| 1920s Rockingham Graded School contributed by Harry West 12-11-03 |
| This is two photos of the later version of the old Rockingham Graded School, also used as the grammar school and high school. These shots was taken after renovations to the photo you have already that is estimated to have been taken around 1900. (Harry is referring to this link: 1900RhamGradedSchool.)The buildings above ceased being used as the high school in the early 1920s with the construction of the present Rockingham High School building on Wall Street - which is scheduled for demoliton in the summer of 2004. It is shot from virtually the same angle (notice the outside "pump house" at the far right). There is one point of discrepancy with the older photo. My Dad attended elementary school in Rockingham from approximately 1911 - 1918, and told me that his classes were on the second floor in a building downtown, next door to the old Richmond Theatre. It is possible that this was some sort of "private" classes, but I seriously doubt it. That would mean that the "Grammar" school was not built until maybe the late teens or early 1920's. Maybe someone will have some info on this.(Updated info on this photo March 10, 2004 - this school started out originally to be built as Richmond Academy which might have been the same as a grammar school or high school. Harry says he attended the Grammar School from 1945 thru 1952, prior to LJ Bell Grammar School opening either in 1953 or 1954. This leads one to believe there was another elementary school in downtown Rockingham close to the old Richmond Theatre and the school above was used as a grammar school and high school over time.) |
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