Adams Elementary has a history that stretches back to 1878, when the school above was constructed in what at the time was a relatively isolated but not unpopulated part of the city.

The current building was designed by William Ittner in 1899, which is fascinating because the school is not in any way a “traditional” form for the famous architect.

It represents a moment where Ittner has not yet come out from underneath the influence of August Kirchner and the latter’s preference for the Romanesque Revival, which we see in schools such as Euclid and Froebel.

I love it when they put the date of construction in big numbers in obvious locations.

I’m a bit concerned why this school, with its massive modern expansions, is on the list for closure.

Millions of tax dollars spent, and now the building is going to go dark?

This wing with the Boys and Girls Clubs will stay open, I assume.