"There were 200 children and a large number of people present this morning at the opening of the public playgrounds at Twelfth and Northampton streets. Mrs. Carrie Hall, supervisor, called the youngsters together and gave a short talk on the object of the grounds and what was expected from the children. Mrs. Hull explained that fair play was the first essential which must be considered by them. All the children must learn to take their turn, and there must be no swearing or smoking on the grounds. Any child who commits an offense of a serious nature three times will be barred from the playgrounds for the rest of the season."
We're not quite sure how much room there was to play that first day, with "200 children and a large number of people" crowded into that space, but it's definitely interesting to note that the issues of swearing and smoking among local youth, especially in the city's parks, are nothing new.
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| Centennial School once stood where Centennial Park is today. (Photo courtesy of Len Buscemi.) |
Does anyone know, or better yet, have an old photo? We'd love to hear from you in the comments, or email us.
I attended school at Centennial when I was in the 4th grade. Any idea when that was built there?
ReplyDeleteLovemycity - I sent your question on to local historian Len Buscemi. Here's his reply:
ReplyDeleteThe following is an excerpt from History of Easton Penn’a 1739-1889 Uzal W. Condit: "The next school-house erected in this district was commenced in 1876. This building is located in the Seventh Ward, at the corner of Twelfth and Ferry streets, on a lot purchased for the sum of $2,000. The building is a brick structure, eighty feet front by fifty feet deep, and two stories in height. The first story is divided into three school-rooms, two of which are designed for one teacher each, and the other, being a large room with a recitation room attached, is intended for two teachers. The second story having been arranged for the accommodation of two consolidated schools, is divided into two capacious, rooms, with an accompanying recitation room for each. This building, in structure, finish, and convenience of arrangement is complete, and reflects credit on the builders and the committee that supervised its erection. This school-house was erected by a contract at a cost of $9,573, which, added to the expenses incurred by the improvement of the grounds, makes the entire cost $12,763.34."
At some future date an extension was erected on the east side of the building.
The building was demolished and the land sold to the City of Easton for $1 to be used for recreational purposes.
The Centennial School Alma Mater
There’a a school at Twelfth and Ferry that we highly rate.
And with footsteps light and airy, here we congregate.
Here we study, here we play. Making progress day by day.
Idle never, busy ever. Learning while we may.
We’re for you Centennial, here our footsteps turn.
Hail to you Centennial, our respect you earn.
Here we study, here we pal together. In all kinds of weather.
Hats off to Centennial. Where we live and learn.
There’a a school at Twelfth and Ferry that we that we call our own. Tom and Dick and Grace and Mary , Betty, Frank and Joan; Here together all may meet. Pals and playmates here we greet.
Ever cheery, never weary, Here on Ferry street.
(Thanks, Len!)
I've got to ask, Lovemycity, how long ago did you attend 4th grade, and was it at that address? Because the school that once stood at 12th and Ferry streets was razed more than 100 years ago...
Though I'm not certain, I think Centennial School was rebuilt/moved to another address. (That would be another question for Len.) Perhaps it was that one you attended?
I am 65 years old and I also attended Centennial School at 12th and Ferry for two years until I transferred to Franklin at Walnut and Washington. One of my Centennial teachers was Miss Cowling, who lived on 12th St. about 3 doors away (south) from the school. I, too, am confused about the location mentioned as 12th and Northampton in the blog. Any help to end the confusion?
ReplyDeleteI think I figured out where the problem is: if you re-read the article on LVL, it says a playground was opened at 12th and Northampton St. 100 years ago. The text of the article does NOT name the playground as Centennial Park. The headline writer for the ET and LVL might have assumed the playground was at Centennial School and used that name in the article, since they are only one block from each other. No way was Centennial School razed 100 years. I'm not that old!!
ReplyDeleteJohn: You're right. I have to apologize--I read the original piece wrong. Which of course begs the question about where at Northampton and 12th that playground was...
DeleteRather than screw up again, I'm going to contact a real local historian, and The Easton Eccentric will be revisiting this when I get a good answer...
Thanks for noticing the discrepency, and apologies for the error.