It’s always fun to come across another Ittner/Milligan school, but in this instance, it was coupled with the terrible realization that the old school had been devastated by fire. Note the teetering dormer.
This is Hempstead Elementary School (see here in better times), built in 1906 and closed in 2003. The 2014 fire was apparently started by lightning.
The central portal reminds me of St. James Palace in London.
The elegant brickwork, corbels and compressed Gothic archways make for a beautiful if now boarded front door.
Windows were opened by the firefighters, presumably to vent the fire.
This was my old elementary school in the 1950s. So many memories!
Went to 5th grade here in the 1950’s. What stands out most is the very petite and elderly female principle who captured the attention of students on the playground, or anywhere on campus, by raising her hand. At that moment, everyone would gather around her, including male students much larger than she. All the students became riveted to what she had to say. Those days are long gone. If I believed in ghosts, I would say that her spirit still is there.