From the Morgue: A new Lorimier School rises

A new Lorimier School was built on the footprint of Old Lorimier School. It opened in 1937, almost a decade after its predecessor was ordered demolished. This photograph was likely taken shortly after it welcomed students for the first time.G.D. Fronabarger ~ Southeast Missourian archive

From the spring of 1936 until December of that year, the site of Cape Girardeau’s first public school building at Independence and Fountain streets remained vacant.

When the school board ordered the 1871-72 structure razed in 1928, it was with the idea that the site would be cleared, leveled and landscaped, ready for the eventual construction of a new elementary school building. While it took some time to actually raze Old Lorimier, once it was removed, planning for a new school advanced quickly.

In June 1936, Cape Girardeau voters approved an $85,000 bond issue to construct a new grade school on the site.

Published June 24, 1936, in the Southeast Missourian:

4-1 majority given school bond plans at Cape election

With the balloting light, Cape Girardeau voters at Tuesday’s special election approved by more than 4 to 1 a proposal to issue $85,000 in bonds to permit construction of a new grade school building at the Old Lorimier School site. There were 1,298 votes for the bond issue and 285 against.

Meeting Tuesday night to cast up the returns and pass a formal resolution approving the vote, the Board of Education decided to wait a week for approval of a PWA (Public Works Administration) application for approximately $57,000, a grant, which would be used in conjunction with the bond money to build and equip a more complete school building.

Message to WPA

The board, too, sent a telegram to Secretary of the Interior (Harold) Ickes, at the PWA office in Washington, D.C., calling his attention personally to the Cape Girardeau application and telling of the results of the bond election. The measure also told Mr. Ickes that the school district is asking only for the labor grant, and not that the government buy the bonds to be issued.

The board had had information recently from the state department of education that in cases where the district does not ask the government agency to purchase the bonds that an application is more likely to be approved.

Word is expected within a few days from Washington, Supt. Louis J. Schultz said.

To draw detailed plans

The board is now to ask William B. Ittner, Inc., the architect, to draw detailed plans for the school. The plans will then be approved by the board, and, if the grant is not forthcoming, bids will be asked on the building which can be constructed and equipped for the $85,000.

The general plan calls for a building of brick and stone construction, to include eight rooms. The building will face north, toward Independence Street. If the government money is obtained, a wing also is to be built to include an auditorium-gymnasium and cafeteria.

The election returns show the strongest opposition to the issue by voters going to Washington School to participate in the election. There 304 votes were cast against, the two-thirds majority failing to be obtained at that voting place. Jefferson School’s returns, too, showed fewer persons favoring. At that place 123 voted for the issue and 55 against.

How voting went

Those balloting at Franklin School were favorable in the greatest percentage of 193 votes there 181 were for and 12 against. At May Greene School 157 favored the issue, 14 voted against it. Voters at the Broadway School precinct cast 250 votes, 208 of them for the bond proposal and 42 against. At Common Pleas Courthouse, where 372 votes were turned in, 325 were for and 47 against.

The 1,583 votes cast Tuesday were slightly greater than the 1,530 total cast on Nov. 15, 1933, when a proposed issue of $130,000 failed of passage. At the time 538 voted for and 992 against the issue. The proposal then was for the district to buy school sites and to build schools, including one at the Lorimier School location.

The last bond issue to be approved in Cape Girardeau was 11 years ago when $300,000 was voted on Oct. 22, 1925, the funds being used for construction of Franklin School and additions to other existing schools.

P-T units active

Those closely in touch with the election yesterday said that the work of officers and members of the Parent-Teacher organizations evidently did much both toward getting out voters and in creating sentiment that was favorable.

As had been announced, the voting places closed at 6 p.m. but a number of potential voters apparently were too slow in going to cast a ballot. At nearly all of the six voting places the judges had to close the doors and break a stream of voters when closing time came.

There were 11 votes thrown out by the judges. In each case, it was said, the voter failed to mark the ballot according to instructions on the printed ballots, and the election officials could not determine if the vote was meant for or against the proposal.

And then the school board, and the city, played a waiting game with the federal government.

