Ethan Allen School - Philadelphia, PA - People-Named Places on Waymarking.com

According to the National Register of Historic Places, this building has an architectural style of Art Deco. The Allen School is probably one of the most beautiful of Philadelphia school with two breath taking entrances. Even the cornerstone is somewhat interesting and unique. The cornerstone on the lower right hand side of the school with a 1929 date written in a weird kind of Gothic script. It is a huge whitish-gray block set inside the brick about a foot or so off the ground.

From across the street, the school is identical to our other schools built in the same era. Upon closer inspection, the absolute beauty of this structure can be discerned; its architecture is the reason why it was added to the NRHP. When you walk up to it the Art Deco hits you right away. There is spectacular relief work above the left and right entrances. There is extensive frieze work also above the entrances as well as high up top, along the entire front. There is all kinds of colorful patterns and designs on the outer facade as well.

The school is located in the Northeast section of Philly, close to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge surrounded by row homes and an old Catholic Church. The structure has always served educational purposes being a school for 81 consecutive years.

About the Man

Ethan Allen (01-10-1737 to 02-12-1789) was a farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, and American Revolutionary War patriot, hero, and politician. He is best known as one of the founders of the U. S. state of Vermont, and for the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga early in the American Revolutionary War. During the war, Allen was captured and imprisoned by British forces. Allen is an infamous Revolutionary War figure which is the only reason I can think of for naming a Philadelphia School after him. After all, we are the cradle of liberty and Alen had an important hand in rocking it.

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