This addition was made to the front of Coit School in 1908. The classroom on the lower right hand corner was my first grade room with Miss Bosink. The classroom on the upper left hand corner was my third grade room with Mrs. Anglen. The central upstairs punch-out was the principal's office, Mrs. Munch. The entrance hallway matched the original hall but then butted outward as there was a double-wide stairway on each side. It was less steep and had a landing. The stairway went on down to the basement where there was a large bathroom on each side. The stalls were in the center of the room and there was an echo. The walls and floors were some type of dark tile. We only used these bathrooms as a group usually when returning from some field trip. There was a drinking fountain at the top of the stairs on each floor.
1913 Sanborn Map
1907 - Plans and specifications have been prepared and the contract awarded for the construction of a four room addition. The specifications also contemplate the entire remodeling of the old part. The style of this building will be a radical departure from the type previously used in Grand Raids, in that it has a flat roof. This is in the nature of an experiment, but promises economy of construction and maintenance, and more pleasing architectural effect. A complete new steam plant and modern sanitary appliances will e installed, the entire cost to be about $25,0000. This building is to be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1908.
1908 - Owing to the crowded conditions and demands, it became necessary to make additions to hall street and Coit venue buildings. A contract for a four room addition to Coit avenue school and to rebuild the main part of the old building was let at a cost approximating $27,507.94. This will make the building one of the e most modern f our larger buildings.
(The 1913 Sanborn map shows that the cloak rooms were added with the 1908 addition. It also shows the boiler was in the basement under Miss Lavender's room and was the "art" room I remember but it doesn't show the stairs. The Sanborn also shows fewer houses and no outhouse.)