to the description of the school:
“The patent dry closets, which are in the basement, are the best in use,” the story read, referring to the type of toilets inside the building. “By this system all the refuse is evaporated.”
Overall, the new school impressed the Era reporter.
“There is no doubt but that the Third ward school building will compare favorably with any school building in the state as far as conveniences go. It is an ornament ‘on the hill,’ and will only add more to the success of our well-known public school system.”
