The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-11-07
MORE ABOUT THE SITE FOR THE
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING

est the articles of Mr.. Rooney and
Mr.. Moorhead in the Star on the un-
desirableness OF the lot that has
been purchased for the site OF the
new school building and wish to say
that l agree with their criticisms
and more too.
when the. committee on selecting
thsgs had the matter under con-
sidSfation we visited the lots that
were purchased for $4,000 borrowed
by the county board for this purpose
and l at the time protested against
the purchase as vigorously as
knew how. My protests were IN
availing and the purchase was made.
The criticism of Mr.. Moorhead in re-
gard to the placing OF building OF
the size that will probably be erect
ed on lot OF this size did not oc-
cur TO me then bus | think II Is a
valid objection.
l objected to the site upoa the
grounds that the location vas not
fair, taking into consideration the
towns present growth and a reason
able development in the future. The
lots were not desirable from the
standpoint of elevation. drainage
and attractiveness. and some OF the
surroundings were thoroughly unds-
sirable.
In the matter OF location the sites
are on the extreme southern side OF
the city beyond the primary school
building and not sufficiently close 10
be OF any benefit in the matter OF
supervision. 1t is iuconyeniently
located for the pupils on the west
side of the A. c. l.. Railway both in
the matter of distance and the char
acter of streets by which they would
go as most of these streets would
cross the railroad where the cross
ings are poor and there are several
tracks. 1t is also an unfair distance
for the pupils from North Ocala 20
come. 1t is not at all centrally To-
Gated within the belt of probable
future settlement and In erecting a
plant of these dimensions regard
should be had for many years 10
come as it will be years before an-
other bond issue of any considera- |
bic proportions can be voted and
marketed.
The state school law says that the
school site should be dry. airy |
healthful and pleasant, also reason
ably central and convenient of ae-
ces for all who should attend the
school" The sites chosen do not
fill the ideals nor requirements Of
the state law Instead OF being dry
and airy they are low and fat where
it is said that water sometimes
stands.
In the matter of surroundings the
entire west side of the northern lot
is faced by negro quarters just across
the street. The east side street OF
the lots is hardened but the street
leading down the west side Is deep
sand and otherwise unattractive.
felt at the time and have not en-
tirely gotten over il, that when the
county and district spend $4,000
or more down there. that We shall
have something that we shoald not
, have to apologize for should We take
a visitor to see our school plant.
The question would OF course
arise as to where would be a pref
cradle one and could ii be purchas-
ed At the time induced the COM
mittee to visit what is known as the
Duebel lot on the west side OF the
Silver Springs road and adjoining
Mr.. Alfred Ayers home 10 the east.
The lot seemed to me TO combine Ia
a very marked degree the essentials
of a desirable school block for ocala.
1t covers four acres in a square form
or has AGO feet on each side thus
giving ample room for buildings.
athletic grounds and school gardens
for which latter the soil Is admira-
bly, adapted. IL occupies a COM
handing elevation oyerlooking the
city and the elevation comes to a
point in the middle of the lot thus
making the drainage perfect. There
are no undesirable settlements In
the vicinity and the topography OF
the land and the natural surround
ings are all that could be desired. u
faoo. et~aat .haf viii afusara ha
the most popular thoroughfare o.
the city and where almost all the
visitors TO the city pass and where
creditable school plant such as we
hope to get would be source OF
perpetual pride to every citizen. To
my mind it also has the advantage
of location In that IL Is accessible hA