McKinley High School

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Update: See new pictures of the high school from October of 2020.

McKinley High School, now a Classical Junior Academy (which apparently means it focuses on Latin) was the first pendent of two high schools built in the first decade of the Twentieth Century, the other being the former Yeatman/Central, now in ruins on the North Side.

McKinley High School, 2156 Russell, c. 1940, Missouri History Museum, N33259

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McKinley, which likewise uses an English Tudor Gothic style, gives its name to the neighborhood around it, a small wedge of land surrounded by major roads.

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The high school also reminds me of Welsh castles built by King Edward, such as Caernarfon Castle.

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I love this stonework, meant to look spontaneous, it is actually carefully designed and laid.

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Apparently, at one point the population was so dense temporary classrooms, like we so often see at suburban school districts today, were built out back of the school.

McKinley High School, Portable Classrooms, June 1937, Missouri History Museum, P0900-18086-01-8n

3 Comments Add yours

  1. Chris says:

    Beautiful school. The resemblance to Brookings at WashU is pretty striking.

    1. samizdat says:

      Opened the same year as McKinley, according to the webs.

      1. Chris Naffziger says:

        Hmm, the historic nomination form says that McKinley opened earlier.

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