At stake was grant money from the PWA, which would decide whether a small school would be constructed, or the larger building with the auditorium/gymnasium wing.

By early July 1936, the PWA application was approved, but it wasn’t until October that the funds — $59,787 — were released for the new Lorimier School’s construction.

Following are articles that track the progress of the school's construction to when it opened its doors for classes Sept. 7, 1937.

Published Oct. 27, 1936, in the Southeast Missourian:

To start new school here by Dec. 1

Construction work on the new elementary school at the Old Lorimier grounds can be started by Dec. 1, William B. Ittner, the board’s architect, told members of the Board of Education at a conference Monday night. The board adopted a resolution approving detailed plans for the school, and they will now be sent (to) the state department of education and the PWA for final official approval. The PWA last week allocated $59,787 as a grant toward the project.

The plans are substantially the same as outlined by Mr. Ittner to the board several months ago, but a few minor details were settled. The building will face north, toward Independence Street with two main entrances from Independence Street and other walks leading to the gymnasium and the cafeteria wing.

To sell bonds soon

Members of the board prepared to take steps too to have the bonds, voted by the district in June, printed and sold. Plans are to place the bonds shortly, it was said. The district voted $85,000 bonds, but not the entire issue is to be sold as not all the amount will be needed.

The board also decided to submit a new WPA (Works Progress Administration) application, which would call for expenditure of approximately $16,000 on the Lorimier grounds. If approved the project would permit moving a lot of earth, in filling the low area at the southeast corner of the ground. Some terracing also would be done near the rear of the plot, where a slope is now exposed to erosion. The main part of the grounds was graded last winter through a WPA job.

The proposed fill and terracing project would not interfere with the building, as it would be south and east of where the school will be located. The new structure will be partially where the Old Lorimier structure stood.

The plan is to have the school ready for use next autumn.

Published Dec. 12, 1936, in the Southeast Missourian:

School board lets contract for structure

Through a resolution voted favorably upon by all members, the Board of Education late Friday let a contract to E.A. Brunson Construction Co. of St. Louis for construction of the new two-story elementary school on the Old Lorimier School grounds. Six bids had been received by the board earlier in the afternoon and the successful bidder was the company turning in the lowest bid Members of the board said the Brunson figure proved to be the lowest bid, with alternate units figured in.

Construction work will start about Jan. 1.

With the alternate phases added to the base bid of $117,850, the Brunson contract will run approximately $120,300. The school is to cost an estimated $139,000, including equipment, construction supervision, architect and miscellaneous.

Above estimates

This is $7,000 more than the previous estimates made at the time the PWA granted $57,000 toward the project. Now the board plans to submit a new application to the government agency for a portion of the added $7,000.

Besides the grant, the school district this year voted a bond issue of $85,000 to be used in building the downtown school.

Each contractor submitted various alternate bids, the added items to be tacked on to the base bid in the event the Board of Education and PWA officials, who were here, decided to have portions of the work done a certain way or more expensive materials are chosen.

Other work added

It was decided, as the bid was accepted, that the following added bits of construction would be done:

Make school drive of concrete, adding $950.

Cement base to be used in certain rooms of the school, adding $215.

Damp proofing, adding $465.

Oak wood finishing instead of pine, adding $710.

Temporary radiation, $1 per radiator.

Exhaust fan circuits, with no fans installed immediately, $70.

School yard illumination, $105.

Approved by WPA

The contract was approved by representatives of the State Department of Education and the Pubic Works Administration, as well as the Board of Education. Architect William B. Ittner and Engineer Alexander of the Ittner firm also attended the meeting at which the bids were received.

No representative of the Brunson Company was here Friday, but heads of the company are to come here during the week, to hold conferences and sign necessary papers. It was said Brunson has been doing a large amount of WPA project construction.

The PWA requires that the excavating shall start by Jan. 11, 1937, and it was said the company plans to do some preliminary work possibly late in December.

Grounds already graded

The large Lorimier grounds on Independence Street at Fountain Street were graded and retaining walls were built last year.

The school is to be ready for use by the opening of the fall term in 1937.

