West Leonard School
N W 1/4 Sec 24 Walker Township, Leonard at Quarry
Alternate Names: Primary #6 in 1882 only.
This West Leonard school began as a replacement for Turner school but only lasted as such for one year. Then it became its own school and was renamed West Leonard. Through the years potential replacements for this school were called West Leonard such as Harrison Park. Eventually after this school ceased to exist, the name was attached to a different school previously called Walker. Only the first West Leonard school which was located between Quarry and Elizabeth avenues is described here.
July 7, 1870
Edward J. Shackleford, Executor
of the estate of James M. Shackleford, deceased
To
School Dist. No. 2, Grand Rapids, Mich
Consideration, $500
Description
Lots 10 and 12 of what is known as Tryon's Second Addition
Subject to tax titles and possessions.CE
As discussed in Chapter Two, this lot was purchased prior to the creation of the Grand Rapids Board of Education. It was purchased in anticipation of future need as a replacement for Turner School. It was called the Richmond lot.
This is an earlier sale establishing Mr. Richmond's purchase.
Feb 10, 1864
Solomon O. Kingsbury
to
Wm A. Richmond
L36, pg 536
Lots 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,23
(reconstructed deed book)
May 10,,1872
Lorain Z. Richmond, Executrix, Chas. H. Richmond,
and Samuel L. Fuller, Executors of estate of Wm A. Richmond
To
The Board of Education
Liber 75 pages 92-3
Consideration, $2000
Description
Five acres in the N. W. corner of Lot 1, in Sec 24-7-12 said land
being bounded b a line 20 rods (330 feet) North and South
and 40 rods (660 feet) East and West.CE
Tryon's 2nd Addition 1858 plat redrawn poorly in 1927 as a replacement for
that map burned in the 1860 fire. Lots 1 through 6 are east of
Quarry Avenue. Lots 19 to 24 are west of Elizabeth Avenue. The lots in the
center of the plat are lots 7 to 12 along Quarry and lots 13 to 18 along
Elizabeth. It appears that the school began its acquisition of this
property by purchasing a tax lien and then purchased the balance of the plat
from the William Richmond estate. The school was on top of a hill, now
gone, and set back about 200 feet from Leonard Street.
1872 - Five acre lot purchased from the estate of William A. Richmond for $2000, highest ground on the street, grove of maple trees.. A small portion off the Western end was taken by the Railroad. Title for 2 lots need adjustment. (Maybe lots 8 and 9) (Edward Gillis, is his book Growing Up in Old Lithuanian Town 977.456 G416g shows the location as on the south side of Leonard Street, east of Elizabeth Avenue and west of Quarry Ave. When I was a child, it was an A&W root beer stand on very flat ground).
1882 - referred to as Primary #6 in 6th Ward. New building just completed of Grand Rapids white brick with red brick trimmings, two stories above high basement with slate roof and tower. Fred C. Miller, builders, $10,400. Eight large rooms each supplied with a closet and wardrobe. Heated and ventilated by steam furnished by Sproul and McGurrin. Connected to city water and sewer. Accommodates 400 students. Grounds are now being graded. Two lots are desirable for residents (sic) and recommend that these lots be sold. One lot east of new #6, 200' on Leonard x 300' deep and the other lot west of #6, 60' (due to location of railroad) on Leonard Street x 300' deep.
1883 - West Leonard Street School. Sidewalks laid on Leonard Street, tile sewer pipe laid around the building for rain, bell placed in tower. Needs a fence and sod.
1884 - the 60x200' lot west of school, sold.lots 19,20,21,22,23 & 24 (west of Elizabeth)
1885 - the vaults are placed in the basement and connected with the city sewer. Wide plank walks have been laid from Leonard street to the builidng.
The 1885 Collar and Greiner map shows this school on lots 8, 9 and 16, 17 of Tryon's 2nd Addition Tryon's second
1887 - water closets are in the basement and connected with the city sewer. Efforts should be made to extend the water main to the building. Extra lots sold.
1891 - Sixth Ward.
1893 - on West Leonard, Quarry and Elizabeth streets
1895 - Lot 250' (on Leonard) x 300' (deep)
1895 Sanborn Fire Map:
1904 -
1905 - Plumbing condemned
1907 Section 24 Ogle Walker
1921 Annual Report - Old 6th Ward, lots 7-18 of Tryon's Second Addition.
1921 - plans for a new school in Harrison Park
1929 - abandoned
2005 - parking lot behind stores fronting on Leonard Street.
From article School History
From Heading History and the City of GrandRapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info