Public School No. 69 - Houghton Academy
1725 Clinton Street, Buffalo, New York



Click on photos for larger size


Architect

Associated Buffalo Architects Inc.

Date of Initial Construction

?

Historical and Architectural Importance

The structure is one of five similarly designed elementary school buildings built between 1921 and 1923. The E-type floor plan, which anticipates future additions without compromising the original architectural design, is characteristic of the schools. The center block houses the gymnasium and auditorium with classrooms occupying the side wings. The building use Classical Revival style entrance bays and feature two story pilaster strips flanking flat or curved bays and a Flemish bonding system.

Public schools no. 3, 11, 66, 68 and 69 were designed by Associated Buffalo Architects Inc. The Association, a collective of local architects, was organized 'in 1920 with Charles S. Wood as President. Such prominent Buffalo architects as Edward B. Green, Duane Lyman, Frederick Backus and Max Beierl were members, assisting in the collaboration on each school building design. The Association contracted with the Board of Education for the design and supervision of school building construction. From 1921 to 1925 the Association constructed public schools no. 3, 11, 31, 45, 64, 65, 66, 68, 70 and 200.

Through the lobbying efforts of the Scoville and Wilkes Mother's Club, Public School No. 69 was constructed in what was then a rapidly growing and prosperous east side district. The building was erected on 42 acres of land that includes Houghton Park.

Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings

The school building is located on the south side of Clinton Street between Kelburn and Spann Streets. Clinton Street is a major commercial thoroughfare in this south Buffalo neighborhood. Houghton Park, is located directly to the south of the school.

Other Notable Features of Building and Site

The school building is a four story, seven bay, brick structure with three story, four bay wings extending east and west of the main block. A two story, five bay window extends from the front (north) facade. The E-type plan with flat roof features the Classical Revival style. The symmetrical front facade is divided horizontally by a stone band course at the first has a low stone basement level with brick facing the principal elevations in a Flemish bond style. A rough cut, irregular course, stone terrace with wrought iron rail spans the east, west and north sides of the north wing. The main block features Classical Revival style end bay entrances. The double door entrances are enframed by an entablature stone surround with flanking engaged Doric columns and paneled spandrel area. Above the entrance is a multi-light semicircular window with stone surround and keystone. A one and one half story three sash, 6/6/6 light window extends from the third floor into the second floor over each entrance. The fourth floor end bays are decorated with circular stone medallions. Fourth floor windows in the main block are 6/6 light with stone sills. The end bays of the north wing feature one and one half story round arched openings with stone end stops and keystone. Secondary entrances are located within the arch and are capped by stone lintels. The three center bays are flanked by two story Doric pilaster strips with stone capitals which support an entablature. A brick parapet with stone coping mark the roof line of the wing. The three bay east and west facades of the wing have tripart windows in a round arched opening. The two center bays on the east and west wings project slightly from the facade with window fenestration consisting of four straight headed 6/6 light windows. The bay flanking the main block has narrow 4/4 light windows on each floor.

Building Materials

Stone, brick, concrete

Structural System

Steel frame

Sources

Building-Structure Inventory Form - l984;
"Report of the Buffalo School Survey," Buffalo Municipal Research Bureau, 1931;
Buffalo Times, April 18, 1926.

Page by Chuck LaChiusa
| ...Home Page ...| ..Buffalo Architecture Index...| ..Buffalo History Index... .|....E-Mail ...| ..

web site consulting by ingenious, inc.