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Remembering our town one bit at a time! Belleville, New Jersey
Belleville Middle School (formerly Belleville High School) |
Our Sponsor The writings of Belleville native Anthony Buccino |
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Designed by architect Charles Granville Jones - the Belleville Middle School, at 279 Washington Avenue at the corner of Holmes Street was built in 1915. The first addition came in 1923, and the second addition in 1936. According to Images of America: Belleville author Nicole T. Canfora: The building was at first 300 feet from the road, and walkways in the shape of semicircles led up to the front doors of the school, which only seniors were able to use. Between the walkways stood a flagpole and sundial. There were boys' and girls' gyms, a cafeteria and many classrooms. Legend has it that there was once a swimming pool, which was covered over with concrete and made into the present lower gym after a student drowned. Former principal Mario DiMaggio said the pool was located under the floor of the present cafeteria and had been used lately for storage. The new Belleville High School was built across from Municipal Stadium on Passaic Avenue and Division Street and opened in October 1964 to house the growing student population. At that time, the old high school was then turned into a junior high for grades 7 through 9. It was later converted to a middle school and has grades 7 and 8. Today, the Belleville school system is k-6, 7-8, 9-12. Charles Granville Jones also designed the town hall, the First National Bank, the Methodist Church, the Public Library. He died in 1938.
Sources Images of America: Belleville - Nicole T. Canfora Mario DiMaggio, Middle School Principal, interview 1990 The Belleville Times article by Anthony Buccino, 1990 Dr. Marilyn McGrath, Middle School Principal, 2004 Belleville Schools/Board of Ed Images of America: Belleville by Nicole Canfora
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OldBelleville.org
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