Ethan Allen School - Philadelphia, PA
N 40° 01.795 W 075° 03.722
18T E 494707 N 4431079
It is very typical to find these old yellow signs on our school buildings. Our schools, especially the ones built in the 20s, are huge, cavernous structures capable of holding at least 200 people in its bowels.
Waymark Code: WM91FY
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 06/13/2010
Views: 4
The sign is way off the ground, about 10 feet, to the right of the right most entrance of the school. The bottom right holder is missing so the sign is a little bent as it is away from the brick to which the rest of it is attached. The capacity number is long gone. There is a 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. The fall-out sign is above this and a little to the left.
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.
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 ha always served educational purposes being a school for 81 consecutive years.