Commodore Hull School

The Commodore Hull School, now also known as the Commodore Hull School Apartments, is a former elementary school at 130 Oak Avenue in Shelton, Connecticut. It was built in 1907, and is believed to be the first school in the state built using the fireproof combination of terra cotta blocks and reinforced concrete. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[1]

Commodore Hull School
Commodore Hull School is located in Connecticut
Commodore Hull School
Commodore Hull School is located in the United States
Commodore Hull School
Location130 Oak Ave., Shelton, Connecticut
Coordinates41°19′5″N 73°6′3″W
Area0.6 acres (0.24 ha)
Built1907 (1907)
ArchitectMeloy, Arthur S.; Beckwith, Frederick S.
Architectural styleClassical Revival, Neo-Classical Influence
NRHP reference No.83001251[1]
Added to NRHPJune 30, 1983

Description and history

The former Commodore Hull School is located in a residential area northwest of downtown Shelton, on the west side of Oak Street. It is a two-story structure, constructed of terra cotta blocks, brick, and reinforced concrete, with a flat roof. The street-facing facade has a center entrance flanked by large panels of stuccoed concrete, in which sash windows are set on both levels. The side facades each have secondary entrances in projecting center sections, with flanking bands of windows. The building is crowned by a low parapet.[2]

The school was built in 1907, when Shelton was still part of Huntington, but growing rapidly as an urban industrial community. It is significant as an early example of the movement towards completely fireproof school building, in general stirred by the 1871 great fire of Chicago. It was designed by Meloy and Beckwith, and included what were considered the latest advances in fireproof construction. The school was named for Commodore Isaac Hull, a Huntington native who commanded USS Constitution during the War of 1812. It served as a school until 1978.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. William E. Devlin and John Herzan (September 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Commodore Hull School". National Park Service. and Accompanying 9 photos, exterior and interior
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