Other companies submitting bids yesterday were: Smirl & Gibson of Jacksonville, Illinois; Hunt Construction Co. of Harrisburg, Illinois; Charles Closter Co. of St. Louis; John J. Miller Construction Co. of Illmo and Palmer & Boyer of Eldorado, Illinois.

Published Jan. 5, 1937, in the Southeast Missourian:

Keep old name for new school

Lorimier is to be retained as the name of the new school to be erected on the historic site at Independence and Fountain streets, the Board of Education decided at a meeting Monday night when final details for getting the construction project under way were discussed.

It was suggested that it might be called New Lorimier, but the board came to the conclusion that it should be merely Lorimier School.

A corner stone design was approved. It will carry the date, the name of William B. Ittner, architect, and a PWA notation. The name, “Lorimier School,” will be on a large stone panel over the front of the school. Later, it was said, when the building is nearly finished, a bronze plate is to be placed on the interior, giving other information, probably including names of board members, etc.

Work is started

Preliminary work on the school was started today. Workers are from the national re-employment office rolls, with those of relief status to be given preference. Already 200 workers, in a blanket call, have been requisitioned.

A formal ground-breaking ceremony is planned at the school site for Wednesday morning. Completed and equipped the building will cost $139,155.

Supt. Louis J. Schultz said E.A. Brunson, the contractor, had asked that the board pass a resolution fixing an added class of workers for the project, that of “rough carpenters.” He asked that the scale be made 50 cents an hour. The contractor was quoted as saying this classification had been left out of the list of workers in the wage scale set up.

Workers’ classification

Two other classes of carpenters, finishers and apprentices, had been set up. Members of the board discussed the matter at some length, and decided to make a further investigation before amending the scale. The carpenters in question would do such work as form building.

It was stated at the meeting that William Redding of Cape Girardeau has the sub-contract for the painting. It was also said that the United Electric Co. here may be given the electrical wiring job.

The bond issue of $85,000 voted last year, was discussed, and it was stated by Supt. Schultz and Walter H. Obrheide that contract has been made with the local banks for purchase of $74,000 of the bonds. Actual sale of part of these may be delayed somewhat, it was said, so interest can be saved. The rate of interest on the bonds is to be 3%, while that on some of the older bonds issued by the district was 5%.

All members were present, but Chairman B. Hugh Smith had to leave shortly after the session opened, and vice chairman, H.A. Lang, took charge.

The above photo, snapped just before noon Jan. 6, 1937, shows the group at the ceremonies incident to the official start of the construction of the Lorimier School. May Greene, veteran retired teacher of the city's public school system, is shown with spade in hand just before turning the first earth in the construction. From left to right others in the picture are E.B. Whitney, architectural representative; Supt. of Schools L.J. Schultz; E.L.McClintock, a member of the school board; J.B. Tagg, PWA inspector; H.A. Lang, a member of the board; Mayor Charles G. Wilson; John Kraft, a member of the board; Alice Carroll, principal of Washington School; Alma Schrader, principal of May Greene School and president of Southeast Missouri Teachers Association; City Comissioner L.H. Butler, and E.A. Brunson of St. Louis, general contractor.Southeast Missourian archive

Published Jan. 6, 1937, Southeast Missourian:

Work on Lorimier School started with ceremonial

While a crowd of about 100 citizens stood in a cold, misty morning on the muddy site of Lorimier School, Miss May Greene, veteran of the city’s public school system, turned the first shovel of soil to start officially construction of Cape Girardeau’s newest school building.

The act was the beginning of Lorimier School, to cost about $135,000, a building which will house eight classrooms, an auditorium-gymnasium and cafeteria. Miss Greene turned the spade of earth after the implement was forced into the ground by E.A. Brunson of St. Louis, the contractor, and in a brief remark to the assembled crowd said:

“I hope the children attending this school will have as happy memories of it as we have today in recalling this site of the city’s first school.”

