Franklin School
Site: northern part of the school 721 Oakland ppn=41-13-36-181-012
NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 and SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 Sec 36
Lots 4-11 block 6.Godfrey
and White
Southern part of
the school 823 Oakland ppn=41-13-36-326-020
lots 48,49,50 also
lots 51,52,53 of
Rumsey Farm Addition 1888
and lots 1,2,3. of
block 6 Godfrey& White's addition.
Godfrey & White's Add
Withey renamed Fifth and then renamed Franklin. Godrey and White's
was sub-platted changing street directions.
undated Bd of Ed map
1912 - Grand Rapids Herald, 23 Nov 1912 p. 3. After a
merry war of words, the Franklin street site for the new Oakland school building
was indorsed b the residents of the district at a mass meeting held last night
in Second avenue school.
Two years ago the board of education began on the new school project. The first
site was the one indorsed last night, directly in Franklin street, with the rear
or the building overlooking Godfrey avenue park and playgrounds. The school
board's project was voted down. The next site proposed was just north of
Franklin street, facing on Oakland avenue. The board opposed this. Still another
site was considered on the east side of Oakland avenue and father north.
Condemnation proceedings were begun but they were thrown out owning to a
technical error.
School Architect Turner was present and explained the plans and proposed site.
The new school building plans of which have already been drawn by Turner, is to
take the place of the old Second avenue school. The Franklin street site was
then again taken up. Objections were voiced including the "politics the school
board played" and of the extra walk enforced upon men who work in the factory
district, who will be obliged to go a whole city block farther by closing
Franklin street. "Why put a school building in the the middle of Franklin street
when you can get as good a site farther north?
The board will ask the council to close Franklin street at Oakland and give the
board this part of the street for its site. the board proposes to buy two lots
to the south and three to the north on Oakland, adjoining the property.
also called Rumsey Park
26 Nov 1912 Grand Rapids Herald, p. 3
The site (vacated dead-end portion of Franklin) is provided free. All it is necessary to do is to close that portion of the street. It will save the taxpayer $40,000 or so.
The board will acquire by purchase or condemnation all or so much of 6 lots as may be necessary to provide proper site for the proposed school and also to provide for a roadway to commence at the west line of Oakland avenue on either the north or the south side of the school building as the common council may prefer, which roadway may be made to communicated either with A street, Franklin street or Chestnut street by a winding road down the hill in the rear o f the properties above mentioned. In addition thereto the board will agree to construct properly designed concrete steps leading from the rear of the proposed school site down that hill on Franklin street so as to give foot passengers access to the lower levels of Godfrey avenue without requiring them to go around the block
3 Dec 1912 Grand Rapid Herald p. 3 School Board Wins Site Fight relative to the new Oakland Avenue School. Franklin Street will be vacated as soon as the board of education acquires lots on either side of the street. The Holland Church across the street was concerned that the students would write on the church walls.. (This article accompanied one on garbage collection by Alvah Brown, pigfarmer as well as a street-naming of Marion off West Bridge.
1921 Annual Report - Old 1st Ward, Lots 1-3 of block 6 of Godfrey & White's Addition
1921 Annual Repot - old 12th Ward, Lots 50-53 of Runsey's Farm Adkition
Also parts of vacated streets and area extended west. .
1913 - school is scheduled to be built in the Fall to relieve
1914 -
1915 - opens
1953 Sanborn Fire Map 177 shows the school as having been built in 1915 right across Franklin Street. The school is on the top of a steep hill.
.
Grand Rapids Press 26 Mar 1998 - bond issue proposal
Franklin Elementary
801 Oakland Ave SW
255 students, 14 teachers
Built: 1915
Existing square feet: 30,900
Square feet of new school: 43,700
Cost: $6.7 million
Highlights: a $4.6 million new school to be built just north of the eisting
school, which would be razed to make way for a $135,000 playground; and $175,000
for computers and video equipment.
2006 K-8
From article School History
From Heading History and the City of GrandRapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info