Above is what is commonly known as the South School. Built in 1871, as the Union School, it became known as South School when the East School (later called Central School) opened. It was located in the block bounded by Yankee Road, Main Street, Sixth Street (4th Avenue) and Seventh Street (5th Avenue). The school’s twin towers stood over an entire city block, and could be seen throughout the community. When the school opened, the first two floors were for elementary children, while the third floor was the city’s first high school. During later years, all three floors were used for elementary children. The school closed in 1951, and reopened in 1952 as Bishop Fenwick High School. It was vacated in 1962. On April 23, 1965, it burned down. The Old South Park now sits on the site.
