Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-01-21
ARTICLE TX.

II. THE LOCATION OF THE NEW
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
AS stated in a previous article, the
location of the new building has be-
come the question of first Importance
Wisely or unwisely, it is now before
us. 1t must virtually be settled, as
far as 1t can be, to the satisfaction of
the public as a whole, before there Is
any use whatever in putting any great
effort upon the main question.
Technically our school board must
recommend the proposed site. Mono of
us doubt the wisdom or the good judg-
ment which they would exercise In the
matter. But many of our people will
not touch, much less support in any
way, the effort for new building I'M
til it be definitely known just where
this location is to be. Perhaps no one
is to blame for the seeming reversal
of the two questions, and doubtless
good will come out of 1t. For it will
result in the final selection Of site
which will be welcome. and therefore
benefit to the great majority Of our
people.
Thus far three sites have been Sc
lected, with more or less favor. One
at Deans grove, bringing the building
near the athletic field; the site of the
old arrnory at the foot of Highland
avenue, bringing the building nearer
to our Main street and also to our
out of itown pupils; and third, the 10 !,
cation known as the Harden lot lying
between Neal street and the Congrega-
tional church.
1 am not familiar with the special
arguments which may be presented for
the first two locations. l can see Sc
rious objections to both of them, and
if the arguments are presented later,
doubtless these objections will be pre-
sented and considered. Personally, l
believe there are very strong and over
whelming reasons why we should Sc
lect the location known as the Har-
den lot together with the lot now own
ed by Mr.. Shepherd. They are as fol-
lows:
l. This location would have 'front.'
age and approach from several points.
On Brunswick avenue. from the Con-
gregational church to DR.. Cobb's new
house, 1t would have an actual and
potential frontage Of nearly ITO feet;
on Neal street an extended line of ESQ
feet, and on the west or back side of
the lot, 248 feet. Doubtless arrange
ments could be made through purchase
or rental for approaches from Fillmore
Place and Beach street.
9. II would furnish an abundant lot
of land. From Brunswick avenue
back, it has a depth of 27o feet; and a
width through the center of over $50
feet The combined measurements of
the two lots would give us over 10000
square feet or a considerable more
than an acre and a half of land.
8. 1t will splendidly meet all re-
quirements for light and ventilation.
1t is the highest point of land in the
heart Of the city and sufficiently re-
mote from ali other buildings to have
unobstructed sources of light and air.
II the building is properly located up
on tho site these fundamental require
ments will become ideal. 1t also COM
mands splendid view of consider
able portion Of our city and of the
northern valley of our river.
A. Il offers splendid opportunities for
landscape effect. 1t already possesses,
and is bordered on two sides by a
considerable number of well-grown
shade trees. While a considerable
amount of grading on the lot border
ing Brunswick avenue will have to be
done, there is an unlimited amount
of earth on the top of the hill which
could be employed for this purpose.
The extended bank lying between the
two lots could easily be terraced Civ