The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-06-08
Historic Brooklyn Landmark, Porter Street
School, Giving Way To Recreation Center
Members of Many PrOmi-
nent Families Recalled
as Former Students

~ W hAAOA
An illustrious institution OF learn
ing for SO years and condemned as
an eyesore for the past seven, the
old Porter street school building in
a few days will pass out of existence,
bringing to an end a long standing
controversy Oh It's disposition and
making way for much-needed
playground project.
Standing in the heart of the
Brooklyn section, the first home Of
many OF the city's prominent fami-
lies, the school through it's many
years of progress developed a record
Of brilliant students, many of whom
today stand eminently in their chos-
Ell fields of endeavor.
Instrumental in securing the de-
cision to raze was Education Com
missioner John j. Kearney, who
once studied within its walls, and
present when the Board Of Educa-
ton determined its final fate was
Superintendent of Schools Thomas
j. Condor one Of the first pupils to
enter the building when its doors
were opened in 1888.
Closed in 1896
Its purpose accomplished when
the school section stopped to grow
and enrolment dwindled away, the
building was closed at the end of the
school year in 1896, and since then
was used only at intervals for an
NYA project or as storage place.
Attempts to rent 1t for industrial
purposes failed, despite wide recog-
milton Of Its sturdy construction, and
complaints on It's appearance when
1t was boarded up and abandoned
stirred the education commissioners
into action.
Last March the Waterbury Wreck
Ing company, which contracted to
do the razing Job without charge,
took over and the contractor esti-
mates 1t will take only 10 more days
to tear down the last remaining
walls and floors and level the prem
ises for establishment OF a play
ground.
AS piece by piece the bricks we're
removed, unusual construction was
revealed, the contractor and School
Building Inspector John McGough
report. Brick walls at some points
measure IS inches thick, construc-
ton unheard of for many years, and
heterogeneous use OF thick, fiat.
old-style nails, brought a comment
that nails certainly weren't ra-
toned in those days" Wreckers we're
said to be amazed at the extra fit
ness" Of the construction.
The building replaced the old
Bank street school, which stood
where the Duggan school was built
later. 1t was one Of the first brick
buildings constructed by the school
department and 1t Is believed for
that reason extra efforts we're placed
In making II strong and durable.
AS children gather on the grounds
In anticipation Of organized play
within few weeks, only few
desks and blackboards remain
among the wreckage as reminders
of the Studious activity that once
hustled on the premises. Many a
passerby, however, has been noted
stopping and taking last glimpse,
perhaps sentimentally, at the old
schoolhouse remains.
Former Students
Countless persons who have gain
ed prominence In civic activities are
old Porter Street school pupils.
Many priests and teachers are
among them.
Joseph P. Kennedy, principal OF
Wildly High school, Attorney Mich
ael V. Blansfeld, former state sem
GATOR, newly-named Judge Morgan
Burke OF Larchmont. N Y, Bishop
Martin F. Brady OF Vermont, and
Rev. Joseph Griffin, president Of st.
Thomas Seminary In Bloomfield,
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, are all old
grads.
The Keough, Dunn, Wagner, Nc
Donnell, Luddy, Riley, Powers, and
Mraz families and many others
we're among those who sent their
children there.
One OF It's recent graduates just this
week completed the education which
started there. He Is Rev. Thomas
Farrell who was ordained Into the
Catholic priesthood. Thursday and
Sunday celebrated his first Mass at
st. Patricks Church.
NHat4u ~ tfp fNtffNiIe rnRalt fnf1Hly
names OF teachers who spent many
years at the institution. Among the
outstanding educators mentioned
are Anna Carter and Elizabeth
Clark who served as principal and
assistant principal In the early
years, Mr.. and Mrs. Michael Neligan
who later held similar positions,
Minnie Moore OLeary, Josephine
Flanagan Greene. Helen Hanley,
Lucy Bowes Cassidy. Abbie Fitzger-
aid, zuba Reilley, Rose Mcdonald
Wenzell. Mrs. John Fitzpatrick
Hamilton Of Hamden, Jennie
O'Ncill, Mary Coyle and Clara Nc
Knight Russell, mother OF Movie
Actress Rosalind Russell, taught
there AT one time, graduates recall.
Among others who studied there
were Colonel William Shanahan and
his sisters; Sister Michile, MARY
Carly, Attorney George Stokes,
Scouper Charles Connors, Rev. Paul
Dillon and his sisters Anna and
Margaret, Rev. Charles Kane and
his sister Grace, Mary Fitzgerald.
Mae RYAN, Julia Sullivan and her
sister, the late Mrs. James Lynch,
Mrs. Jennie Byron Phelan, Rev.
John Hutchinson, Rev. Gerald
Hutchinson, late Patrick Barnes,
father Of Commissioner Francis P.
Barnes, DDS. OF the Board Of Edu-
cation, Katherine Brady, William
Kennedy, Katherine and Margaret
Griffin, and Frank and Agnes Ske-
han, and Commissioner John Kear-
ney OF the Board Of Education.
Ideal Playground