Erie School District Boundaries in 1911

Knowing the boundaries of Erie, PA public schools can help figure out what school your parent or grandparent may have attended. The following list includes the borders for each school as they existed in 1911. In general, each school accepted students up to the halfway point of the next closest school, as long as their grade was taught there. In the boundaries of the districts listed here, "to" a street means the side of the street nearest the school, not both sides unless so specified. For example, "To Fifth" means the side of Fifth Street nearest the school of which it is a boundary.

Keep in mind that Millcreek Township wrapped around the City of Erie on three sides, to the east, south and west. The schools on this list were in Erie as it existed in 1911. The schools were referred to by number at that time. I have included the modern names to better describe them. Click here to read about the history of the Erie public schools.

The old Central High School, which was located on Sassafras Street between 10th and 11th Street, accepted students who lived anywhere in the City of Erie, PA. 

School No. 1 Lafayette. Located on northwest corner of 3rd and French Street. Outlying boundaries were north to Lake Erie; south to 5th Street; east to Parade Street; north (both sides of street) to 4th Street; east (both sides) to Wallace Street; north (both sides) to Lake Erie; west to Sassafras Street. 

School No. 2 Jones. Located at 150 East 8th Street (on Holland Street between 7th and 8th). Boundary beginning south on 10th Street from French Street to Holland Street; north to 9th Street; east on 9th Street (both sides of street) to Parade Street; north on Parade Street (both sides) to 8th Street; east on 8th (both sides) to Wallace; north (both sides) to 7th; east on 7th (both sides) to Ash; north (both sides) to 6th; west on 6th (both sides) to Wallace; north (both sides) to 4th; west to Parade; south (both sides) to 5th; west (both sides) to Sassafras; south to 8th; east (both sides) to Peach; south (both sides) to 11th; east to French; north (both sides) to 10th. Note: Students residing on Sassafras Street (both sides) from 6th to 8th Streets attend School No. 16.

School No. 3 Lowell. Located at 158 West 16th (and Sassafras Street). This was the fresh-air school.

School No. 4 Burns. Located at 414 West 5th Street (on West 5th St. near Chestnut). Boundary beginning on Cherry Street (both sides) from Lake Erie to 6th Street; east to Sassafras Street; north on Sassafras to Lake Erie. Note: Students residing on both sides of West 6th Street from Cherry to Sassafras attend School No. 16.

School No. 5 Marshall. 234 East 12th Street (between Holland and German). Boundary was south to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks from Wallace west to Sassafras; north to 12th Street; east to Peach; north to 11th; east on 11th (south side) to French; north to 10th; east to Holland; north to 9th; east to Parade; south to 11th; east to Wallace; south to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks.

School No. 6 Irving. 2310 Plum Street (West 24th between Plum and Cascade). Boundary was north to the Nickel Plate railroad tracks from Cherry to Liberty; north to 18th; west (both sides) to city limits; south to city limits; from west limits east to Hazel; north to 26th; east to Cherry; north to West 19th Street. 

School No. 7 Washington. 148 West 21st Street (near Sassafras Street). Boundary was north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks from French west to Chestnut; north to 18th Street; west to Walnut; south to 19th Street; east to Chestnut; south to 23rd; east on 23rd (both sides) to State; south (both sides) to 24th; east to French; north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks. Note: Both sides of French Street from East 26th Street north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks go to School No. 14.

School No. 8 Columbus. 655 West 16th Street (near Poplar). Boundary was north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks; east to Chestnut Street; south to 18th Street; west to Walnut; south to 19th; west to Liberty; north to 18th; west to Erie City Limits. Note: Liberty Street (both sides) from 19th to 18th and West 18th Street (both sides) west to the city limits to to School No. 6.

School No. 9 Franklin. 2617 Peach Street. Boundary was north to 23rd Street; west to Chestnut; south to 26th; west to Hazel; south to city limits; east to Holland; north to 26th; west to French; north to 24th; west to State; north to 23rd. Note: Both sides of East 26th from French to Holland go to School No. 14.

School No. 10 Gridley. 816 Park Avenue North (between Liberty and Plum). Boundary was north to Lake Erie; east to Cherry; south to 7th; west to Cascade; north to 6th; west on 6th (both sides) to city limits. Note: Students on Cherry (both sides) go to School No. 4. Students between Poplar and Cherry go to School No. 4, 16 or 10 as they prefer.

School No. 12 Wayne. 650 East Ave. Boundary was north to Lake Erie; west to Reed (both sides); south to 17th; east to Wayne Street; south to 10th; east to railroad; south to Lake Shore Railroad tracks; east to city limits.

