WASHINGTON GARDNER HIGH SCHOOL, Part 2

Continuing with our topic of the history of the Washington Gardner High School building in Albion, the original 1872-built Central School building was demolished in June, 1906, following the graduation of the Class of 1906. A replacement structure was thereby erected closer to Michigan Avenue at a cost of $30,000. The old east and west wings that had been added to the 1872 structure in 1885 and enlarged in 1893 were left intact, but now formed the rear of the school complex. The new building consisted of a central tower edifice, with classroom wings on both sides. The contractor for the project was a man with the last name of Rickmond.

Unfortunately, the construction took up the entire 1906-07 school year, and the class of 1907 became known as the class without a school. During that school year, displaced students met at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union building at 105 E. Erie St., and at other downtown locations. The new Central School opened in September 1907, and the class of 1908 was the first to graduate there.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a 1911 postcard photograph of the 1907-built Central School. Notice the 1885/1893 west wing in back; the first floor is still standing today. More information can be found in my 1991 book "A History of the Albion Public Schools," still available from yours truly, or at Stirling Books and Brew, or at Pure Albion, both in downtown Albion.

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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