The top photo is that of number 362 Pleasant Avenue circa 1920 and shows the majestic P.S. 78 in East Harlem. The castle-like structure is an obvious C.B.J. Snyder building which provided grandeur and European aesthetics to even the poorest districts in turn of the century New York City. Today, a squat, mid-century school building sits on the same lot dominated with a large gated playground (lower photo). We are not sure when the original building at the corner of East 119th Street was demolished but from the look of the more present building, the 1950's would probably be a safe bet. Read more about the Superintendent of School Buildings that created the highest standards for public high schools in our past post:
LINK. Archival photo courtesy of
NYPL. Current photo by Ulysses
The top photo is that of number 362 Pleasant Avenue circa 1920 and shows the majestic P.S. 78 in East Harlem. The castle-like structure is an obvious C.B.J. Snyder building which provided grandeur and European aesthetics to even the poorest districts in turn of the century New York City. Today, a squat, mid-century school building sits on the same lot dominated with a large gated playground (lower photo). We are not sure when the original building at the corner of East 119th Street was demolished but from the look of the more present building, the 1950's would probably be a safe bet. Read more about the Superintendent of School Buildings that created the highest standards for public high schools in our past post: LINK. Archival photo courtesy of NYPL. Current photo by Ulysses
I attended P.S. 78 in the 60s. It was a beautiful building inside also. I especially liked the staircase leading to the library. I was sad to see it taken down.
ReplyDeleteI also attended P.S. 78 between 1957 and 1963 and the school was demolished several years after I left...so it had to be in the late 60s. My mom was a school aide there from the early 60s and made the move into the new school built on the same block. The principal was Mrs. Waltzer at the time. A very popular assistant principal was Miss Coppano who married and became Mrs Ganzert. I lived on 118th St and Pleasant Ave.
ReplyDeleteIt was demolished in 1971.
ReplyDeleteI graduated from P.S. 206 which is the school they built to replace P.S. 78.it was demolished in 1970 the same year I graduated. I watch the school come down.
DeleteI graduated PS78 in 1960. I distinctly remember that the left side building had a cornerstone date of 1925, and the right side building had a cornerstone date of 1873. I had Miss Coppano (Connie) as my fifth grade teacher, and Mr. Bickoff (Sigfried) as a 6th grade teacher. He went on to become the Principal of a school in Queens. I very much enjoyed the coal truck making deliveries to the school for the heating system. There was coal dust all over the place when they dropped the coal into a chute that led to the basement.
ReplyDeleteIf you look closely at the photo, you will see that PS 78 was actually comprised of 3 different buildings, all built at different times. I attended the school in the late 1950's. The main building stood on the corner of Pleasant Ave & 119th street. Looking down 119th street, the last structure you see was a building addition added on in the early 1900's, which housed the gym and small basketball court. I remember Mr. Flicker was a teacher who taught us to play sports in that Gym. It was a great time to grow up in New York (1950's) , and sadly, those days can never be recaptured.
ReplyDeleteMr. Arnold Flicker was my 5th grade teacher. What a great teacher and good and kind man. Later in his career he became the Assistant Principal at P.S. 96 which stands on East 120th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
DeleteI remember Ms Capanno, Mr Paul Mr. Shandruff was my 6th grade teacher and Mrs heart was Kindengarden teacher. Does anyone remember John the custodian. I remember everything about PS 78 the auditorium cafeteria so call liberary lol. Lunchroom. Remember where we use to line up. The bathrooms in the first floor a memorary that will always live with me forever.
DeleteI remember them all. Ms. Capanno was a trained opera singer and at times would sing for us in the auditorium. I was a member of the safety squad and at times would help Mr. Jacobs (John) with some not-so-heavy lifting.
DeleteI am Charles Jordan, I attended P.S. 78 during years 1962 - 1968. It had to be destroyed around 1969 or 1970. I recalled the Auditorium, two stairwell to it. Their were two gyms. Main
ReplyDeletestairs with huge banisters. Side of FDR Drive and across were tenement buildings. I remember playing on the large step, across the street playing ringolevio. I recalled the big swinging iron boulders used to break down the building. I cried.
I attended P.S. 78 from 1965 to when it was demolished in 1970 I believe. I cried to see it being demolished, I loved that school, had many happy memories. My favorite was Miss Hart my second grade teacher.
ReplyDeleteI'm Mike I went to 78 early 60s I remember Ms. Capanno
ReplyDeleteshe was one of the nice teacher. and Ms. McCray English
Mr. Hays Gym teacher Ms.Falic. The library,books piled up stacks all over the place I'm trying to find pics of the inside of the school and the surrounding area
Miss Silverstein (1957) Goiter and all. Not so much a teacher but as an opinionated autocrat.
ReplyDelete