Bisbee's Central School

Circa 1915 postcard of Bisbee's Central School. Central school was built in the Italain Renaissance style in 1905 and is located on Howell Avenue. It no longer functions as a school, but is a non-profit arts and cultural center, The Central School Project. Postcard owned by Jean Walker and used with permission.

CORNER STONE LAYING AT CENTRAL SCHOOL

Exercises Will Occur At 3 O’clock this Afternoon

Addresses by Citizens of Bisbee and Songs by School Children Will Provide Interesting Program for the Occasion.

This afternoon at three o’clock the corner stone of the new Central School building will be laid. The exercises will take place at the school grounds, and an interesting program has been prepared for the occasion.

The building of this magnificent school structure is another evidence of the rapid growth and prosperity of Greater Bisbee. More than that, it is another evidence of the progressive and liberal spirit which has on this occasion again manifested itself with a lavish hand. The building is being erected at a cost to the taxpayers of $52,500 and is part of the proceeds obtained from the issuance of school bonds authorized at the school election held in this city last February. In that election the school children, imbued with the inspiration for a higher education, took an active part, and the success of the election depended in no small degree to their persistence and enthusiasm on the side of the school bonds. With the issuance of the bonds authorized there were no lack of bidders. The Bank of Bisbee stepped in and was awarded the bonds at the highest premium, and the money was made available immediately. Next came the awarding of the contract, and again a home firm was successful. The plans of Architect Hurst were found to be the best adapted for school purposes, and Boston & Brown were awarded the building contract at the above figures. The total amount of the bond issue was $75,000. The remaining will be used for furnishings for the school building and the purchase of adjoining ground for an enlarged playground. Bisbee will be first in the matter of public school buildings in the territory, and today when we lay the corner stone the citizens of Greater Bisbee have just cause to feel proud.

The corner stone which will be placed in the wall at the left of the main entrance bears the following inscription:

CORNER STONE LAID

1905

SCHOOL TRUSTEES

H. M. Woods

I. W. Wallace

S. W. Clawson

SUPT. OF SCHOOLS

C. F. Philbrook

BUILDERS, ARCHITECT

Boston & Brown. F. C. Hurst.

Transcribed by Jean Walker, 4 Apr 2026. Bisbee Daily Review, Bisbee, AZ 30 Jul 1905. Page 5.

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