Draft:Mid-Century Modern schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota
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A number of Mid-Century Modern schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota have been deemed significant architecturally. Six schools were listed on the National Register on July 17, 2020,[1] as a result of a study of 12 mid-century modern schools in Grand Forks.
The school board worked with three architectural firms: Wells-Denbrook; DeRemer, Harrie and Kennedy; and Grosz and Anderson.
A draft nomination was to be presented.[2]
The study evaluated 12 schools in Fargo, and recommended six for listing.[3]
West Elementary School (1949)
West Elementary School | |
   | |
| Location | 615 North 25th St., Grand Forks, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°55′32″N 97°03′46″W / 47.92556°N 97.06278°W / 47.92556; -97.06278 (West Elementary School) |
| Architect | Theodore Wells |
| MPS | Mid-Century Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1949-1965 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005264[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 2020 |
West Elementary School, at 615 North 25th St., was built in 1949 and was expanded in 1955. It is a red brick-clad one-story school upon a raised, poured concrete foundation clad in red brick.[4]
It was designed by architect Theodore Wells.[4]
"The school is named for former Grand Forks Schools superintendent, John C. West, who later became president of the University of North Dakota. Built in 1949, West Elementary was one of two public elementary schools constructed in the first wave of postwar expansion in the city. The other, Lincoln Elementary School (1948) was destroyed in the 1997 Red River flood. West Elementary was built for a cost of $375,000. The locations of these two early mid-century schools point to residential expansion between downtown and the University, and the Near Southside neighborhood, respectively. / The original school design is attributed to Theodore Wells of Wells-Denbrook architectural firm. School Board minutes of July 1948 note that a cost and time-saving measure of school planning was to have the architect utilize plans for another school and make adjustments for the lot size and orientation: “It was further proposed that Mr. Theodore B. Wells, having completed his drawing for the Winship School, use the same plans and specification for the west end school at the university.” (Series 1, Vol. 8, p.69). / The Wells-Denbrook firm also designed the 1955 mid-century addition. / The recessed main entrance faces east on N. 25th Street and overlooks University Park across the narrow residential street."[4]
Lewis and Clark Elementary School (1953)
Lewis and Clark Elementary School | |
 | |
| Location | 1016 South 20th St., Grand Forks, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°54′32″N 97°02′34″W / 47.90889°N 97.04278°W / 47.90889; -97.04278 (Lewis and Clark Elementary School) |
| Architect | Sam DeRemer |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005263[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 2020 |
Lewis and Clark Elementary School, at 1100 13th Ave. South, is an elementary school which was built in 1953 and was expanded in 1955. It was designed by Sam DeRemer.[5]
Valley Junior High School (1955)
Valley Junior High School | |
| Location | 2100 5th Ave. North, Grand Forks, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°55′27″N 97°03′23″W / 47.92417°N 97.05639°W / 47.92417; -97.05639 (Valley Junior High School) |
| Architect | Grosz and Anderson |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005262[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 2020 |
Valley Junior High School, built in 1955, is at 2100 5th Ave. North 47°55′27″N 97°03′23″W / 47.92417°N 97.05639°W / 47.92417; -97.05639 (Valley Junior High School) It was designed by architects Grosz and Anderson, and opened in 1955
[6]
Viking Elementary School (1957)
Valley Junior High School | |
| Location | 809 22nd Ave. South, Grand Forks, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°53′55″N 97°02′17″W / 47.89861°N 97.03806°W / 47.89861; -97.03806 (Viking Elementary School) |
| Architect | DeRemer, Harrie and Kennedy |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005263[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 2020 |
Viking Elementary School, was designed by DeRemer, Harrie and Kennedy. Its location at 809 22nd Ave. South is just ten blocks south of the 1953 Lewis and Clark Elementary School. It was built in 1957.
[7]
Ben Franklin Elementary School
Ben Franklin Elementary School | |
| Location | 1016 South 20th St., Grand Forks, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°54′43″N 97°03′23″W / 47.91208°N 97.05647°W / 47.91208; -97.05647 (Ben Franklin Elementary School) |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Architect | DeRemer, Harrie and Kennedy |
| MPS | Mid-Century Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1949-1965 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005260[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 2020 |
The Ben Franklin Elementary School in Grand Forks, North Dakota, at 1016 South 20th St., is a school complex which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.[1] It is Mid-Century Modern in style.[3] It was designed by architects DeRemer, Harrie and Kennedy, one of whose principals is Sam DeRemer, son of architect Joseph Bell DeRemer.[3]
[8]
Vandalism damaged the Ben Franklin school in July 2021.[9]
In 2022 it is planned that $4 million will be invested in upgrading Ben Franklin school's heating and ventilation system.[10]
Wilder Elementary School
Wilder Elementary School | |
| Location | 1009 North 3rd St., Grand Forks, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°55′58″N 97°02′38″W / 47.93278°N 97.04389°W / 47.93278; -97.04389 (Wilder Elementary School) |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1955 |
| Architect | Samuel DeRemer |
| MPS | Mid-Century Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1949-1965 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005265[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 2020 |
The Wilder Elementary School, at 1009 North 3rd St., was built in 1955. It was designed by Samuel DeRemer.
[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "National Register of Historic Places Weekly Lists 2020" (PDF). National Park Service.
- ^ "Presentation".
- ^ a b c Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation: Mid-Century Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1949-1965 MPS" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 17, 2022. 33 pages including six photos (pages 1-33 of 211 page PDF).
- ^ a b c Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: West Elementary School / SITS # 32 GF 3636" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 36 pages including 14 photos (pages 34-69 of 211 page PDF).
- ^ Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: West Elementary School / SITS # 32 GF 3635" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 29 pages including 9 photos from 2019 (pages 70-98 of 211 page PDF).
- ^ Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Valley Junior High School / SITS # 32 GF 3634" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 30 pages including 11 photos from 2019 (pages 99-128 of 211 page PDF).
- ^ Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Valley Junior High School / SITS # 32 GF 3635" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 30 pages including 10 photos from 2019 (pages 129-158 of 211 page PDF).
- ^ Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Ben Franklin Elementary School / SITS # 32 GF 3632" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 27 pages including eight photos from 2019 (pages 159-185 of 211 page PDF).
- ^ Renee Nygren (July 13, 2021). "Thousands of dollars worth of damage done to Grand Forks elementary school". Valley News Live.
- ^ Joe Bowen (January 10, 2022). "Grand Forks Public Schools moves ahead with athletics rework".
- ^ Susan Caraher (June 22, 2020). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Ben Franklin Elementary School / SITS # 32 GF 3637" (PDF). GFPreservation.Com. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 19 pages including eight photos from 2019 (pages 186-211 of 211 page PDF).
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Grand Forks, North Dakota Category:School buildings completed in 1949 Category:School buildings completed in 1953 Category:School buildings completed in 1955 Category:Schools in Grand Forks County, North Dakota Category:Mid-Century Modern architecture in North Dakota Category:Mid-Century Modern architecture