School board attend

Assembled at the site were Supt. Louis J. Schultz of the public schools; E.L. McClintock, John Kraft, H.A. Lang and Walter Oberheide, all members of the Board of Education; Mayor Charles G. Wilson; E.B. Whitney representing the architectural firm of William B. Ittner, Inc., which designed the building; J.B. Tagg, inspector for the Public Works Administration; Miss Alma Schrader, principal of May Greene School and president of the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association; Miss Alice Carroll, principal of Washington School, and City Commissioner L.H. Butler.

The ceremony officially starting the construction work was brief and remarks were made by Mayor Wilson, who pointed to the new school as another link in the city’s progress. Supt. Schultz also made a few remarks in which he pointed to the advancement of the city’s public schools and the service this new school will render to the downtown section. Some remarks also were made by the PWA architectural representatives.

Preliminary work was started, such as staking off the ground, but because of the condition of the weather only a few men were put to work today and work will begin on a large scale in another day or two barring further rainfall.

A crowd of around 500 gathered April 2, 1937, for the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the new Lorimier School. In the center of the photo, Masons perform their ancient rites. The view is looking to the east, with Eastview in the background. The photo was submitted to the Missourian by Hanover Lutheran Church. Southeast Missourian archive

Published April 3, 1937, in the Southeast Missourian:

Hold ceremony for new school on historic site

Cornerstone laying ceremonies at Lorimier School Friday afternoon marked another important episode for the historic site on Independence Street, the spot where the first public school here was built. With a number of the leading educators of the community and district participating, current and historic papers were placed for the benefit of posterity in the two-foot Bedford limestone block, which is in the main wall of the structure, just to the left of the main entrance of the new grammar school. A crowd of about 500 persons attended the program.

Masons directed the actual cornerstone formalities, Dr. G.W. Walker, Missouri grand master, being in charge. In opening remarks the grand master said the new unit will be a part of the school system of which this community is justly proud. The ceremony of placing cornerstones, he said, is an ancient one passed down through the centuries.

Masonic rites

The invocation was by the Rev. W.A. Humphreys, Judge J.A. Kinder tested the stone with the mechanical square, L.G. Stovall applied the construction level and Glenn McLain used the builder’s plumb to make the third formal test of the cornerstone.

Other Masons participated in the program, including E.P. Ellis, who placed the documents inside the corner block. The contents included copies of newspapers, sheets of paper bearing the names of nearly 700 of the former pupils at Old Lorimier School, and other papers.

Dr. Walker introduced B. Hugh Smith, president of the Board of Education, who presided during the remainder of the program. Mr. Smith presented Dr. W.W. Parker, State College president, who gave a brief address.

A historic occasion

“This is a historic spot and an historic occasion. There have been many distinguished persons here,” Dr. Parker said. “This school is a typical American institution. The building will be for all the children of all the people. American education is popular, it is not exclusive.”

“Education is a necessity in a democracy; we are our own governors, and we get what we merit.” Dr. Parker pointed out that a majority of American children receive an education, while in many foreign countries an education of high school standards is to be had only by a few.

The speaker praised the philosophy of American education, but pointed out that the country spends too little toward education. More will be expended for automobiles this year than for education, and many times more for life insurance than upon education, he stated.

Guests introduced

A number of others were introduced by Mr. Smith, most of them speaking very briefly. These included Miss May Greene, former pupil and teacher at Old Lorimier. Applause broke out when she was presented to the audience. Miss Greene for a half century was a Cape teacher

Others introduced included Charles L. Blanton, district WPA director; James B. Stagg, PWA representative; R.B. Alexander, representing the William B. Ittner architectural firm; Wayne Kimler, superintendent of construction for contractor E.A. Brunson; Byron Masterson, state school inspector; Prof. L.J. Schultz, superintendent of schools, and the other members of the Board of Education: Hugo A. Lang, Walter Oberheide, J. Morton Thompson, E.L. McClintock and John Craft.

Music for the occasion was played by the Central High School Band.

Workmen, busy building the structure, halted their activity at 3 p.m., when the program started. The first floor walls of the building have now been well started and the window casings are in place.

Published Sept. 7, 1937, in the Southeast Missourian:

New Lorimier ready to use as term opens

Lorimier school, built on the exact spot where the pioneer Lorimier School was erected in 1871, a building combining beauty and utility, started the new term this morning, under direction of Miss Alice P. Carroll, as principal.

