Schools Continue to Give to Community: East School’s History

There have recently been references in the newspaper and on Facebook regarding the old East School, and the descriptions can be confusing. My Mom’s generation would tell you they attended “East School” in the 1940s, but it wasn’t the original building. We’ll try to make this as clear as mud can be.

The right side of the building pictured above faces Bluff Street.

The original East School that opened in September 1897 was located in the center of the block between Center and Bluff Streets, north of St. Louis Avenue, right behind where AutoZone now stands. Grade school was on the first floor, and the High School students were on the second floor.

The existing “Center” School building, now converted to apartments, was dedicated in February 1917. It was originally built as the new High School, located between the old East School and Center Street.

The postcard above “Center” School and the East School behind.

When the new High School building (the current Fulton Middle School) was opened at 10th & Grand Streets in September 1938, the old East School was closed. It was used as the Court House while the current Court House building was being built. It was demolished in 1940 once the Court House was completed. Center School became home to elementary students and was referred to as “East School” going forward until Bush elementary school opened in 1961. At that point, it became the Junior High School and became called “Center School.”

A South Elementary School was also built in 1951 and renamed Bartley Elementary School in 1961. The old West Elementary school was roughly between Churchill Memorial and Champ Auditorium. McIntire Elementary replaced it in 1961.