Monroe County NyArchives History - Books .....Schools Of Irondequoit 1957 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 23, 2007, 8:54 pm Book Title: Irondequoit Story SCHOOLS OF IRONDEQUOIT Introduction When Irondequoit was formed from Brighton in 1839, the newly-elected School Commissioners divided the town into four school districts. These were numbered 1, 2, 3 and 7. Number 1 District occupied the southwest part of the township and came later to be known as the Bell School District; Number 2 District, the northeast part; Number 3 District, the northwest part; Number 7 District, the southeast section, and given that number because it was a part of Brighton District Number 7. Thus this district was known as the Brighton-Irondequoit District for some years. Before Irondequoit was formed, schools were sometimes held in homes and the teacher "boarded 'round." In other cases, log schools were built by those interested in their children's education. One log school was located, in 1814, on the Ridge Road just east of the Forest House. This school at first had volunteer teachers. Mr. Ransford Perrin, Mr. James Swayne (who later became Supervisor) and Mr. William Blossom, also a Supervisor, were among the early educators in the 1820-40 period. Another log school was erected, also in 1814, at the corner of Waring Road and Norton Street, but it was in use only two months when destroyed by fire. For the remainder of that school year, the children met in the home of Mr. Hincher on the Hobbie farm just north of Norton Street. In 1815, a third log school was built on the Ganyard farm just opposite the site of the one on Norton Street. In 1825, a frame building was built near the northeast corner of Norton Street and North Avenue (now Portland Avenue) on land donated by Mr. Alexander Hooker. This school replaced the log school on Norton Street. In 1828, a frame building was erected on the tip of the Culver-Merchants Road triangle. This stood until 1844, when it was replaced by the "Cobblestone School" built opposite Bay Street on Culver Road. History of School Districts after 1839 NUMBER 1 DISTRICT ("OLD DISTRICT NUMBER 1") The frame school built on Norton Street in 1825 was replaced in 1865 by a brick building known as the Bell School. An old record book kept by the Trustees of District Number 1 tells the following story about the origin of this school. A meeting of the taxpayers was called at the Blacksmith Shop on October 11, 1864, and at that time, it was voted to build a school "on the old lot." (We understand from this that the frame building must have been destroyed in some manner.) The new building was completed in April 1865 and dedication exercises were held on October 25. "The oration was delivered by Peter Jackson and a poem was delivered by A. O. Ganyard." The ladies of the community volunteered to raise the money for the cupola and a bell was to be purchased by subscription from the community. Thus the school received the name "The Bell School." At a special meeting held April 25, 1866, the taxpayers voted to build a second school in the west part of the district at a cost of $1,000. The plans for this school were the same as for the first with the exception of "the coal house, the cupola and the bell." These two schools were maintained by the district until 1874 when the area around the school at the corner of Joseph Avenue and Norton Street was annexed by Rochester. The district was allowed, after some dispute with Rochester, to sell the site and the building, and both, at auction, brought $961. It is interesting to note that the trustees were authorized to advertise this auction in at least two Rochester papers, one German and one English, propably due to the fact that the area about the school was occupied by German families. The Bell School was closed after 1897 and most of the district was annexed by Rochester in 1914. What was left of District Number 1 was divided between Districts Number 2 and 3 and "Old District Number 1" ceased to exist. (NEW) DISTRICT NUMBER 1 District Number 1 was known as Irondequoit-Brighton District Number 7 until 1866 when it was divided at the town line and became, in Irondequoit, District Number 6. On the dates indicated, the following schools were built and/or enlarged in this district. 1844-Calvin M. Benjamin, having purchased from John McGonegal for the sum of $40 a site opposite the end of Bay Street on Culver Road, offered to exchange it for the triangle lot owned by the district. On this site, the Cobblestone School was built in 1844. 1872-A considerable addition was made to the building and a belfry was added. In 1874, the City annexed all that portion of the district lying west of Culver Road, leaving the old Cobblestone School on the very edge of the district. April 23, 1912-The district voted to purchase a new school site on Clifford Avenue (now Empire Boulevard) and to erect there a modern school building. In December, therefore, the old Cobblestone School was abandoned. Prior to changing the location of the school from Culver Road to Empire Boulevard, the number of the school district was again changed and finally became known as School District No. 1 of the Town of Irondequoit. The new school was named the Edwin S. Pardee School in honor of Mr. Pardee who was born in 1827, on the Pardee homestead, which was established by Hiram and Sarah Pardee in 1826, they being among the earliest pioneers of the community. Cost of the new site of one and one half acres was $900; cost of the building, $11,000. 