Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-19
A NEW SCHO0LHOUSE
One for Higher Education Nearing Com
pleliOn In Fairfield District.
HONOR TO HENRICo COUNTY.
History of the Bniiding-WfIi DC
open for the Fall Session-J. %. u
A. VI. to Present the Natfonni ana
State Flags.

when the public schools Of Henrico
omen I'm September next that county Will
be able 10 boast OF one OF the handsomest
public-school buildings owned by any
county in the State. The structure. which
is nearing completion, Is to be thoroughly
modern, possessing every convenience,
and will, in fact. compare favorably with
some Of the fine school buildings of this
city.
1t IS to be called the Paramount High
School, and is situated just northeast Of
Richmond. When completed the school
house will be very much Ike the Rich
mond High School, and afford to the
children OF Henrico county advantages
seldom obtained in a country school.
ORIGIN. OF THE SCHOOL.
The Falrmount High School had Its orr
gin in the necessity Of higher education
for white pupils in the Fairfield District
of Henrlco county. The majority of the
population of this district live adjacent 10
the northeastern limits Of Richmond, and
work in the city. Their children nave
heretofore been at a striking educational
disadvantage TO the children of Rich
mond's residents, thus causing many OF
the better class OF Henrico's population
to move into the city and to lose interest
in the county. In order to prevent thls
and TO place the citizens OF TINS district
OF Henricc on an equal educational foot
ing with those of Richmond. the Fair
mount High School was established.
The educational facilities of this insti-
tuition Will be similar 10 those of the Rich
mond High School. and to further stimu-
late the cooperation Of the citizens or
this district as far as possible teachers
and principal will be taken from It's
graduates.
The project was conceived a few years
ago by Mr.. A.. X. Russell, superintendent
Of Public Schools for the county OF Hen
rico, whose desire was to establish In
each OF the four districts Of Henrico such
an institution. The indomitable energy
and public spiritedness Of the trustees Of
the Fairfield District OF the county
Thomas j. Carter. Hugh ID. Smith, and
James c. Mitchell, and the enterprise OF
the Paramount Land Company, through
It's secretary and manager. Mr. Fred. G..
Brauer. Jr., brought to a focus this con-
ception.
PLANS AGREED UPON.
Despite innumerable obstacles and set
backs plans and terms were finally
agreed upon, and ground broken for the
handsomest public school in Henrico. The
site-1O0x125 feet--is admirably located In
Paramount at the corner of Twenty-frst
and T streets. This land-the best located
I'm any part Of the district for such
purpose, owing to the rapid growth OF the
surrounding territory-was given by the
Fairmount Land Company. who, at its
own expense, in order TO give the desired
location. moved therefrom the large resi-
dence formerly occupied by Rev. DR..
Kirk.
A COMMANDING STRUCTURE.
The building is now nearing completion,
and presents a handsome appearance.
Constructed OF brick and stone. with three
stories, including the basement, 1t at once
commands the attention of all visitors to
that section, 1t has every necessary con-
venience for comfort and sanitary pur-
poses The school will not be opened for
public instruction until the coming fall
session, and none OF It's instructors have
yet been chosen.
On Saturday next OWashing toms Birth
isy) very imposing and patriotic cere-
InOny will take place there. The Junior
order OF United American Mechanics, as
Is their custom, vii. present 10 the school
the Virginia and United States flags. and
there win be exercises of an interesting
character.