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Wheatley Elementary School

Wheatley Elementary School

City/Town:
Location Class:
Built: 1929 | Abandoned: N/A
Historic Designation: African American Heritage Site
Status: Abandoned
Photojournalist: David Linde

The start and many beginning years of the Wheatley Elementary School are mostly a mystery. But thankfully the date it was built is engraved in the name stone above the door, 1929. In the 1950s the Wheatley School saw lots of improvements, starting with the construction of an auditorium that was about 36×66 feet long. The architect for the project was Horstman and it was completed in August 1957. Other improvements were new window sills installed by the Midwest Marble and Tile Company with a winning bid of $81 and new windows installed by Muskogee Glass Company with a winning bid of $201.90. Following the completion of those projects were the additions of two more classrooms to the school the same year.

Wheatley Elementary School
Wheatley Elementary School 6th Grade Class ca. 1959

Wheatley Elementary School produced many amazing students over the years. Many that went on to become great assets to society and remember their roots. Ones that wore the green and gold colors proudly and chanted the school song with joy.

This is the Wheatley School
assembled here today
we always try to do our best
When at our work or play…

Our school days are ever pleasant
We love our teachers true
We always try to please them
And never break their tules so…

Perseverance is our motto
In union, we shall stand
If one of us should falter
We all will lend a hand, so…

Chorus:
Rah!  Rah!  Rah!  The green and gold.
The name of Wheatley will never grow old.

The school closed in 1970 as a result of integration after the Brown v. Board ruling with the last principal being Alonzo Marshall. Fortunately, this was not the end of the road for this building as it was converted into a head start program run by Jamie Banks Robertson. It had a few other uses after that before ultimately becoming abandoned even displaying “Manual Training School Community Cultural Center” above the door at one point. It is assumed it closed in the early 200s.




Bibliography

https://www.newspapers.com/image/590739887/?terms=wheatley%20school&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/590780982/?terms=wheatley%20school&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/590685550/?terms=wheatley%20school&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/590645199/?terms=wheatley%20school&match=1

 

https://mths1965.com/3/prep_sportswear.htm

Wheatley Elementary School
Emily Cowan

Emily is a two-time published author of "Abandoned Oklahoma: Vanishing History of the Sooner State" and "Abandoned Topeka: Psychiatric Capital of the World". With over two hundred published articles on our websites. Exploring since 2018 every aspect of this has become a passion for her. From educating, fighting to preserve, writing, and learning about history there is nothing she would rather do.

If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. Any and all donations are appreciated.

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Emily Cowan

Emily is a two-time published author of "Abandoned Oklahoma: Vanishing History of the Sooner State" and "Abandoned Topeka: Psychiatric Capital of the World". With over two hundred published articles on our websites. Exploring since 2018 every aspect of this has become a passion for her. From educating, fighting to preserve, writing, and learning about history there is nothing she would rather do.

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