1917-This school was destroyed by fire and a new school built on the same site. 1927-Eight acres were purchased on Helendale Road at a cost of $1,600. The old Pardee School on Empire Boulevard was sold to the Laurelton Volunteer Fire Association. 1936-The Laurelton School was built on this new site. It contained twelve rooms plus an assembly hall and cost $225,000. 1951-An annex was added to Laurelton, consisting of eight classrooms and a teachers' room. 1951-Voted to purchase four acres of land from the County of Monroe for $11,600. This property is situated on Helendale Road at Westchester Avenue. 1951-Voted to build a school on the new site, to be called Pardee School. Building to contain 21 classrooms with additional facilities of combination gymnasium-cafeteria, library, teachers' room, suite of offices including health room. Cost of building $850,000. This school will serve the district south of Empire Boulevard. Sept. 1954-Pardee School opened. July 1, 1956-District Number 1 became part of East Irondequoit Central School District. DISTRICT NUMBER 2 1842-One half acre of ground was purchased from Caleb Hobbie and wife for the sum of $25 and a one-room frame school was built. 1889-The one-room school was moved and built into a home, so the district built a two-room brick school. Both the one-room and two-room schools were known as The Hobbie School. The latter served the district until 1927, when the building was sold to the I. O. O. F. 1919-Ten lots were purchased from the County at a cost of $1200. They were located in the Norton Street section near Goodman Street. Prior to building the school on this site, children of this section of district Number 2 had been taught in a private home. Two portables were added in 1921-22 and a third portable in 1923. 1926-Abraham Lincoln School was built on land purchased from the County. Also in this year, Ridgewood School was built on Ridge Road on property purchased from the Bumpus Estate. Cost of these two sites was $16,000 and the two schools were built at a cost of $245,000. 1954-Addition to Ridgewood School of eighteen rooms costing $710,000 and dedicated on September 26. 1955-56-Addition to Ridgewood School of thirteen rooms costing $400,000. July 1, 1956-District Number 2 became part of the East Irondequoit Central School District. DISTRICT NUMBER 3 The earliest schoolhouse built in District Number 3 was of logs. It stood on the southeast corner of Titus Avenue and Lower Hudson (now Cooper Road) on land donated by Stephen Titus. The year was 1840. This log school was used until 1861 when it was replaced by a one-room brick school built on the opposite corner of Titus and Lower Hudson Avenues. Mr. Alfred Curtice donated the land for this building. 1884-A second room was added to the school and the entrance was changed from the south side to the east side. 1895-This building was demolished and a more modern four-room building took its place. 1898-Irondequoit District No. 3 School became Irondequoit Union Free School, District No. 3. 1907-The district purchased from Mr. Charles Howard two more acres of land for the sum of $1,250. 1908-The district voted $11,000 for a two-room addition. 1917-The Grange Hall was rented for physical education classes. 1922-There was another addition of four classrooms, an assembly hall, gymnasium, indoor toilets, a teachers' room and a library. The entire cost was $100,000. 1923-Showers were installed in the basement. 1924-Irondequoit Union Free School, District No. 3, became Irondequoit High School. 1924-Seven additional lots were purchased to provide playgrounds. 1926-The study hall was divided into two classrooms. 1927-Two portables of two rooms each were added at a cost of $5,226, with $200 additional for blackboards. At this time, the basement of the school was remodeled to add two more classrooms and the teachers' room was converted into a classroom. 1927-The Williams Farm, on Cooper Road, was purchased for $72,000, and the Howard-Hallauer property, consisting of 10.8 acres, on Hudson Avenue was bought at a cost of $32,460. 1928-29-The Hosea Rogers School was built on the Howard-Hallauer site at a cost of $210,888 and dedicated on November 8, 1929. 1928-Kindergarten was housed in United Congregational Church. 1929-Kindergarten and first grade had quarters in the Masonic Temple on St. Paul Boulevard. 1931-Reuben A. Dake School was built on the Cooper Road Williams Farm site at a cost of $200,000. 1949-50-A high school was built on Cooper Road, just south of the Reuben A. Dake School, at a cost of $1,000,000 and dedicated on October 26 of 1950. 