Not all the equipment was on hand, but there is enough so that the school can get its initiation, although the public dedication has been delayed a week or two. The Board of Education has tentatively accepted the structure as to the general contract, the Brunson Construction Co. of St. Louis having finished its obligations last week. Construction Supt. George F. Trost has returned to St. Louis.

The 1937 model school, from furnace room to primary department is complete and attractive. It is a project amounting to $130,000 not including the ground and major grading job which filled mammoth depressions and removed large mounds of earth.

There are four classrooms on the second floor and four on the first floor, besides the shop department, and the auditorium. Also upstairs is the library, at the east end of the school, and a clinic. The cafeteria-music room is on the basement level.

Building is fireproof

The fireproof building should stand for years, from its appearance. The floors are virtually all covered with terrazzo, and the marble serves to give the structure a distinctive look.

The corridors are in buff brick and a border of green brick, with the ceilings in white. The various rooms are covered with battleship type coverings — 10 1/2 tons of the material being on the floor. This is brown in color. The woodwork generally is oak, except the doors are birch. The floor of the auditorium-gymnasium is maple.

Metal lockers flanking the classrooms have lever control for the doors and locks, one operation opening, closing or locking a string of the metal cases. The teachers will control handling of them, and the equipment is made so as to be operated noiselessly.

A decorative touch for the corridors is a series of four ornamental backs for as many drinking fountains. These are done in colored tile, and touch off the fountains which ordinarily are only utility units. The picture subjects are “Huck Finn,” “Three Men in a Tub,” “John Silver and His Parrot” and “Sing a Song of Six Pence.” The panels are five feet high.

Marble for beauty

Even in the auxiliary rooms marble is used, to say nothing of beautiful and substantial hardware. In the classrooms large quantities of cork were placed on the walls, for posting school work.

The cork is employed extensively around the primary room. That room is particularly attractive, with an electric fireplace and a bay window breaking the monotony of the walls.

Attention was given to acoustical arrangement, and the sound problem was taken care of in the auditorium and other rooms of the structure. Also in the auditorium the seats may be folded flat and put under the stage on trucks, which may be wheeled out and run to any place in the gym. The stage is 16 by 22 feet and the gym floor is 62 by 40 feet.

There is a shower room for boys and one for girls. In the main corridor a glass case was built in, and awaits trophies that pupils of the school may win in years to come. The principal’s room is still devoid of furniture, but has a master clock that in itself almost furnishes the room.

Lorimier was built at the direction of the Board of Education, with funds furnished by the school district and the PWA, and the William B. Ittner firm of St. Louis was architect.

The ground has been nearly finished, and a portion of the space is now being covered with cinders, for a play plot. A new pavement leads around to the rear of the school and three cement walks lead to the front entrances.

A mechanical feature is an electric hoist in the furnace room, by which the cinders are raised over a motor truck where they may be dumped and taken away without being moved by hand.

New Lorimier School was dedicated Sunday, Jan. 16, 1938, with Allen L. Oliver as the main speaker,

At the time the school opened in the fall of 1937, it housed 360 pupils, and the total enrollment in the city’s public schools was 3,157. Including the new Lorimier School, those pupils studied at May Greene School (661), Jefferson (108), Washington (397), Franklin (594), Central High (587) and John S. Cobb (for African American youngsters) (250).

Lorimier continued to serve as a school until 1975. The following year the City of Cape Girardeau purchased it from the Board of Education for $200,000, and it was converted into City Hall.

With the restoration and expansion of Common Pleas Courthouse, City Hall was moved to that facility early in 2022. The old school was offered for sale in February 2023 and was purchased in July of that year by the Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation. Through the efforts of the foundation, under the leadership of Bert J. and Mary Ann Kellerman, Kellerman Lorimier Hall is being restored and refitted as a museum, which will house the life work of Missouri-born artist Charles Rhinehart, the Oliver family collection, a Civil War collection and the Frank Nickell Archive.

Sharon Sanders is the librarian at the Southeast Missourian.