The Emerson School Property Part 4: A New Start

This is the final installation of the Emerson School Property Series

Photo courtesy of Dave Simonis,
circa early 2000

Nearly a decade after complaints were raised about the aging structures on Clark Street, a new vocational school was completed on Michigan Avenue in 1962. An incredibly modern building, the new facility was welcomed by the city. The vocational school moved to the new building and vacated the ailing 19^th century property slated for demolition.

By 1962 fresh dirt covered the ground where the original imposing red brick Queen Anne structure once stood. No sign was left of the decrepit 40-year-old temporary barracks. Some of the space was paved over for parking and on the Reserve Street side of the property playground equipment was eventually installed.

1915 The Nooz Commencement Booklet

During the 1960s the Annex continued to be used by the junior high. As Stevens Point’s population continued to increase, classroom space was again needed. Benjamin Franklin Junior High opened the fall of 1968, and later, in 1970, a new up to date three-year high school opened, today’s Stevens Point Area Senior High. That same year Emerson’s seventh and eighth grades moved to the PJ Jacobs building to join the freshmen, and Emerson began life as an elementary school for grades three through six, with the younger students attending nearby Jefferson Elementary.

Circa 1980s. Note the stone with in front on the left near the flag pole. It had a plaque donated by the graduating class of 1907. The location of the stone is unknown to author today. Photo source unknown.

In 1982 the property changed hands from the City of Stevens Point to the newly independent Stevens Point School District and usage shifted. The building sat vacant for a bit. It was later used by Jefferson Elementary students while an expansion was added to their school. Various extracurricular activities were held at the building over this time like aerobics classes, wresting practice and tap dance lessons. Emerson hosted its final students over the course of the last decade in the 20^th century. During 1991- 2001 it was used for the growing SPASH Alternative Programs which had moved from the old Grant Elementary School, another building slated for the wrecking ball. Parts of the Emerson facility were off limits during that time due to safety concerns. The aging building was nearing its end.

Note the fencing in front of the school. This photo was taken most likely after a condemn order was imposed. Circa 2002. Photo Source unknown.

The final 79-year-old brick structure was demolished in 2002. Long gone were the days of cramped classrooms, the barracks and basketball at the Parish House and Normal School. “The large smoke stack [sic]…tumbled with one hit to the center by a massive crane…” and thus ended the 109-year era of public school buildings on the property.

Over the course of a century, the Emerson property served the area’s students well. It is only right that after nearly 20 years of vacancy that the land continues to serve the children of the city in one of the best ways known, as a public park with space to grow and be free.

Google image circa 2018

For more information on the project plans for this property please see Friends of Emerson Park and consider making a donation

Read Part 1 here / Read Part 2 here / Read Part 3 here / Read Part 4 here

Sources Used

• Stevens Point Daily Journal
• Portage County Gazette
• Stevens Point High School yearbooks
• Emerson High School yearbooks
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
• Personal accounts