Haven School I
Location: 15th Street and Wabash Avenue
Life Span: 1862-1884
Architect: Gurdon P. Randall
Chicago Tribune, September 22, 1862
The dedicatory exercises of the new Haven School building, drew together a large audience of parents, and friends of education. The occasion was bone of rare interest, and will long be remembered as one of the pleasing as well as important events which mark the progress of Chicago in the great cause of education.
Mr. Ward, Chairman of the Building Commission, read the following report, and accompanied the reading with a delivery of the keys of the building to Luther Haven, Esq., President of the Board of Education:
- This edifice has been erected by the Board of Public Works, in pursuance of an order from the Common Council, passed July 15th, 1861. It is a matter of just pride in our city that we have been able to provide so many neat and commodious buildings for the children attending our public schools. As this is the last school edifice built by the city, so we believe it to be the best.
For the ground, purchased July, 1861, there was paid $11,250. The building was commenced Oct. 1st, 1861, under the direction of Benjamin Carpenter, Frederick Letz and John G. Gindele, of the Board of Public Works. Those siding in its construction are: Architect, G.P. Randall; mason, W.H. Carter; cut stone work, E. Walker; carpenter, T. Menard; roofer, M. Greenbaum; painter, M.B. Van Derooi; heating apparatus, R. T. Crane & Bro.; furniture, F.R. Miller & Co.—all Chicago men. The cost of the building is $18,263; heating apparatus, $2,000; furniture, including tables, clocks, etc., $1,925; total, $22,188. The building will accommodate 756 pupils.
Mr. Haven then made a verbal report, briefly reviewing the history of schools in this city, and showing the purpose to which the greater portion of the school funds placed in the hands of the Board have been applied.
The first public school house built in Chicago was the Dearborn school building, constructed in 1851. From 1851 to 1856, no school houses were built. There were two in 1856; two in 1857; and two more in 1858. One of these was the Newberry, which was the first school built by the Board of Education. In 1860 and 1861, no more houses were built. The Haven School House was begun in October, 1861, and is now completed. Within the past year, there have been also five branch houses built for other schools in the city, which will accommodate 384 pupils. The expense of these, together with the Haven School, is $207,000, and including the grounds, $294,839. Since the speaker became a member of the Board, $750,000 had been expended for school purposes. The houses now in use are sufficient to accommodate an aggregate of 10,995 pupils.
Haven School I
15th Street and Wabash Avenue
1862
The school building which is now completed, and dedicated to its important purpose, is probably one of the finest in the country. The basement is divided into four rooms, three of which will be devoted to the playing necessities of the pupils and the fourth ton the storage of fuel. The first, second and third stories have four large rooms on each floor, with a wardrobe attached to each. The fourth story has a fine hall devoted to gymnastic purposes, a new feature in our school houses and one which has been long needed.
The exterior of the building is very ornamental, and combines strength with beauty. The roof is the Mansard pattern, and is a perfect model of architectural design, besides being proof against all kinds of weather. Every room is thoroughly ventilated, a matter of no small importance to the health of the pupil. The building will be warmed with steam pipes distributed in each apartment, and supplied from a boiler in a separate building. The furniture is of the most approved style, and constructed with a view to the comfort and convenience of the pupils.
Every appliance, in fact, has been sought which shall best carry out the design of a perfect school house. The architect, Mr. Randall, has been thoroughly successful, and constructed a monument not only a source of infinite credit to himself, but of congratulation to our citizens.
Haven School
1865
Chicago Tribune, March 28, 1884
TALK OF TEARING DOWN THE HAVEN SCHOOL.
Mr. Strensland said it was about time to consider the matter of tearing down the Haven School and beginning the constrcution of a new one on its site.
Mr. Brennan said:
- I have always opposed the tearing down of the Haven School, and always will will do so. After the subject was first talked over here I visited the school and inspected it from top to bottom, and, strange as it may seem, I found it in excellent condition. Yes, it is today 25 per cent better than any building we could put up in its stead for the money we wish to spend for that purpose. If we tear it down and build up another in its stead we will simply throw away $50,000.
Nr. Stensland said that last year the architect said it would cost at least $25,000 to put the Haven School in anything like a state of repair, therefore he thought it best to put up this $25,000 with that much more and buils a new school-house.
Mr. Doolittle said the question was, “What are we going to do with the children who must leave the Third Avenue School, and the children of Jones School, who will follow them soon afterwards?” He thought that the best thing to do would be tp purchase lots adjoining the Haven School and build additions to the Haven thereon.
Mr. Brennan coincided with Mr. Doolittle, and made a notion that the Committee on Buildings be authorized to advertise for lots in the vicinity of or adjoining the Haven School with a view to purchase, and to report the result of their work at the next meeting. The sugestion was adopted.
Inter Ocean, June 13, 1884
Mr. Garvey moved that the Building Committee be authorized to prepare plans for a new building in place of the Haven School and advertise for proposals for taking down the old one; the new building to be heated by steam. Carried.
Haven School II
1885
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