Lincoln School (Springfield, Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln School
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| Location | 815 N. Sherman Ave., Springfield, Missouri |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1930 |
| Built by | M.E. Gillioz |
| Architect | William B. Ittner, Hawkins and Nicholas |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000508 |
| Added to NRHP | May 31, 2000 |
Lincoln School, also known as Lincoln Hall, is a historic school building in Springfield, Missouri. It was built in 1930 and has a very important history. The school was originally built for African-American students during a time when schools were separated by race.
Today, Lincoln School is part of the Ozarks Technical Community College campus. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, recognizing its special place in history.
Contents
A Look Back: Lincoln School's History
The Lincoln School building was finished in 1930. It was designed by a team of architects, including William B. Ittner, Hawkins, and Nicholas. The building has two stories and is made of red brick. Its design is called "Modern Movement" style, with some cool Art-Deco details. The land for the school cost $15,000, and the M.E. Gillioz Construction Company built it.
This school was very important because it was built for African-American students. Part of the money to build it came from the Rosenwald Fund. This fund helped build schools for African-American children across the Southern United States. The school was first called "New Lincoln Colored School" but soon became known as Lincoln School.
Opening as a High School
Lincoln School opened its doors in 1931. It had fifteen rooms and twelve teachers. The school focused on teaching students skills like industrial arts, which means learning trades and crafts. In the same year, a Boy Scout troop (Troop 35) started at the school.
In 1932, students from another closed school, Douglas School, came to Lincoln School. Lincoln School served as a high school until 1955.
Changing Times: Desegregation
A very important event happened in 1954: the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. This decision said that separating students by race in public schools was against the law. Because of this, schools across the country began to desegregate, meaning students of all races could go to the same schools.
In 1955, Lincoln School's time as a segregated school ended. Students had a choice: they could transfer to a nearby school that used to be only for white students, or they could stay at Lincoln. When Springfield schools became integrated in the 1955–1956 school year, Lincoln School was renamed Eastwood Junior High School.
Becoming a Vocational School
In 1962, the school building closed as Eastwood Junior High. It then reopened as the Graff Vocational and Technical School. A vocational school teaches students specific job skills, like mechanics or healthcare.
In 1991, the building became part of the Ozarks Technical Community College campus in Springfield. Its name was changed to Building A. Then, in 1998, it was renamed Lincoln Hall to honor its long and important history. Over the years, three additions have been built onto the original building. In 2000, the building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lincoln Hall Today
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Today, Lincoln Hall is still a place of learning. It hosts many technical education classes. It also has an Allied Health education program, which trains students for jobs in healthcare.
Famous Former Students
- Mary Jean Price Walls: She was the first African American person to apply to Missouri State University in 1950. She received an honorary degree from the university in 2010.
