I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. I highlight a bit of the history of each school. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools can be tricky. I do this all at home and online—a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know if you have any additions.
Elmhurst Middle School
A June 1893 real estate ad for the Warner Tract in Elmhurst announced that.
building will commence soon on a new $15,000 schoolhouse upon the Warner Tract.
Oakland Evening Tribune Jun 26 1893
Elmhurst Grammar School was formally dedicated in July of 1894. The school contained four large classrooms.
New Addition for Elmhurst
The people of Elmhurst are requesting more room at Elmhurst; below is the proposed addition in 1903
In August of 1904, work had begun on the additions to Elmhurst School.
Elmhurst School is now Elmhurst Junior High
With the opening of the Elmhurst Annex School ( E. Morris Cox), a junior high school was needed. A new school was built at the site of the Old Elmhurst School at 98th and Cherry and Birch Street. The new school opened in July 1927.
John J. Donovan designed the new school. The structure is in classical design, with 21 classrooms and shops connected to manual training classes. Other features are an auditorium with a balcony and a motion picture projection room.
Modern Shops were added to Elmhurst.
Fires
In June of 1955, $35,00 destroyed one woodshop while damaging another.
In May 1967, Elmhurst Junior High suffered $25,000 in a suspected arson fire. It was the 7th school fire that year.
Elmhurst Today
Elmhurst is located at 1800 98th Avenue
Elmhurst Community Prep (ECP) is a triumphant middle school located in East Oakland. ECP prepares 6th – 8th-grade students for high school, college, and career by using a host of online and digital tools
Elmhurst United website – OUSD
- $15,000 Schoolhouse to be Built – Oakland Evening Tribune Jun 26, 1893
- School Dedicated – Oakland Evening Tribune Jul 16, 1894
- Work to begin on new School – Oakland Tribune Nov 22, 1925
- $35,000 fire burns Wood Shop – Oakland Tribune Jun 19, 1955
McChesney Junior High
McChesney started an elementary school built in 1913 at the intersection of 13th Avenue and East 38th Street. The school was named in honor of educator Joseph B. McChesney (1832-1912), Oakland High School‘s first Principal, who died the year before this school was finished.
The building was designed by architect John J. Donovan.
In 1989, Oakland Unified School District renamed the school for Edna Brewer (19-1986), its principal from 1971 until 1985.
New School Built
Groundbreaking for a new school.
McChesney/Edna Brewer Today
- The decision of School site – Oakland Tribune Sep 21, 1921
- New McChesney Dedicated – Oakland Tribune Nov 07, 1961
- Edna Brewer Junior High – website
Melrose School
In 1901 property was purchased for $1500 by the Melrose School District, then part of the unincorporated Brooklyn Township.
Bids opened in June of 1901. The entire amount used for construction and purchasing the property was $15,000.
Melrose School was dedicated in November 1901.
In 1905, Union High School No.4 was established at Melrose, and classes were held on the 2nd floor while plans were being drawn up for the new Fremont High School.
New School
In 1959, plans were drawn up to replace the 58-year-old Melrose School. The new building would hold 300 students plus faculty and have seven classrooms, one kindergarten, administration offices, a library, and a multipurpose room with a kitchen.
E.D. Cerruti designed the school.
The new Melrose Elementary was dedicated in December 1960. It was built on 53rd Avenue, and the old school was on 52nd Avenue.
Melrose Elementary School is located at 1325 53rd Avenue
It is now Bridges Academy at Melrose
We are building bridges from East Oakland to college and careers by breaking barriers to create a more just, equitable, and culturally responsive community
- Melrose nearing Completion – Oakland Tribune Aug 1901
- Melrose School Dedicated – Oakland Tribune Nov 30, 1901
- The architect for New Melrose – Oakland Tribune Jan 22, 1959
- New Melrose School To be Dedicated – Oakland Tribune Dec 07, 1960
- Bridges Academy at Melrose – website
Melrose Heights Grammar School
Melrose Heights school was later renamed Horace Mann (please see Part 1)
Melrose Heights was built in 1909. The building was designed by F.W. Burki, who chose the Renaissance style of architecture. The three-story building has 12 rooms, including eight classrooms and a basement. Cost $30,000
Santa Fe School
Santa Fe School was formally dedicated in July 1914. John J. Donovan designed the school.
New School Built
The new Santa Fe Elementary School was dedicated in February of 1960.
Santa Fe has been the temporary school for the students of Glenview Elementary while a new school is being rebuilt for them. The new school has 18 classrooms, two kindergartens, a multipurpose room, a library, and offices. It cost $809,879
The school is located at 915 54th St., Oakland
- Oakland Builds Many Schools – Oakland Tribune Mar 29, 1914
- New Santa Fe School – Oakland Tribune Feb 22, 1960
- School Architecture – John J Donovan 1921