When school begins next week, youngsters will head back to a variety of buildings.
There are well-built, well-renovated structures like Greens Farms, Kings Highway and Saugatuck Elementary Schools. One needs renovation (Coleytown El); another is slated for demolition, then an entirely new school (Long Lots).
Bedford Middle School works well, after a quarter century; Coleytown Middle shines, after a mold-induced closing and remodeling.
Then there is our high school. Already 20 years old, the “new” Staples still looks fresh, bright and modern. The $84 million price tag was worth it. It has served generations of students, and will serve many generations more.
But this is only the latest incarnation of Staples High School. Here is a pictorial history, through the years.
In 1884, Horace Staples donated both land and funds to construct the first building. It was on Riverside Avenue, not far from his own home.
Today, the site of the original Staples is the area behind the Saugatuck Elementary School auditorium.
It continued to be used by Bedford Junior High teachers and students until 1967, when it was demolished.
In 1936 — in time for the 50th anniversary of Staples’ first graduating class — a new building was constructed, just north of the original. Today, it’s the central wing of Saugatuck El.
A $800,000 north wing was added 12 years later. It included 5 classrooms, a gym and cafeteria.
The “new” 1948 wing. The original Staples building can be seen in the far background.
In 1959, with school populations surging, the high school moved to a modern new campus on North Avenue.
The California-style architecture included 7 separate buildings, connected by walkways. The design worked well in September, October, May and June. It was a bit problematic the rest of the year.
Clockwise from left: auditorium; vocational arts building; cafeteria; gym; foreign language and other classes; English and social studies; science and math; administration and library.
The view, looking north.
In 1964, an addition on the south added more social studies, math and science classrooms.
A 1978-81 project addressed the many issues of a multi-building, open-air campus (including heating pipes buried inadequately, resulting in frequent malfunctions and disruptions).
The 9 separate structures were all connected. But students and staff continued to refer to the “4 Building” (arts), “6 building” (English and math), etc.
(Photo/Steve Turner)
Eventually, that renovation outlived its usefulness too.
Work began in 2003 on an entirely new Staples. That 3-story building rose, while classes continued in the old one.
Gradually, piece by piece, the old structure was removed.
This was the result, shortly before construction was completed:
And the current view (circa 2020):
(Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Since 1884, generations of Westporters (and, for a long time, Westonites and Wiltonians) have their own memories of Staples’ buildings.
What are yours? Click “Comments” below.
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