Irving School has been renovated into apartments, which are well-maintained and occupied. After the demolition of Hodgen School last year (note the similarity in architectural style), this leaves Irving School as easily one of the oldest school buildings left in St. Louis. While I love Ittner-Milligen schools, it’s still cool that a vestige of educational design survives from before their tenure in St. Louis.
Interestingly, I noticed around the corner the remnants of another meat packing plant. Contrary to popular opinion, not all slaughterhouses were located in National City, but several were located in Hyde Park, including the much larger Krey plant. The Gruensfelder plant was much smaller, but its business is clearly listed on its sign. One can only imagine how people would react to a packing plant being so close to a school nowadays.
Thanks for the feature about Irving School. My siblings and I attended Irving in the mid to late 1950s.
I believe my great Aunt taught at Irving School approximately 1920-1950?? (This is a guess based on her birthdate.) Do you have any records to confirm this or know where to research for this information?
Thank you, Janet Cook
Good question, Janet. What was her name? I could ask some contacts in the SLPS if they can check employment records. Email me at naffziger (at) gmail (dot) com.
I went to irving in the sixties. I remember having a female retired marine teacher..Keith ford/bubba. Thank you
I attended Irving from 1952-1955. My 2nd grade teacher was Mrs. Horn. Sometimes during lunch some of us boys would go to the slaughter house and watch as carcasses were cut up around the main floor. We could go home for lunch or go down the street and get a bowl of chili and a glass of milk for a quarter if we didn’t want the school lunch for a quarter. Those were good times.
I attended Irving from 1952-1955. My 2nd grade teacher was Mrs. Horn. Sometimes during lunch some of us boys would go to the slaughter house and watch as carcasses were cut up around the main floor. We could go home for lunch or go down the street and get a bowl of chili and a glass of milk for a quarter if we didn’t want the school lunch for a quarter. Those were good times.
We lived at 3515a barret at grand. Across from fair grounds park. Hot nights we would sleep in the park.
Thanks for your article on Irving School. Went there from Kindergarten thru 2nd. grade, 1950 – 1952. Never thought it would still be around.
I also went to Irving from about 1952-1955- second half of 2nd grade to 4rh grade. I don’t remember my 2nd grade teacher, but I had Miss Anger for 3rd and Miss Violet Wood for fourth. I remember they would bring the library cart around. We lived at 4024 A N.22nd St. My G Grandfather took out the building permit for the house in 1900. It is the second house south of the church at Angelica and 22nd. All boarded up. Many houses on the street are gone. The last time I was in St, Louis Irving was all boarded up. Glad to see it looking so lovely. The flat section N of the tower with 3 windows below was a playground.
I also went to Irving from 1952-1955- 2nd half of 2nd grade to 4th Grade. My teachers were Miss Tobin for 3rd, Miss Anger and Miss Violet Wood for 4th. I always remember the library cart came around and that the flat place N. of the tower with 3 windows below was a playground. We lived at 4024A N. 22nd St.
G Grandfather took out building permit in 1900. The house is the second one south of the church at Angelica and 22nd St, It’s all boarded up and many of the houses on the block are missing now.
Love finding this article. I lived at 3939 N 22nd St. Started 1 grade 1942 and graduated 1951. Loved that school and all my teachers, they taught me a lot. I now live in Davie FL 85 yrs old and doing great. Do a lot of gardening, feeding 4 families. WONDERFUL MEMORIES
I went to Irving School for 6th-8th grade from 1974-1976. Mr. Brown with his infamous bowed legs was the principal. He was very strict and did a great job trying to watch over and protect all of us children. Mr. Alonzo Dent was one of the best educators that I ever had. He traveled to different countries, He used history, the news (current events) in order to teach our young minds that we are all connected to other parts of the world and things that effect them also effects us, long before the internet was invented. I learned a lot at Irving Elementary School. It’s nice to see a part of my history still standing tall and looking good.
wow.. I went to Irving from Kindergarten to 8th grade.. I still have the 1975, 8th grade graduation picture. Have MANY good memories of teachers.. Ms. May, believe she was 4h or 5th grade. Had a teacher that was a mortician.. he was weird.. can’t remember his name.. lots of fun memories