PETER COOPER SCHOOL

PETER COOPER SCHOOL. Located at 17th and White STREETS (then 17th and Sycamore), the Peter Cooper School was constructed in 1889 by the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. The school was named for the builder of the first steam engine to operate on a commercial railroad. Cooper was also important in developing the iron industry and laying the Atlantic cable. (1)

The school opened on February 21, 1890 for primary and secondary pupils. (2) The boundaries of the school included all the last east of the railroad tracks between 8th and 20th Street. The building began with a principal, William C. S. Coy, and two teachers. In 1899 district-wide exhibition of student work was announced. Peter Cooper School was scheduled for June 8th when the school was opened from 2:00-7:30 p.m. for parent viewing. (3)

By 1923 sanitation and location problems faced the school. The focus of controversy for more than a year and demands for action by the Parent Teachers Association the district responded. On March 4, 1924, the Telegraph Herald announced that the building would be closed at the end of the school year. (4)

The structure was relocated to 15th and Maple STREETS and remodeled. (5)

In 1930 Superintendent Earl D. Cline recommended that the building be closed for economic reasons. The school was costing the District $148 per student annually while other schools had an average pupil cost of $90. Dubuque County Superintendent of Schools Joseph Flynn, responding to protests, ordered the school to remain open for another year. (6)

The board of education appealed the ruling to the State Superintendent of Schools Agnes Samuelson. After an investigation, she ordered the school closed. Her study found that PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL offered a better building, equally qualified staff, and a better social environment at lower cost to the taxpayer. The students crossed the railroad tracks at 13th Street where there were gates. A watchman was posted at the crossing.(7)

During the GREAT DEPRESSION it proved impossible to find a buyer for the old building. When placed on the market, only one bid was received and that was rejected. (8) With a national trend toward more social services, the building became the PETER COOPER SOCIAL AND RECREATION CENTER. (9)

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Source:

1. Kruse, Len. "Trials, Tribulations of Peter Cooper School Now Just Memories," Telegraph Herald, July 18, 1995, p. 16. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BHRjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sXkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2067,2763326&dq=peter+cooper+school+dubuque&hl=en

2. Kruse, Len. "Peter Cooper School and Recreation Center." My Old Dubuque. Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, 2000, p. 288

3. "Exhibit of School Work," Dubuque Daily Herald, June 7, 1899, p. 8. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OQhBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OagMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3040,971703&dq=peter+cooper+school+dubuque&hl=en

4. Kruse, Len.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. "Agnes Samuelson Approves Closing Dubuque School," Telegraph Herald and Times Journal, December 14, 1930, p. 4. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UNFFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cr0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4597,1589620&dq=peter+cooper+school+dubuque&hl=en

8. "Cline Named to Continue Head of Public Schools," Telegraph Herald and Times Journal, April 12, 1932, p. 7. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pL5FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lb0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3674,547244&dq=peter+cooper+school+dubuque&hl=en

9. Kruse, Len, p. 289