Normal schools, where teachers were trained to teach in primary school education, were located throughout the State of Missouri. My own alma mater, Truman State, was long a teachers college. Harris Teachers College, built according to plans by William B. Ittner in 1905, was the location of the white teachers’ college in St. Louis. The African American teachers’ college was in The Ville, and known first as Sumner and then Stowe Teachers College. They combined together in 1954 after education was desegregated.
This is one of the more unique of Ittner’s designs, and I’m sure he was seeking to differentiate with his plan and ornamentation for this building since it was for secondary education as opposed to his normal St. Louis Public School commissions.
The central portal, which has long been a hallmark of Ittner and Milligan schools, is made of cut stone, and not terracotta.
It is sort of a mix of Tudor and Classical Baroque Revival elements, though that is not really adequate in the description of this wonderful blending of styles.
The head over the door is clearly Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.
The two twin flanking classroom wings are also beautiful, and they are not lacking in ornament, either. The focus on natural light was a hallmark of Ittner designs.
My parents attended Harris in the late 40’s. Where in St. Louis is this located? Laclede? Off of Lindell? Thank you.
Sincerely,
Martha Rankin
Harris Teachers College was located on South Theresa Ave just south of Park Avenue.
I attended Harris Teacher Collage in ,September, 1955 to January 1960
Where was it lotated at that time
I attended Harris Teachers college from 1968 thru 1970. I found the curriculum very informative and the classes for teaching elementary subjects to be adequate. I transfered to North Eastern Illinois University to finish my education. I have since gone on to teach for 30 + years 8th grade Science in Chicago, Texas, and North Carolina. My experience at Harris -Stowe gave me an excellent background in education.