It sits like a mausoleum on the 800 block of Southard Street, but when it was built it was modern and solid and attractive enough to merit being publicized. This postcard which I found on the Key West Travel Guide web page shows the Harris School as it was around the time it was built in 1909.
And this is how it looks today from the south side:
On the north side the front portico still looks the same as it did in the postcard, but the passage of time has given some trees a chance to sprout:
The passage of time may explain the apparent passive aggressive nature of the handicapped parking space. Give it enough time and the tree won't leave enough space even for a bicycle to park:
The Harris School started out in life as the equivalent of a high school I believe and ended it's educational career as an elementary school in 1980. Late enough to make mention of skateboarding which was quite popular back then as I recall.
The school building used to be surrounded by other cement structures of a 1950's or 60's style and they included the MARC house an acronym that has a rather dated flavor to it: Monroe Association for Retarded Citizens. They used to have splendid plant sales in back and I recall cycling Carstens Lane in the rear of the property and seeing rows of plants filling the back of the building. These days the land around the Harris School has been razed:
Somewhere over in the right side of the photograph there was also a culinary school and we used to get cheap high quality meals there, as guinea pigs for the high school chefs. It was a loss when they closed, and then there was the promise that the culinary school might re-open in the Harris building. That clearly didn't happen:
There were plans aired to hand the building over to a foundation for use as an "artist's colony" in the heart of the city but negotiations seemed to fall apart between Rodel and the school district. So the building languishes and sits there as sturdy as ever:
The walls look like they're made of stone are actually a kind of stippled cement. I've seen similar at the school district's facilities building on United Street. But for all it's solid Victorian air Harris School is sad and abandoned:
When negotiations were at their height a couple of years ago people standing on the sidelines expressed incredulous horror at the thought of the school being knocked down, as it needs huge amounts of work to be brought up to code and made usable. With the economy wobbling the way it is right now I wonder what possible use they can find for the pile.
It sits like a mausoleum on the 800 block of Southard Street, but when it was built it was modern and solid and attractive enough to merit being publicized. This postcard which I found on the Key West Travel Guide web page shows the Harris School as it was around the time it was built in 1909.
And this is how it looks today from the south side:
36 comments:
They are tearing down an old school here in West Palm Beach to build a new one and found a time capsule in a cornerstone. It's contents dated back to 1927. Here is a link if you want to read about it. Quite interesting. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/local_news/epaper/2008/10/17/1017schooltimecapsule.html
I went to Harris for Kindergarten in Mrs. Campbell's class the last year it was in use. It would be a tragedy to knock it down. Although, it hurts me to think of it just going to waste.
I attended Harris Elementary School back in 1968 for the fifth grade and I had Miss. Charlotte Haskins as a teacher. My Dad went to the same school back in the 1930's or 1940's and had Miss Charlotte Haskins as a second grade teacher. the same teacher that I had.
ok i think everyone is freaking out about nothing. first of all im pretty sure that the old town conservation peeps wont let the building go down because of historical value for one. for two i saw first hand a larg hazmat team working day and night removing asbestos and the homeless,and for three it would take more money to get rid of it then to restore it so i think everybody concerned about the situatuon should have an early bloody mary at schooner warf.
I attended Harris '53 to '55, started school there. What I remember of the school, was Polo shots and and a square military bunker as you came on the school grounds. Sorry to see her go.
I went to Harris school from 1967-1969, 3rd thru 5th grade. The bunker the previous poster mentioned was a gun turret from the Battleship Maine. I remember this because I was a 'navy brat' , living on base at Trumbo Point. I used to cut through Peary Court ( when it was the original Navy housing ) to go to school...then we would stop at 5 Brothers store for candy on the way home. Good to see that 5 Brothers is still there.
Brian Oakes. Carlsbad CA
I attended Harris in the very early '60s and I revisited in the late 90/s. It was good to see it still standing. very interesting pictures....thanks!
Ernie Knowlton. Greeneville TN
I attended Harris in the early 70s. My second grade teacher was Ms. Marie Haskins, 1st grade, Ms. Campbell. My grandmother was a 2nd grade teacher there during the 1960s-Madgelin Huddleston. Nice to see old pictures of the school. Brings back memories.
Great to see some old photos of Harris Elementary School! I believe I attended 1st-3rd Grade there--around 1967-69. The only teacher I remember was Mrs. Blackman. I recall being struck by the fact that her race was also black and thought that was pretty unusual. She was kind, caring, had a calm disposition, and was a respectful soul. Never really questioned you when you had to go to the bathroom, either. (Funny the things that stick with you.)
As I recall, the large parking-lot type area within the school property used to be grass! We would play Red Rover, Red Rover all the time before school and at recess.