School No. 13 Penn. 554 East 10th Street. Boundary was north to Lake Erie between Wallace and Reed; south on Wallace to 6th; east to Ash; south to 7th; west to Wallace; south to 8th; west to Parade; south to 11th; east to Wallace; south to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks; east to the P & E Railroad tracks; north to 10th; west to Wayne; north to 7th; west to Reed. Note: Sixth and 7th streets (both sides) from Ash to Wallace go to School No. 2; East 10th (both sides) to East Avenue go to School No. 13; Eighth (both sides) from Parade to Wallace go to School No. 2; Eleventh (both sides) from Parade to Wallace go to School No. 5.

School No. 14 Garfield. 316 East 21st (and German Street). Boundary was north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks; east to Wallace from 16th south to 21st; west (both sides) to Parade; south on Parade (both sides) to 23rd; south to the west side of 28th Street; south on Old French Road to city limits; west to French from Lake Shore Railroad tracks south to 26th; east to Holland; south on Holland (both sides) to city limits. Note: Both sides of French Street go to School No. 14.

School No. 15 Jefferson. East 23rd and Ash Street. Boundary was north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks; east to Wayne Street; west to Wallace from 16th to 21st; west to Parade; south to the city limits. Note: Students living on Old French Road and those living on both sides of Parade from 23rd south to 28th Street go to School No. 15.

School No. 16 Longfellow. 509 West 8th Street (8th and Walnut Street). DESCRIPTION COMING SOON.

School No. 17 McKinley. 961 East 22nd Street. Boundary was west to Wayne Street; south to the city limits; east to city limits; north to the Lake Shore Railroad tracks.

School No. 18 Emerson. 1010 West 10th (and Cascade Street). DESCRIPTION COMING SOON.

Find more educational facts and historic photos of Erie, PA at Old Time Erie

City of Erie Public School Buildings

The old Central High School (postcard decorated with glitter) on Sassafras Street between 10th and 11th St.

City of Erie Public School Buildings

by Debbi Lyon

Ever drive by one of the old schools in the City of Erie, Pennsylvania and wonder when it was built? You've come to the right place.

We'll start with the old Central High School (pictured above), which was located on Sassafras Street between 10th and 11th Street, to the west of St. Peter's grade school. Central was built in 1890 and then enlarged in 1896. The architect on the 1890 job was D. K. Dean & Son; the contractor was Henry Shenk. The architect on the 1896 addition was Joseph Frank and the Kirschner Brothers were the contractors. The school had 32 rooms and 1,136 seats, not counting 1,000 opera chairs in the auditorium. The lot size was 330 x 206 feet. Demolished.

School No. 1 Lafayette. Located on northwest corner of 3rd and French Street. Built in 1877. Designed by D. K. Dean, built by C. Kerner. This four-room school had 201 seats. The lot was 165 x 165 feet. (Still in use in 1923.) Demolished.

School No. 2 Jones. Located at 150 East 8th Street (on Holland Street between 7th and 8th). Named for Erie School Superintendent Henry S. Jones. Designed by Joseph Frank. Built in 1899. This 10 room school had 436 seats. Built on the same site as a three-story brick school that stood from 1860-1899. Lot size 206 x 165 feet. No longer used as a school. Used the Erie School District Administration building. Still standing!

School No. 3 Lowell. Located at 158 West 16th (and Sassafras Street). Named for James Russell Lowell. Designed by D. K. Dean. Built by F. W. Mueller in 1895. This six-room school had 366 seats. Lot size 123 x 128 feet. Classes discontinued after September 1929. Demolished.

School No. 4 Burns. Located at 414 West 5th Street (on West 5th St. near Chestnut). Named for James R. Burns. Designed by Joseph Frank. Built by F. W. Mueller in 1895. This 10 room school had 507 seats. Lot size 165 x 165 feet. No longer used as a school. Still standing!

School No. 5 Marshall. 234 East 12th Street (between Holland and German). Named for John Marshall. Designed by Joseph Frank. Built by S. Kirchner & Sons in 1891. This eight-room school had 414 seats. Lot size 165 x 165. Demolished. (Note: Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School is nearby at 235 East 11th St. It takes up the entire block bordered by Holland, German, 11th and 12th Streets.)

School No. 6 Irving. 2310 Plum Street (West 24th between Plum and Cascade). Named for Washington Irving. Designed by Joseph Frank. Built by H. Himberger in 1897. This 10 room school had 500 seats. Lot size 270 x 180 feet. (Closed in 2012?) Still standing!

School No. 7 Washington. 148 West 21st Street (near Sassafras Street). Designed by D. K. Dean. Built by J. J. Hogan in 1875. This eight-room school had 385 seats. Lot size 325 x 135 feet. Now used as the Erie School District Administration Bldg. Still standing!

School No. 8 Columbus. 655 West 16th Street (near Poplar). Designed by Porter & Watkins. Built by Constable & Ramsey in 1875. This eight-room school had 418 seats. Lot size 247 x 205 feet. No longer used as a school. Still standing!

School No. 9 Franklin. 2617 Peach Street. Designed by Joseph Frank. Built by S. Kirschner & Sons in 1891. This eight-room school had 396 seats. Lot size 165 x 250 feet. No longer used as a school. Still standing!

