Primary School #4 (Wealthy Avenue) Wealthy
This school began between 1858 - 1860 in a rented building.
Many of the students who attended this school from the fall of 1859-1860 were
recorded
in the United States census taken in June of 1860.
Most lived in Ward 1 or 3 of the City of Grand Rapids. Relationships are
inferred.
Ward Boudnaries:
First Ward - East of the river, west of Division, south of Michigan and north of
Wealthy
Third Ward - East of Division, west of Eastern, south of Michigan, north of
Wealthy
This school included an Intermediate Class in addition to
Primary and Grammar probably as it was the farthest from Central Intermediate.
As the census indicated race, a comparison of students with the census revealed
that some of the1860 students were Black. #4
Students
A site was purchased on 18 Sept 1867:
Warranty Deed
Joseph Penney
To
Frac'l Union School Dist. No.1 of Grand Rapids.
Consideration $750
Liber 55 page 483-4
Description
All that certain piece or parcel land described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the "E ½ of the NW ¼ of Sec 31, 7-11
where the W(est) line of Caroline (Lafayette) Street produced or continued
S'ward
parallel with the E line of Jefferson Street
intersects the S. line of Wealthy Avenue,
measure Southward along the said W. line of Caroline Street
so produced or continued 250 feet,
thence W. ward parallel with the S. line of Wealthy Avenue 250 feet, more or
less,
to intersection with the E. line of Cass Street
produce or continued S'ward parallel with the E. line of Jefferson Street,
thence N'ward along said E. line of Cass Street so produce or continue S'ward
to the intersection with the S. line of Wealthy Avenue,
thence E'ward along said S. line of Wealthy Avenue 250 feet, more or less,
to the place of beginning.
Being in all so described 10 Lots of 50 feet by 125 feet, more or less.
No known photograph exists of this early school but since the
schools were often built the same, it is assumed,
that it looked like South Division.
From the Article School History
From the Heading History of the City of
GrandRapids
From the web page MyGrandRapids