I couldn’t find a cornerstone for the Bristol School in Webster Groves, and there might be a very good reason, and a very fascinating one at that.

Most likely the work of William Ittner, it was built in stages, just like many of his schools were designed to be. But at this school which was original a wood frame building called the Webster School, it was backwards.

The two wings were built in brick first in 1909 and 1913, and were attached to the old wood frame wing in the middle.

It was only in 1920 that the original wood frame school was moved back on the lot, and the central wing of the school was built, completing the composition. Very cool. The school was renamed after Dr. Bennett J. Bristol, a member of the school board, in 1916.