The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1883-12-12
DISTRICT no. ONES NEW SCHOOL HOUSE.
A Model Building in Every Respect.

About year ago II became manifest to
the citizens and taxpayers of district No.
l, that the school facilities of the dis
trict were totally inadequate 20 its grow
ing wants. THE AsToRIAS took the
ground that The present needs no less
than the future demands of the district
made necessary . building that would be
fully up TO the necessities of that portion
of our growing city. This idea prevailed,
and when the preliminary steps were
taken it was with the understanding that
the proposed building would be In every
way credit TO the city, and In keeping
with the educational wants of those who
are some dsy TO take our places.
Plans and specifications were submit
ted 10 the board of directors. but owing
to the great difficulty experienced in pro-
curing material, II was decided that the
season was too far advanced to attempt
anything till March or April. According
y,last spring plans were again called for,
and il was finally decided TO have the
building done by days work. that being,
on the whole, a sure guarantee that the
work would be done in a manner that IN
sured its permanence. The spacious
premises on the southwest corner Court
and Benton streets were selected as the
site OF the building. and after the nee
essary grading had been done the brick
walls of the foundation were laid to q
height of eleven feet. To Mr. J. 5. Wins
low was given the sUperintendence of
construction, and how well and faith
fully he has discharged the trust q visit
to the building will abundantly prove.
As il now stands awaiting the finishing
touches. il is the most conspicuous build
ing in the city, or in fact. on the Colum-
bia river, as of right il should be and Is
THE FINEST SCHOOL HOUSE
in the Northwest. Built on one of the hill
side terraces among many private resi-
dences that overlook the business pOr-
tion of the city it is the first object on
which the eve rests as one approaches the
city. 1t has frontage Of 81 feet S
inches on Court street, and ~ feet on
Benton street. Entering the building
one notices the sOlidity with which every
thing is constructed. and the care eyinc-
ed In procuring the newest cOntrlvances
for comfort as well as the skill demon
strated in putting those appliances In
place. The brick basement Is divided In
two parts. That portion facing on Court
street is further subdivided by hall into
two well-lighted school rooms. suitable
for primary pupils, for recitation rooms, |
or for an indoor play ground as the needs
of the pupils may require. The rear half
of the basement is devoted to heating
and ventilation. Two large brick furnaces |
supplied by III. B. Chase furnish by
means of huge tin pipes hot air to the
rooms above. and by an ingenious
of registers on the first floor
hall, the cold air is carried down into the
furnaces, there to be heated and ascend
to the different rooms, where further con-
triVance combines to make the foul air
pass out of the rooms through venti-
lator. the final passage of the air being
through a well constructed ventllator IN
the tower. Passing TO the first floor the
architectural beauty Of the stairs. built
by L. and j. A. Martin, Is noticeable, and
traversing a spacious hall four well light
ed rooms are presented to view. Each
room is provided with registers,
speaking tubes, ventilators, patent
single desks, patent blackboards built
into the walls, spacious and well-warmed
closets for lunch baskets. coats, shawls,
hats, etc. and has six large windows
from which magnificent view Is Observ-
able. The basement rooms are 30 feet
inches 10y 81 feet, and have high and
finely finished ceilings. On the next floor
above are four rooms similar IN size and
finish To those below, furnished IN accord
ance with the requirements of the larger
pupils. The northeast room on this floor
is intended for the use of the principal
and lis connected by a row of speaking
tube annunciators with every part of the
building.
A GENERAL AIR OF CoMFORT
pervades the whole building and it seems
the design of the constructors that rs far
as surroundings go the remembrance of
the days of study passed therein shall
always be a pleasant one TO the rising
generation.
Ascending from the principals room
the library is the next point of attrac-
tion. The rear portion of this floor is
devoted to flues and to two iron tanks.
The complete system of water
pipes that run through the
building, placed therein by Rud
dock d Wheeler, and now ready to be
connected with the city mains are here
connected with additional safeguard
against fire, as in that event those tanks
could Hood the particular locality where
the fire might be discovered at extremely
short notice. Above tins room Is the
tower, from which floats the American
flag, fit emblem of our cOuntry's hope
and pride as IT waves above an American
schoolhOuse, wherein are taught Ameri-
can ideas.
The frame of the building is of Oregon
fir, furnished by Mr.. J. c. Irullinger, the
finish and mouldings are of cedar from
Hansen Bros. factory, the tin work was
done by L. r. Hawes, the masonry and
plastering by VIM. Tarrant, painting by
c. IL. Stockton. and the work in all its
departments reflects credit upon IFS de-
signers.
Mr.. Winslow thinks that he will be able
to hand the keys to the directors about
New Years; il is the intention to begin
school there next Monday, the work re-
manning TO be done being little more
than finishing up and removing the de-
bris.