1953-District Number 3 Joined with District Number 4 to form the West Irondequoit Central School District. DISTRICT NUMBER 4 On November 7, 1847, an order was issued by A. B. Hobb, Superintendent of Irondequoit, directing James Thurn to give notice of a school meeting to be held at the home of Mason Cole on November 18 at 7 o'clock. As a result of this meeting, District Number 4 was formed. From that year until 1851, school sessions were held in a building on the property of Mason Cole, situated on Cole Road. May 12, 1851-Thirty dollars was paid for what is now a portion of the present school site. Oct. 20, 1851-Three hundred and thirty dollars were raised by taxation to build a school (the first structure). Dec. 8, 1851-An additional $50 was raised to finish the school. Sept. 12, 1856-It was decided to build a new school (the second structure) to replace the one recently burned. Jan. 7, 1868-Raised $2,000 to build another new school (the third structure). Feb. 8, 1868-The old school (second structure) was sold at auction for $50. Oct. 10, 1876-Money was raised to build a new cupola and put a bell therein. Aug. 25, 1885-One acre of land for enlarging the present site was purchased at a cost of $200. Apr. 24, 1900-It was voted to build a new two-room brick school, for $4500 (the fourth structure). Aug. 11, 1908-New hot water heating plant installed. Dec. 2, 1913-Resolved: To build an additional room and make other changes required by law to the extent of $7,000. May 1, 1917-It was decided that both grounds and building would be opened for play-grounds and social center activities, on and after June 1. Jan. 17, 1921-Purchased: an additional acre and a half of land adjoining the present site at a cost of $3,700. Sept. 8, 1921-Voted: To erect a new school (the fifth structure), at a cost not to exceed $70,000. Mar. 6, 1922-Voted to expend an additional $15,000 on building. Mar. 16, 1922-Ground broken for Seneca School. Nov. 20, 1922-Opening reception. Fall of 1931-Six and three quarters acres at the corner of Washington Avenue and what is now Colebrook Road (formerly Cole Road) purchased for $25,000. The district was divided into north and south sections. However, the prospect of war dispelled all hope of building the new school. May 7, 1935-It was decided to pay tuition for high school students at either Irondequoit High School or any high school in the city of Rochester. Trustees contracted with District Number 3 and city elementary schools for the instruction of children on condition that their parents wished to send them. This contract was renewed annually for the next ten years. Half-day sessions were held for the first three grades; kindergarten was divided into three sessions, two in the morning and one in the afternoon; and seventh and eighth grades were sent to Charlotte High School. Transportation facilities were paid for by the District. Mar. 12, 1946-It was decided to sell land purchased in 1931 because it was insufficient to accommodate the building and inadequate for suitable playgrounds. Thirteen acres directly across the street were purchased for $10,000 and the former site was sold for $11,000. June 25, 1946-Common School Number 4 was established as a Union Free School. June 1947-It was voted to construct and equip a new school on the Colebrook site at a cost not to exceed $465,000. A house and garage situated on the new site were sold for $310. June 1948-Voted; an additional sum of $60,000 to complete construction and add equipment. Later, $9,044 was voted to complete the project and the new school was named Iroquois. 1947-48-Seneca School was modernized. 1953-The Seneca and Iroquois Schools, which comprised District Number 4 voted to centralize with District Number 3 to form the West Irondequoit Central School District. WEST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Elementary Schools Built Since Centralization Cost of Name Acreage Site Cost Building Occupied Parkside 3.6 $17,000 $172,600 1954 Briarwood 3.3 26,800 198,500 1954 Pinegrove 9.5 36,750 194,750 1954 Listwood Built on Reuben Dake site 198,000 1954 Lakeview 3.7 14,000 170,000 1956 Southlawn Built on Hosea Rogers site 170,000 1956 Colebrook Built on Iroquois site 175,000 1956 Oakview 2 22,000 175,000 1957 Brookview 3 12,500 175,000 1957 DISTRICT NUMBER 5 Irondequoit School District Number 5 was organized in 1843 through a resolution voted on December 16, 1842. The resolution read: "Resolved: To form a new school district to be formed from District Number 2 and called District Number 5 Irondequoit." Previous to the erection of the first schoolhouse in District Number 5, school was held in private homes. May 18, 1844-"Resolved: To purchase one-fourth acre of land for the sum of $20 and to build a frame schoolhouse 15 x 24 feet, the sum of $200 for school to be raised by tax." This school was located a few rods to the south of Irondequoit Cemetery on Culver Road. 1914-The one-room school was discontinued and a two-room structure on the present site on Bay Avenue or Point Pleasant Road was authorized. 1915-An addition of three rooms was voted. 1916-The new building was named Durand Eastman School. 1921-Voted: a $36,000 addition. 1925-- Voted: To purchase nine building lots at a cost of $4,000. 