Valley Girl Views: The Washington School, Center St in Milton 1881-1914

On January 14 1914, the large "Center street School Building", The Washington School at Milton, was destroyed by fire. Fireman fought the blaze for 12 hours.

The structure was the oldest school building in Milton, having been erected after the great fire of 1880.

The Building was occupied by grade schools and the central grammar school. It also contained the office for the borough superintendent, and supplies for all the schools of the town.

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Schools At This Location, 1859-19??

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The Schools at the Center Street location were:

Lancastarian Association School
1859 - New Brick Building two stories high, 4 rooms. Destroyed in 1880 Fire.
1881 - "It was immediately replaced by the present Center Street building, a brick structure of ample and symmetrical proportions, convenient arrangement, and careful adaptation to the purposes required. It was dedicated on the 25th of February, 1881, with appropriate musical and literary exercises, including an address by J. P. Wickersham, State superintendent; the cost was eleven thousand eight hundred dollars" - Bell's History
1914 - On January 14 the large "Center street School Building", The Washington School at Milton, was destroyed by fire.
1914 - After the 1914 fire, the Central Grammar School was built on the half acre of land at 33 Center Street. It later became a Junior High School, and then in 1956 was converted back to a grade school.
1960 - Central Grammar School renamed the Millward School
1975 - The Millward School was sold to the Redevelopment Authority for $225,000.
1975/76? Millward School torn down as part of the Redevelopment after the 1972 & 1975 floods.

This photo shows the original Center Street School, after the Great Fire of 1880.

Built in 1859, it was a brick structure two stories in height and containing four rooms.

"The first school building on Center street, as previously stated, was that erected by the Lancasterian Association. It was used for school purposes until 1859, when it was replaced by a brick structure two stories in height and containing four rooms. The main entrance was on the south side, with side-doors on the east and west, and the building was raised somewhat above the level of the lot. This school house was doubtless creditable to the town at the time when it was built, and was the largest in the borough at the time of its destruction by fire in 1880.

It was immediately replaced by the present Center Street building, a brick structure of ample and symmetrical proportions, convenient arrangement, and careful adaptation to the purposes required. It was dedicated on the 25th of February, 1881, with appropriate musical and literary exercises, including an address by J. P. Wickersham, State superintendent; the cost was eleven thousand eight hundred dollars" [Destroyed in 1914 fire]