Early Schools of Lindenhurst

Breslau's 1st school was formed in the old Welwood Station railroad depot, which was moved to School Street in 1870 & is pictured around 1874 with the student body & staff.  Emphasizing the heritage of the early Breslau settlers, lessons were originally given in German.  In 1873, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that there were 240 registered students, although the average attendance was only 200, & the school was "prosperously conducted by a German gentleman."

After a few years, the student population increased & outgrew the old depot schoolhouse.  In 1876, the community erected a new 4-room schoolhouse on School Street just south of the original school.  The building was enlarged with a 22-by-35 foot extension in 1899 & was used until 1910, when it was replaced by a new 3-story brick school, again situated on the aptly named School Street.

Class was guided by Principle George Zoellner (far right) in 1890.  Zoellner apparently had numerous critics.  In 1894, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that Zoellner had been labeled "an anarchist" by local church leaders.  Zoellner denied the charge, & the Eagle claimed, "the charge originates in his refusal to submit to the intermeddling of the clergymen in the affairs of the school.  The school trustees are said to sustain the principal."

Pictured is the 1907 classroom of Reinhold Mertching, who taught English language lessons in the grammar department.  He also served as the school's principal with the yearly salary of $750.  In 1902, the South Side Signal reported that Mertching had "taken unto himself a life partner" & informed the community that "the opening of the school has been deferred until Monday, September 8, in order to allow the principal & his bride to enjoy their honeymoon."

This quaint school educated local students from 1876 to 1910.  The 1899 extension is visible here.  The old school was moved west to North 4th Street & repurposed as a factory, 1st for manufacturing shoes & later for embroidery.  The old timber building succumbed to fire on January 6, 1960.  Its last occupant was the Staple Coat Retail Outlet.

By 1907, the board of education purchased 14 lots on School Street for $5,500 & started making plans for a $45,000 modern school with 16 classrooms.  The price had tripled in the 14 years since the board first considered the land purchase.  Architects Lewis Inglee & Charles Hart of Amityville were engaged to draw the plans.  George E. Libbey of Brooklyn was hired for the construction, as pictured in 1910.

School Street School was ready for students in the fall of 1910.  The 3-story brick structure, trimmed with Roman stone, had a 600-person auditorium, 7 entrances, & up-to-date amenities including a fire alarm, electric lights,  & a drinking fountain.  The South Side Signal declared Lindenhurst "rewarded by having one of the finest school buildings on Long Island."  The majestic building guided the education of several generations but fell victim to demolition in 1987.

The faculty of the new School Street School in 1911 was, from left to right, Agnes Bosley, 3rd grade; Marie Lynch, 4th grade; Ann McHenry, 2nd grade; principal O. Nelson Duesler; George Jommes, board of education; Joseph Baumer, 8th grade; Harriet E. Kelly, 7th grade; Augusta Martini, 1st grade & German; Caroline Burne, 6th grade, Helen Rogers, kindergarten; & Elizabeth McHenry, 5th grade.

The classroom of commercial teacher Lelia Baker is pictured with principal O. nelson Duesler in 1914.  This teacher instructed students in a variety of business & work-related areas, including penmanship, bookkeeping, stenography, & farm management, as dictated by the employment needs of the community.  Students wishing to continue their studies past the 8th grade could transfer to a nearby high school.  Lindenhurst did not build its own high school until 1931.

Community members were invited to attend a 1913 school production.  The South Side Signal reported that "The pupils of Lindenhurst school are preparing a Christmas entertainment to be given in the auditorium of the school....The programme will consist of instrumental & vocal music, recitations & character sketches.  Santa Claus will appear in person to distribute his favors.  200 children will sing the opening & closing choruses & Wrieth's Orchestra will be on hand."

Class of 1895 along the side of the 2nd Schoolhouse, with Principal George Zoellner at rear middle.

Class of 1886, at the front entrance of the 2nd schoolhouse.            

Annex & Playground at rear of School Street School

Principal George Zoellner stands in the rear at the right, photo taken at front entrance of 2nd schoolhouse.

Principal O. Nelson Duesler stands at the right, photo taken on the front steps of the school.

Principal O. Nelson Duesler stands to the left, taken to the side of the front entrance steps.

Miss Harriet E. Kelly's 7th Grade classroom at the newly opened School Street School.

Front of the newly built School Street School, 1910.

The same view as the previous photo some years later, with the walls covered with ivy.

Local press coverage of the School Street Demolition in 1987, 34 years after the building was closed to students & used as storage & administrative office space.  A senior housing complex now stands at the site.

The new Lindenhurst High School, built on Welwood Avenue & opened in 1931.  Currently the Middle School.

The High School some years after opening, before the construction of the rear annex & the Allegheny Avenue Elementary School at the far back end of the property.

High School Principal Edward W. Bower with his secretary Eleanor Klein at their offices in the newly built school, 1931.