Today in Wheeling History: July 31--The Annual Report of the Public Schools of Wheeling for the school year ending July 31st was completed, including a detailed history of Washington School (1901).
The Washington School, originally known as the First Ward School, was one of the earliest public schools in Wheeling, West Virginia, and played a pivotal role in the city's educational development. Established in 1849, it was among the first public schools in the South, opening just three years after the Virginia Legislature passed an act permitting the establishment of free schools in the state.
The school's first building, erected in 1849, was a two-story brick structure with a basement, located at the corner of Main and North (5th) Streets in North Wheeling. It initially had three rooms in use, with separate rooms for boys and girls in the primary department. The school was ungraded until 1865 and often had as many as 75 pupils per teacher.
In 1865, the Wheeling Board of Education was reorganized, leading to the implementation of a graded school system and the appointment of a superintendent. This marked a significant shift in the school's operations and curriculum structure.
The second building, constructed in 1868-1869, was a larger three-story brick edifice with ten school rooms and a large grammar room. It cost nearly $20,000 and was built to accommodate the growing student population. During this period, the school saw the formation of the First Ward Lyceum, a literary society that helped develop the oratorical skills of many young men in North Wheeling.
The third and final building, erected in 1887-1888, was a grand three-story red brick structure designed by architect E.W. Wells. It featured seventeen classrooms, assembly rooms for boys and girls, and an office. The building showcased the characteristic architecture of its time, with sturdy oak framework, home-made brick walls, and a huge sandstone foundation. A notable feature was its majestic staircase in the spacious hallway, which was later removed during renovations for safety reasons.
Throughout its history, Washington School had several notable principals and teachers who contributed to its reputation for academic excellence. The school produced many successful alumni, including doctors, reverends, and educators. It also consistently performed well in academic competitions, with several students winning honors at the high school level.
Over the decades, the school underwent multiple renovations to meet changing safety requirements and educational needs. These included rewiring, furnace replacements, and the addition of modern facilities like an auditorium-gymnasium.
Washington School served the community for over 125 years before closing its doors in 1975. Its students were then relocated to the new North Park open classroom school and other nearby facilities. Tragically, within a week of its closure, the building was vandalized and severely damaged, leading to its eventual demolition. This marked the end of a significant landmark in North Wheeling's educational and architectural history.
The school's long history reflects the evolution of public education in Wheeling and the broader United States, from its early days of ungraded classrooms and gender-segregated instruction to its final years as a modern educational facility. Its closure and subsequent destruction represent a poignant loss for the community and serve as a reminder of the changing landscape of urban education in America.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3ydd55td) (https://tinyurl.com/2msw6m79) (https://tinyurl.com/34kwc532)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
The Washington School, originally known as the First Ward School, was one of the earliest public schools in Wheeling, West Virginia, and played a pivotal role in the city's educational development. Established in 1849, it was among the first public schools in the South, opening just three years after the Virginia Legislature passed an act permitting the establishment of free schools in the state.
The school's first building, erected in 1849, was a two-story brick structure with a basement, located at the corner of Main and North (5th) Streets in North Wheeling. It initially had three rooms in use, with separate rooms for boys and girls in the primary department. The school was ungraded until 1865 and often had as many as 75 pupils per teacher.
In 1865, the Wheeling Board of Education was reorganized, leading to the implementation of a graded school system and the appointment of a superintendent. This marked a significant shift in the school's operations and curriculum structure.
The second building, constructed in 1868-1869, was a larger three-story brick edifice with ten school rooms and a large grammar room. It cost nearly $20,000 and was built to accommodate the growing student population. During this period, the school saw the formation of the First Ward Lyceum, a literary society that helped develop the oratorical skills of many young men in North Wheeling.
The third and final building, erected in 1887-1888, was a grand three-story red brick structure designed by architect E.W. Wells. It featured seventeen classrooms, assembly rooms for boys and girls, and an office. The building showcased the characteristic architecture of its time, with sturdy oak framework, home-made brick walls, and a huge sandstone foundation. A notable feature was its majestic staircase in the spacious hallway, which was later removed during renovations for safety reasons.
Throughout its history, Washington School had several notable principals and teachers who contributed to its reputation for academic excellence. The school produced many successful alumni, including doctors, reverends, and educators. It also consistently performed well in academic competitions, with several students winning honors at the high school level.
Over the decades, the school underwent multiple renovations to meet changing safety requirements and educational needs. These included rewiring, furnace replacements, and the addition of modern facilities like an auditorium-gymnasium.
Washington School served the community for over 125 years before closing its doors in 1975. Its students were then relocated to the new North Park open classroom school and other nearby facilities. Tragically, within a week of its closure, the building was vandalized and severely damaged, leading to its eventual demolition. This marked the end of a significant landmark in North Wheeling's educational and architectural history.
The school's long history reflects the evolution of public education in Wheeling and the broader United States, from its early days of ungraded classrooms and gender-segregated instruction to its final years as a modern educational facility. Its closure and subsequent destruction represent a poignant loss for the community and serve as a reminder of the changing landscape of urban education in America.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3ydd55td) (https://tinyurl.com/2msw6m79) (https://tinyurl.com/34kwc532)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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