The type of building erected during the 50’s is well represented by the Alabama School, although this particular building was not completed until 1861. Several buildings of this general type are still in use in the city.... In these early buildings the rooms were large and accommodated enormous numbers of children. Classes ranged from 100 to 200 in each room. There was hardly a square foot of waste space in these buildings. Originally they contained no corridors, no wardrobes, no toilets, no storerooms, no running water, and no heating plants except stoves.[29] [Figs. 9 A and 9 B.]
The Empire School, completed in the fall of 1915, represents the most modern type of school architecture. It is entirely fireproof and so constructed that new wings may be added for future extensions without injuring either the utility or the symmetry of the building. In appearance these newest buildings are great improvements over their immediate predecessors and educationally they are far superior. The windows are banked in sets of five and the masonry is so shaped as to cut off a minimum of light. Auditoriums have slanted floors like theaters, are unobstructed by pillars, and have real stages instead of platforms.
Gymnasiums for boys and for girls, swimming pool, playrooms, toilets, shower baths, auditorium, library, shops, and domestic science rooms can all be shut off from the rest of the building so that they can be conveniently used for social and community center purposes. In these schools mouldings are done away with, doors have no paneling, corners of floors and ceilings are smooth and rounded, stairways have solid balustrades, and every endeavor is made to leave dust and dirt no lodging place. Piping for vacuum cleaning, and the most modern heating, ventilating, and regulating apparatus are installed.[30] [Figs. 10 A and 10 B.]
Fig. 9 A. Ground plan of Alabama School
Fig. 9 B. Exterior of Alabama School
Fig. 10 A. Ground plan of Empire School
Fig. 10 A. Ground plan of Empire School
