THE FIRST SCHOOL PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE EDUCATION FOR GLENDALE’S NEGRO CHILDREN

1870 A building near Lake Hannigan was rented from C. L. Lundy to serve as a school for the local Negro children. It became known locally as the “Icehouse School.”

Miss Eckstein was paid $50 a month to teach in the school.

In her first official report, she recorded that 23 students had enrolled, and 3 withdrew. She also noted that the attendance record of the 20 remaining students was “good and regular.”

1876 A petition was presented to the Board by some of the Negro families in the village, asking for “the appointment of a teacher of their own race and the procuring of another room for the Negro school.”

1879 The School Board purchased “the north part of Lot 136” from Sarah L. Cilley for $450. A one-story schoolhouse, twenty by thirty four, and 12 feet high, “with a vestibule for hats, etc., a cellar for coal, stone foundation under all, and cistern and privy outside” was constructed on the site.

When this new school opened in the fall of 1879, Miss Eckstein resigned as teacher and Miss Lawrence took her place.

1887 The School Board sold the building and the lot to Thomas Gordon. All Glendale children attended the Congress Avenue schoolhouse.

1915 When the Congress Avenue School became severely overcrowded Mr. John J Burchnal purchased the “Verdin House” on Washington Avenue and presented it to the Board of Education “to provide additional room for the colored children of the first five grades.”