WHS Fire by Tom Beardsley and Pete Zizka 8-18-2022 |
In December, 1894
Willimantic citizens approved the building of a new high school that
would consolidate the overcrowded first and second district’s high
schools. A building committee was appointed and later presented the plan
for the high school building which had been drawn up by architect
Charles Beardsley of Bridgeport. The proposed building would be 100x80
feet, “with two stories for school purposes, having room for a large
hall above and can accommodate 250 pupils”. In March, 1896, the contract
to build a high school was awarded to Jeremiah O. Sullivan. On April 2,
1897 the new high school was dedicated and opened. During the
ceremonies, High School Committeeman Thomas Kelley formally presented
the building to the town. It was accepted by George Meloney on behalf of
all the selectmen. Classes at the school began three days later. But on
the morning of April 27, 1913, Willimantic residents woke up to find
that Windham High School had been completely destroyed by fire. The fire
had been discovered at 2:40 A.M. and the fire
companies responded promptly but
when firefighters reached the school, it was apparent that the fire had
progressed rapidly. The heat was so intense that firemen working the
nozzles had to be covered with wet blankets. Crowds soon gathered from
within the city and from surrounding areas. At the height of the blaze,
there were several explosions from the chemistry laboratory. Pieces of
bricks were scattered by the explosions but no one was hurt. The fire
continued to burn throughout the morning. Many of those who came early
stayed on even as more devastated members of the community came to see
what was left of the building. The older part of the high school had
been built in 1896 and the newer part added in 1910. The fire began in
the newer section. This week’s rare photo shows not only the extent of
the damage to the high school building but also the debris that was
scattered by the explosions from the chemistry lab. The fiery destruction
of the grand high school building stunned the whole town and a massive
community effort was put into motion to resolve the problems, and
overcome the tragedy. A special town meeting was then convened to
discuss the building of a new school. Maybe the fine architectural lines
of the old school had not suited everyone.
An editorial in the Chronicle begged the town not to erect a
“fancy building.” “Let it contain the latest improvements in every way
but dispense with the frills.”
And if possible, it asked, “why not integrate the foundations of
the old school into the new?”
On May 6, 1913, after much lengthy and heated discussion, the
town appropriated $150,000 for the erection of a new high school
building, and made provision for $75,000 worth of bonds from the
insurance money Many thought $150,000 was far too much, and there was
much support to rebuild the school on the remaining foundations, which
would probably cost less than $90,000. A school building committee was
formed that consisted of George F. Taylor, R.F. Mitchell, W.D. Grant,
A.L. Gelinas and M. Eugene
Lincoln. Work started immediately on the new building, and the new
design called for. a modern,
“functional” structure that would accommodate 600 students, a figure
sufficient until 1930. It was completed in a year, and the first classes
were held there in September 1914. The whole third floor was given over
laboratories, as the new school would focus upon the teaching of
scientific principles. The new basement gymnasium compensated “in measure
for the lack of an outdoor playground.”
The school was further enlarged in 1932 by the erection of an
eastern wing that included a new library. This lifted the school's
capacity to 925. This renovation cost
$94,000, and also remodeled the gymnasium into a cafeteria. In 1948,
another $100,000 was expended to build the new Case gymnasium and a
pool. The gym was named for
Principal Egbert Case, who had
served in that post for 38 years,
from 1910-1948.
In 1952, a plan was submitted to build
a new school that would make Willimantic the regional center for high
school education. This was defeated, but the plan to build a new school
was resurrected a decade later, and this too was heavily defeated in a
town referendum in June 1962. In 1967, the overcrowded conditions at the
Prospect Street school led to a town referendum to build a new high
school on a 40.4-acre tract on High Street.
This passed by a 1709-547 vote, and
construction of the new
$5.17 million Windham High
School went ahead. It was planned to hold 1,400 students.
The move took place in 1969.
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