Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-05-24

AHL AACHO1iIiOss
Take now the assertion that Ellsworth
can have the building if she wants it.
How? This brings us to the proposition
which, in some way not yet determined,
viii be put before the people of Ellsworth.
For some time past Mayor Hagerthy and
the school board, recognizing the need of
new school building, have been formu-
lating plans to that end. Briefly put, the
plan now in mind is the purchase of the
Henry NJ. Hall house at the junction of
School street and Birch avenue, and the re-
modelling of it into high school building.
This idea has been carried so far as to
secure plans as to how the building can be
remodeled to advantage, but of that more
later. No more desirable location could
be found in the city. 1t is central, ON
high land, separated from all other
buildings, and with sufficient land to pro-
vide play grounds.
As already intimated, ways and means
have also been considered. In the first
place, price, 5000, has been named ON
the property. Mayor Hagerthy is author
ity for the statement that the sentiment
of the city government is that the city
would buy the property. Accept this as
granted.
Roughly estimated, the remodeling and
enlargement of the building would cost
5000 to 5000, but to provide for all con-
tingencies, assume that 5000 is needed.
Toward this amount substantial sum is
| already assured. George n. Black, to
whose generosity and public spirit the
Ellsworth public library bears witness,
has offered to pay $500 for the school
building on the Surry road adjoining his
| property, and now occupied by the west
side grammar, intermediate and primary
schools. This school property is at fair
valuation worth $500 to 800, and the
| amount above that which Mr.. Black is
willing to pay is his contribution toward
high school.
1t may be well to say here that it is
proposed to take say $500 of this amount
for the purpose of altering the present
high school buildings-both the buildings
to fit them for the needs of the west side
grammar, primary and intermediate
schools. These plans, of course, have not
been worked out, as they depend entirely
on the success of the high school propo-
sition.
Taking then $500 from the amount re-
ceived for the other school building, 5000
is available toward the high school build
ing. The Hall property to be included in
the 5000 purchase, takes in the house oc-
cupied by Lorenzo d. Foster, from the
sale OF which, to Mr.. Foster or others, a
considerable sum could be realized 1t is
safe to say that from 5000 to $500 is
then already assured toward the 5000
needed.
Here, then, is the question the people of
Ellsworth must answer, not by word, but
by deed. Will they make up the balance
needed by voluntary contributions? The
amount is small compared with the full
amount required, and insignificant COM
pared with the end achieved. 1t is a
bargain-day offering for a high school
building for Ellsworth. Will she seize
the opportunity?
PROPOSED PLANS.
As before stated the manner in which
the Hall house can be remodeled into a
school building has already been consid
cred and plans drawn.
The Hall house, with its two stories and
mansard roof, with cupola or tower in
front, is familiar to all. In the plans
which have been submitted, this style,
which lends itself well to the uses in
tended, has been preserved. The plans of