Franklin School - St. Charles, MO - Civil Rights Memorials on Waymarking.com

County of building: St. Charles County
Location of building: N 3rd St. & Franklin St., SE corner, St. Charles
Built: 1865;1914;1938
Architectural Style: Craftsman - modern/vernacular
Classified: E
Frenchtown District Map

"Only one of the four schools in the survey area, Franklin School, apparently was part of the public school system; the others have parochial affiliations. A portion of the Franklin School building at 716 N. Third Street was probably standing in 1868, but the façade and north half of the building were added around 1915. By 1909, it was indicated as "negro" on the Sanborn map. ... " ~ Final Report, St. Charles City Survey

"The south half of the Franklin School building at 716 N. Third originally was constructed circa 1865 by St. Charles Borromeo Church as a parish school; in 1870 the building was purchased by the St. Charles School Board for use as a white grade school. To relieve overcrowding in black Lincoln School located in the south end of town, the School Board, in 1902, turned Franklin School over to black students living north of Clark Street. Then, in 1914, the Board closed Lincoln School to blacks and consolidated black education at Franklin School, making it St. Charles' only black school.
  That year the N. Fourth Street building received a north addition, nearly doubling its size, to accommodate the increased student body. Although the new addition displayed a façade of modern design with Craftsman brickwork, it was not until 1925 that the façade on the south half was modified to harmonize. A brick gymnasium constructed in 1938 was reported to be one of the few gyms in the state at that time which was built for black students.

By 1922, Franklin School offered a two year High School program; a decade later, a four year High School was established which also served non-resident black students who were bussed in from outlying towns in St. Charles County. The lower grades were racially integrated in 1354. Five years later the last High School class was graduated." ~ NRHP Nomination Form

"Franklin School
Built: c. 1915
Wall: Brick
Foundation: Stone
Roof: flat
Architectural Style: Modern / Craftsman
Although Franklin School is identified on the 1875 Atlas map and possibly is on the 1869 Bird's Eye View, the façade and north half of the building was constructed between the 1909 & 1917 Sanborn maps where it is indicated as "negro". Vinson states that from 1902-1955 it was a school for blacks." ~ St. Charles City Historic Survey  PDF pages 112-113