Two Cedar Rapids elementary schools marking centennials this week

Two Cedar Rapids elementary schools will mark their 100th birthdays Thursday.

Garfield Elementary, at 1201 Maplewood Dr. NE and Arthur Elementary, at 2630 B Ave. NE, opened in 1915.

The family of Nancy Raue, an alternative kindergarten teacher at Garfield, has been involved with the school since 1918, when her grandfather attended. Her mother later took classes at Garfield, and Raue said she went to kindergarten through fourth grades at the school.

'It was my dream to teach at Garfield,” said Raue, who has taught at Garfield for 21 years.

Garfield is noted for its Egyptian Revival-style architecture. The July 20, 1914 edition of The Gazette noted the building would be 'along the most modern and up-to-date lines in grade school construction.”

Originally, there were five classrooms on the first floor, each equipped with two restrooms. The second floor had an auditorium and another classroom, and there also was a teacher's lounge and principal's office on the first floor. An addition in 1927 added two classrooms to the end of each corridor; while a larger addition in 1953 added 10 classrooms; a combination auditorium-gym; a special education room; a newer teachers' lounge, storage and restroom facilities. The Nov. 8, 1953 Gazette called it an 'artful blend of the new with the old.”

The school still blends the new with the old. There now is a computer lab and a library, and brightly colored playground equipment. But some of the old tin ceiling still is visible at the entrance, and the 1950s-era stove in the old teachers' lounge still works.

'It's still very much a neighborhood school,” said Joy Long, who has been the principal at Garfield for five years.

Arthur Elementary also is a major part of its community, said Angi Hoyer, who has been that school's principal for five years.

'We're nestled right in the middle of a neighborhood,” Hoyer said.

According to the July 22, 1914 Gazette, the plans for Arthur called for 'one of the most modern school structures and the building will be a credit to the city and the neighborhood in which it will be built.”

A lot has changed at Arthur since the early 20th century. It had the first auditorium in the district, but that room now is the cafeteria and music room. Wood floors have been covered with carpet because of termite damage. But the oldest classrooms still have working bathrooms, and the brick exterior of the building retains its charm. It also still has a strong PTA.

Arthur students are split into two buildings; the 1915 original and an annex, which was built across 27th street in 1952. That building now houses children in kindergarten and first grades. While they cross 27th to have lunch and activities in the main building, students from the main building have to cross the street for recess.

Hoyer said having to get ready and crossing the street results in the loss of 25 minutes of instructional time.

'I would love to close 27th from A to B,” Hoyer said, adding a few years ago, parents lobbied the city, but lost.

Aside from their birthdays, Garfield and Arthur have something else in common: they are rumored to be haunted.

Hoyer said a teacher at Arthur died in an upstairs classroom, and staff there have reported hearing the click of her heels going down the halls, as well as doors opening and closing.

Long said it's thought there are two ghosts at Garfield: A little girl and a former teacher.

'Sometimes staff hears noises, toilets flushing,” Long said.

'If I hear something, I run,” Raue added.

That being said, Raue said she, too, eventually may become a specter at the school.

'I'll probably haunt this school, but I'll do it in a good way,” Raue said.