The computer-generated transcript of this page:
erected on the site. Ground was broken April 17, 1896, and the demolition of the academy was begun. Before this, however, the Board had some trouble financing the new high school. On January 28, 1896, when construction bids were opened, the lowest bidder was Edwin McWilliams of Middletown at $64,099; almost $15,000 over projected cost. The building Committee considered several options, meeting with Mr. Pierce of Pierce & Brun, architects. It was decided to ask the voters to raise an additional $15,000 to build the school as originally designed, but this was rejected March 17, 1896. Finally, voters agreed to raise $14,500 requested by the Board at a special election on June 16, 1896.
In the meantime, construction proceeded. While excavating for the basement, a geologist observed the site showed "a hard pan, covered with a stratified deposit of sand and gravel, left by the glacier that once filled this valley a thousand feet or more with ice..."
On June 11, 1896, the cornerstone for the new high school was laid and the whole city celebrated. A parade which included 1,724 school children marched to the site for the ceremonies. Rev. F.L. Wilson gave a prayer, followed by the singing of "America" by the pupils. Laying of the cornerstone at Academy and Little Avenue was done by Henry W. Wiggins, President of the Board of Education. Inside was placed a copper box which had been donated by Spooner & Ayers. The box held the names of city officials, the Board members, the teachers, and the classes of
95 and 196, along with newspapers, business cards, and a photo of the Wallkill Academy. After this was done, the pupils sang "Ode to the New Building". Then, the crowd moved to Academy Avenue Park where dignitaries made speeches from the band stand, decorated with flags and bunting for the occasion. The new high school was opened in September, 1897. A large addition to this building was opened September 3, 1929. When the High School on Grand Avenue was opened in 1940, it was decided to tear down the old high school and connect the "annexes" (the addition built in 1929) by building a corridor. The beautiful old high school building was torn down in October, 1941, the connecting corridor built, and this still serves as the Academy Avenue School,
In the spring of 1902, voters appropriated $18,000 to build the Albert Street School, located on the corner of Albert Street and Beattie Avenue. Frank J. Lindsey was the architect. Plans called for a two-story building, 66 feet long and 44 feet wide, constructed of brick with stone trimunings. A "spacious hall, 12 feet wide with vestibuled doors at either end" ran through the center, with a class room on each side. In the rear of each of the four classrooms were to be "two cloak rooms with a small toilet room leading from one of them." The classrooms would have five large windows so "the children will not be able to complain of insufficient light." Albert Street School was completed in 1903. On June 17, 1927, the Board awarded a $44,469.12 contract to J.H. Ralston of Middletown as general contractor for an addition to the school.
The addition, a two-story brick