1926-Voted to raise $100,000 for erection of new building. This East Wing housed six classrooms, an assembly hall seating 750 people, school offices, library, secretary's office and projection room. The building was dedicated on November 14, 1926. 1936-Voted: To build and equip a gymnasium at a cost of $36,000. 1951-A kindergarten building was erected. Housing two rooms, it is connected to the southeast corner of the building by a covered walk. Kindergartens had been housed in Durand Congregational and Lutheran Transfiguration Churches. Jan. 11, 1953-The Arlington Swarts Wing was dedicated. This addition contains nine classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen, music room, library, medical suite, administrative offices and Board Room. Cost: $557,000. July 1, 1956-District Number 5 became part of the East Irondequoit Central School District. EAST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Nov. 15, 1956-A $5,160,000 program of expansion was voted. This included: a high school, to be called Eastridge High, at a cost of $3,580,000; conversion of Ridgewood School to a 950-pupil Junior High, at an estimated cost of $297,000; and construction of a 600-pupil elementary school for an estimated $1,167,000. Parochial Schools ST. SALOME-Point Pleasant Road Built in 1921, St. Salome was the first of the parochial schools established in Irondequoit. The original building was largely the result of the volunteer work of people of the parish: men gave up their evenings, Saturdays and holidays and worked with a marvelous determination for the completion of their school. The building was constructed of cinder blocks, some of the first ever used in structural work. In 1925, four rooms were added to the school and in 1950, eleven more. A kindergarten was added in 1947. Transportation to St. Salome is furnished by bus. ST. AMBROSE-Empire Boulevard and Culver Road St. Ambrose School was opened September 11, 1922 with three rooms. At first, the school offered instruction in only six grades, but by 1924 all eight grades of work were being taught there. In 1923, eight rooms and a hall were added and, in 1930, six more rooms were added. ST. THOMAS-Colebrook Road The property for this school, at the corner of Cole Road (now Colebrook) and St. Paul Boulevard, was purchased in 1922 at a cost of $15,150. Ground was broken for the building in April of 1923 and work was completed later that same year. Two rooms, accomodating about 60 pupils, were made ready for classes. Cost of the building was $26,000. In 1928, four rooms were added, costing $25,000. In 1932, playground and parking space were purchased for $3,000. The year 1945 saw the establishment of kindergarten and, in 1949, three more rooms were built at a cost of $160,000. In 1952, nine additional rooms were constructed for the sum of $200,000. Two school buses provide pupil transportation. ST. MARGARET MARY-Rogers Parkway Six and one half acres of land were purchased from Benjamin Titus on October 28, 1928 for $18,500 and an additional two acres from Rene DeBuck for $6,000. The parishioners gave $88,000 and St. Margaret Mary School was built in 1930. In 1947, a new wing containing six rooms was added and kindergarten established. In 1956, a memorial to the late Father Bruton was erected at a cost of $385,000. This provided six classrooms, a lunch room, and toilets on both floors. ST. JAMES-Brockley Road St. James School was built in 1950 on land secured from the Diocese of Rochester at a cost of $25,000. The building erected by the parish cost $250,000. Kindergarten was established the same year. In 1953, four rooms were added at a cost of $70,000. A convent is to be built in 1957 and this will release four more rooms, now occupied by the Sisters. It is estimated that the new building will cost $220,000. ST. CECILIA-Culver Road Land for St. Cecilia was purchased from the Merck Estate at a cost of $22,000. It included six and one half acres on which the school was built in 1951 for the sum of $100,000. Children living beyond walking distance use the bus that serves the Ridgewood School. CHRIST THE KING-King's Highway Sod was turned for this school in January 1956 and the first classes met on January 28, 1957. It is located on a 75-acre tract on Kings Highway (formerly North Goodman Street). There are eight classrooms in the school which, with the new Christ the King Church, adjacent to it, will cost $125,000 according to current plans. Seventh Day Adventists' School The brick building on Culver Road near the Ridge, once known as the Caleb Hobbie School, and sold by District Number 2 to the I. O. O. F. in 1927, was purchased in 1945 by the Seventh Day Adventists for $5,500. The school has three classrooms and an assembly hall and includes grades 1 to 10. Additional Comments: Extracted from: IRONDEQUOIT STORY A History of the Town of Irondequoit (Suburb of Rochester, County of Monroe, State of New York) COVERING THE YEARS 1839-1957 Collected and Compiled by MAUDE I. WEST, Town Historian Published by The Town of Irondequoit File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/ny/monroe/history/1957/irondequ/schoolso12ms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/nyfiles/ File size: 21.6 Kb