Three for One

Smith School was closed in 2019 which ended a nearly one hundred twenty-five-year history of serving the educational needs Oshkosh.  In 1894 the school board received a report on the condition the school buildings and the report was critical of Smith school which had served the community since the mid 1860’s.  It was decided to build a new school and architect from Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee and Joliet, Illinois submitted plans.  William Waters also proposed a design which the school board adopted.  In November of 1895 the construction contract was let to Domke and Meyer, and the building was in use by 1896. 

As Smith school was under construction Mr. Waters got two more school jobs.  The first was for the Wittenberg High School which was built in 1897 using plans like though of Smith School.  The Wittenberg school was slightly larger than Smith school and was constructed of a dark brick whereas Smith school was of a cream-colored brick. That building severed until 1970 and was demolished to make way for a new school. 

The other school erected using similar plans was the Brandon High School.  The Brandon school was somewhat smaller than its predecessors but had dormers on the front and sides as well as a belfry.  The structure was of a light-colored brick and featured a header above the front arches which read “High School”.  It too was razed after the combination with another rural high school. 

The fenestration of the front elevation of all three buildings was the same with two entry arches on the first floor above which were three windows. To the sides on the first floor were sets of double windows and on the second floor a set of double windows flanked by single windows. It was a graceful design worthy of repetition.