Oats Park School
On July 8, 1914 the school district purchased block 5 of the "Oats Park Addition" of Fallon from John and Nellie Oats for $500. Oats Park Grammar School was designed by Frederic Delongchamps, Nevada State Architect, who also designed the Fallon City Hall. Classes began in January of 1915. Additions were added to the south and north ends of the building in 1921 and the gymnasum was built in 1946. The last graduating class at Oats Park School was in 1975. The Oats Park School was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1990.
FALLON'S NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
A Throng of People Attend the Informal Reception—One of the Most Modern and Magnificent School Structures Opened to Public LW Thursday Evening.
Last Thursday evening marked an epoch in the educational progress of the City of Fallon, the event being an informal reception at the new public school building that has just been completed. The building is centrally located on the east side of the Oats park.
On this occasion the building was beautifully illuminated and as the guests entered they were received by committees who escorted them to the cloak rooms, and then made them feel at home in the spacious structure.
As one enters the corridor, the teachers' restroom is on the right, and it is a neat and cozy place. To the south of this is the classroom of the third grade, in the southwest corner, and will be occupied by Miss Stumpf's class. To the left from the entrance is the principal's office and just north of this in the northwest corner of the building is the eighth grade room, presided over by Prof. McKeown. Across the hall in the northeast corner is the sixth and seventh grades, in charge of Miss Coffrin, while in the extreme southeast corner is the fourth and fifth grades in charge of Miss Willis.
Directly in front of the entrance is the main assembly room; with ample seating capacity for the entire school.
Connected with each class room is a large cloak room, while commodious halls are provided. Each classroom is so arranged that the light comes from the left. For instance, in the principal's room the pupils face the north, while just across the hall in Miss Coffrin's room in the northeast corner they face the south, thus in each case permitting the light to fall from the left upon the desks.
The classrooms are all the same size and will accommodate a maximum of 45 pupils, or a total number in the building of 180. When the increased population requires, however, two rooms can be added on the north and two on the south, thus doubling the capacity of the school and accommodating 360 pupils.
The entire building is floored with maple and the doors are of hardwood, all presenting a fine appearance. The heating and ventilation are modern and the best that the board could secure. The lighting system, Which was installed by J. E. Hicks for the contractors, is ample. In the assembly hall there are twenty lights with five on each side. The basement is divided into two separate parts, the south for the
girls and the north for the boys. This lower part of the building has only been completed so far as the hallways and lavatories are concerned, and while provision is made on the boys' side for manual training and in the girls' department for domestic science, these large rooms will be completed later when funds are available.
It is worthy of note that the board brought the cost of the entire structure within the $20,000 bond issue and today there is left $166.44 in the fund. But this will be used for there is some additional work in the way of leveling the yard and constructing a platform in front. The entire structure is a credit to the Fallon District and an honor to the men who have carried the work through and carefully looked after the details of construction. Dr. J. L. Smith, clerk of the board, and Hon. Thos. Dolf, the president, were on hand Thursday evening and took pleasure in escorting the people about the structure and explaining the various plans and purposes. So often in erecting either public or private buildings, those in charge overreach and are compelled to have additional funds, as was the case in the erection of both the high school and grammar school buildings in this place a few years ago. But those in charge of the expenditure of the $20,000 so readily and liberally provided by the people of Fallon District are entitled to great praise for the splendid work they have done and the wise course pursued.
The reception Thursday evening was under the direction of the principal and teachers and the hundreds, of people who visited the building were nicely entertained. Refreshments were served and music was provided by Jewett and Clinton so that those who desired had an opportunity of dancing in the assembly hall, and many there were who joined in this pastime.
This, of course, was only an informal reception, for the formal dedication is to take place at a later date when it is hoped that President Hendrick of the university, State Superintendent John Edwards Bray and other Tearing educators of the state will be present.
School will open in the new building next Monday, and judging from the happy faces of the boys and girls in attendance, they will most heartily appreciate the splendid provisions that the people of the district have made for their mental training.
Churchill County Eagle January 9, 1915