School No. 10 Gridley. 816 Park Avenue North (between Liberty and Plum). Designed by Porter & Watkins and built by Henry Shenk in 1871; The architect on the 1896 addition was Joseph Frank and the contractor was G. W. Fassett. This eight-room school had 462 seats. Lot size 165 x 165 feet. Now Emerson-Gridley Elementary School. Still standing!

School No. 11 Jackson. East 11th and French Street. Designed by Rose & von Langen. Built by Constable & Ramsey in 1873. This eight-room school had 51 seats. Lot size 123 x 160 feet. Demolished.

School No. 12 Wayne. 650 East Ave. Designed by Porter & Watkins. Built in 1875 by John Hendey. The architect on the 1893 addition was Joseph Frank and the contractor was G. W. Fassett. This eight-room school had 423 seats. Lot size 165 x 165 feet. Was a middle school and now an elementary school. Demolished and rebuilt on the same site. Architects J. W. Yard & Son were awarded the contract to design a three-story fireproof school building at the corner of 6th and East Avenue. Constable Brothers was awarded the contract for the construction of Wayne Middle School, in May of 1913, with a budget of $100,000. Still standing!

School No. 13 Penn. 554 East 10th Street. Designed by D. K. Dean. Built in 1881 by S. Kirschner. Joseph Frank designed the expansion and it was built by William Ackerman in 1896. This ten-room school had 556 seats. Lot size 158 x 160 feet. No longer used as a school. Still standing!

School No. 14 Garfield. 316 East 21st (and German Street). Designed by Joseph Frank. Built by F. W. Mueller in 1895. This ten-room school had 570 seats. Lot size 247 x 170 feet. Demolished.

School No. 15 Jefferson. East 23rd and Ash Street. Designed by Porter & Watkins. Built by Henry Shenk. The architect on the 1890 addition was D. K. Dean & Son and the contractor was C. Kerner. This eight-room school had 442 seats. Lot size 248 x 128. Demolished. (This name was used for the new Jefferson Elementary School at 230 East 38th Street.)

Jefferson Elementary School. 230 East 38th Street. Still standing!

School No. 16 Longfellow. 509 West 8th Street (8th and Walnut Street). Designed by D. K. Dean. Built by C. Kerner in 1883. This eight-room school had 479 seats. Lot size 165 x 196. Still standing!

School No. 17 McKinley. 961 East 22nd Street. Designed by C. P. Cody, built by Gunnison Brothers in 1901. Lot size 270 x 210 feet. Demolished and rebuilt on same lot, different footprint, new address: 933 East 22nd Street.

School No. 18 Emerson. 1010 West 10th (and Cascade Street). Designed by Gaggin & Gaggin. Built by Henry Shenk Co. in 1905 and remodeled or enlarged in 1924. Lot size 247 x 330 feet. No longer used as a school. Still standing!

Burton Elementary School. 1661 Buffalo Road. A very old school which was added onto. It was acquired by the Erie School District when Erie annexed this part of Millcreek Township.) No longer used as a school. Still standing!

JoAnna Connell Elementary School. 1820 East 38th Street. Opened in 1958. Still standing!

Diehl Elementary School. 2300 Fairmont Parkway. Built in 1953. Still standing!

Edison Elementary School. 1921 East Lake Road. Opened between 1925 and 1931. Still standing!

Glenwood Elementary School. 3549 Peach Street. This school was acquired by the Erie School District when Erie annexed this part of Millcreek Township.  Still standing!

Grover Cleveland Elementary School. 1540 West 38th Street. Still standing!

Hamilton Elementary School. 2931 Harvard Ave. No longer used as a public school. Still standing!

Harding Elementary School. 820 Lincoln Ave. K-8 school. The northern addition was built in 1951. Click to view a photo of the Harding addition. Still standing!

Lincoln Elementary School. 831 East 31st Street. Lincoln was built around 1918. Still standing!

Perry Elementary School. 955 West 29th Street (and Cascade). Designed by J. W. Yard. Built by Kirschner Brothers in 1913. Lot size 270 x 330 feet. Still standing!

Roosevelt Middle School. 2300 Cranberry Street. Still standing! 

Wilson Middle School. 718 East 28th Street. Opened in 1927. Still standing!

Academy High School. 2825 State Street. Opened in 1920. (Now Northwest PA Collegiate Academy.) Still standing! Click here for more information about Academy.

Central High School. 3325 Cherry Street. Memorial Jr. High School was built in 1956; Technical Memorial High School was built in 1959. (This school has had different names through the years, such as Tech, Twin Tech, Technical Memorial, Memorial Junior High School was next door, connected by the auditorium.) Still standing!

Strong Vincent High School. 1330 West 8th Street. Designed by W. W. Meyers. Built by Upton-Lang Co. in 1930. Still standing!

Enjoy more fun facts about the history of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie