Diamond School
W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 29 Grand Rapids Township
This school began under the authority of Grand Rapids Township District #1
October 23, 1889
Julius Houseman, (unmarried)
To
School dist. #1, of the Twp of Grand Rapids, M'ch
Liber 198 page 386
Consideration $3000
Description
Lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, Block, 2 of Houseman's Addition
Houseman's Addition platted in 1889 by Skeels for Julius Houseman. Hazel and
Sophie streets were vacated for Houseman Athletic Field.
1890 - school built
1891 - annexed by the City of Grand Rapids
1891 - 2nd Ward, lot 261 feet on Fountain Street x 120 feet on Diamond (East) and Hazel (West). A new eight room brick building two stories above basement. Sittings for 400 pupils. Heated by steam, well-lighted and ventilated. Has Smead dry closets in basement. $20,000.
1895 Sanborn Fire Map:
1897 - It is connected with the city water.
1899 -Water closets are in the basement and are connected with the sewer.
1905 - addition of four classrooms and four small rooms for principal's office, rest room, supply room and library as well as a shop for wood work and domestic science.
1906 -
This photo is from the direction of Diamond Street showing the new addition.
1907 - plans for Houseman Athletic Field
1907 Section 29 Ogle GRT
1912 - Diamond Street renamed Diamond Avenue
1913 Sanborn shows houses which are long gone west of this school. But only the nice close-up of the school is used here.
The original school is to the left. The 1906 addition is to the right.
1921 - Addition made
1921 Annual Report - Old 2d Ward -lots 10-15, Block 2 Houseman's Addition
1931
This photo from the 1931 Helios shows the rear of the school from Houseman Field. The School was on the NW corner of Fountain Street and Diamond Avenue. Diamond Ave is to the left, Hazel Ave would have been to the right but it was vacated when Houseman Field was created, Fountain Street is "behind" the photo of the school.
The 1906 addition is on the left, the original school in the middle, the 1921 addition is on the right.
1953 Sanborn Fire Map indicates only the building date as 1890 without differentiating the additions. That part marked with a red "O" shows up on the 1895 Sanborn Map so must be the 1890 original. That part marked with a red "1" shows up on the 1913 Sanborn Map so must be the 1905 addition. The last addition marked with a red "2" must have been added after 1913. All of it and the houses have been usurped by Houseman Field. The lot addresses are 929 and 957 Fountain St NE as well as 101 and 107 Diamond Ave NE.
1956 - closed
1960 - torn down
2005 - 162 Houseman Ave NE, Houseman Field ppn=41-14-29-153-026
From article School History
From Heading History and the City of GrandRapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info