Harris is where I learned to play the Recorder in music class. I also had a grand time learning to square dance! My partner was one of the tallest boys in school, and when the record cried out, "Swing your partner!"...I just went FLYING...like a poodle skirt in the wind! Made me laugh!
I walked to school everyday...3 miles uphill...in the snow...both directions. Actually, it was less than 1/2 mile to my home at 611 Whitehead Street, where I was raised by Ishmael and Maggie Calleja. I have many fond memories of that place and time in my life.
I read on the appraisal report before the sale to latest buyer that the lanes south of harris school were named carsten(s) on west side and kelsey on east side. how did kelsey lane name come to be on that appraisal? i never saw it on any map or blog only carsten(s) i.e. carsons i.e. goat alley. who can explain about kelsey lane?
I went to Harris Elementary for 4th grade...Miss Belzeski...in 1955-56 and would like to find Donna Davies(Roberts) and Sammy ?
Anyone with info can email me at peg.neel@gmail.com
Peggy Whitaker Neel
Thank you for posting these photos! I'm a navy brat who attended Harris for 4th grade (Mrs. Watson 1979/80) and 4th grade (Mrs. Avant 1980/81). Such great memories including a class trip to the Dry Tortugas and volunteering for 'Safety Patrol'. We rode our bikes EVERYWHERE.... including daily stops at the "pink store"!
I attended Harris Elementary 1956-59. Ms. Aileen Cates was my teacher in 4th & 6th grades; Ms. Haskins in 5th grade.
Pete Granite Falls Wa.-I was a navy brat in the 1950s, lived in Peary Court and walked to school.
Attended from 1953-1958. The only teachers I remember were Mrs Stensland in 3rd grade and
Mr Onan in 6th Grade. Was on the safety patrol in 6th grade, had to carry smaller kids across the
main intersection when it rained because the intersection would flood over the curbs. Still, have
hopes of getting back to Key West and reliving old memories because it was a great place to be
a kid back then.
Went to Harris for 2nd and 3rd grade..Had Mrs.Blackman and Miss Winnicki..want to go back and remember all the great times i had as a Navy Brat.
I was in the last graduating 5th grade class of Harris Elementary. I am a 5th generation conch.
Did you know liz or Marsha Nonnemacher? They lived on the first block of Margaret street from the school
Hi! Jennifer Bass here. I was in a grade behind you at Harris . How long were you in kw? My mom used to teach dance classes at Harris after school....not sure if you remember us...
I went to school there in 1958 and 59 second grade my teachers name was Miss Warfield I lived down the street towards the old submarine the Navy base used to swim in the pool and also walk to school everyday
I went to Harrison school in 1958 and 59 second grade my teacher's name was mrs. Warfield my sisters teacher's name was mr. Canfield sixth grade teacher I lived down towards the old submarine the Navy base we used to go to the pool and go swimming I'm not sure what street I lived on maybe Brambleton Street Larry Lupton my best friend his name was Timmy
Dorothy wartchow- Perry court 67,68,69,
423 Westbrook Street apartment 15 neosho Missouri 64850
I attend Harris in 1968 and 1969. I was in the third grade and I can remember enjoying my music class there. I lived on petroleum avenue and can remember walking to school everyday. I remember my classroom being upstairs and the music room being on the opposite side of the building pass to staircase. I was a girl scout also. My husband and I went four years ago and I visited the school and walked up the stairs to read some documents on the door and they were going to make it out of a museum.
My mother sent me to Harris Elementary in 1967 for first grade. We moved the next year from Key West NAS to Orlando Naval Training Center. All i remember was my teacher was BEAUTIFUL and then got married during the school year and left and we got a grandma to come in and finish the year. Not quite the same sight, Oh well!!
I attended Harris elementary from 1971-77 (K-5). Lots of fond memories, some sad ones too. Hate to see it languishing in the dust of time! Would love to connect with a classmate or two from that era
Mdrunn@att.net
I was in mrs. Campbells class in 1976! Surprised to see whats happened to where i went 1st thru 5th.
I went to Harris for Kindergarten in 1966. 1st grade in 1967 and 2nd grade in 1968 but didn’t finish the year as we moved to Charlotte, NC. My Father was in the Navy. I have the most incredible memories from that time.
Back in Florida now to retire.
My sister Rhonda was in the 5 grade in 1968. I’ll ask what her teachers name was.
I lived at Peary Court from 1966 to 1969. On the left side of the one-way circle. We would walk out our back door and cross the highway to go swimming in a pool.
1966-1968 for me. Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
Tony, David, Rhonda and oldest Jackie Lear 1966 to 1968 lived at Peary Court.
Perry Court, sorry!
1966 to 1968, 1st grade in 1967.
Does anyone remember Miss Love who taught 2nd grade in 1953?
I was in Miss Kate's 6th grade class with you. I have often thought of you over the years. You were one of the smartest kids I ever met. My name was Linda Hawthorne back then.
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