Whittier School (Waterloo, Iowa)

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Whittier School
Whittier School Waterloo IA pic2.JPG
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Location1500 3rd St., W.
Waterloo, Iowa
Coordinates 42°29′13.6″N92°21′23.4″W / 42.487111°N 92.356500°W / 42.487111; -92.356500 Coordinates: 42°29′13.6″N92°21′23.4″W / 42.487111°N 92.356500°W / 42.487111; -92.356500
Area3 acres (1.2 ha)
Built1906, 1909, 1915
ArchitectJohn G. Ralston
Architectural style Renaissance Revival
MPS Waterloo MPS
NRHP reference No. 04001400 [1]
Added to NRHPDecember 30, 2004

Whittier School is a historic building located in Waterloo, Iowa, United States. The city's west side began a period of rapid growth in the 1890s. By 1904 the property for this school had been purchased for $9,270. [2] Waterloo architect John G. Ralston designed this and the new Emerson School at the same time, and they both opened in 1906. Whitter was part of the development of Waterloo's streetcar subdivisions during the city's housing boom from 1900 to 1920. It was built in four phases between 1906 and 1915. Its H-shape design is an example of the "Platoon School" design, which was meant to improve the health and education of the students by providing more windows for better ventilation and lighting. [2] The structure is also reminiscent of the American Foursquare houses in the surrounding neighborhoods. The building was closed in 1981, and it was later sold. [3] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. [1] The former school has been converted into apartments for low to moderate income people.

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References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 Karen Bode Baxter; Mandy K. Ford. "Whittier School". National Park Service . Retrieved 2016-11-25. with photos
  3. "History". Waterloo Schools. Retrieved 2016-11-25.