Fred Lynch retired in 2018 after capturing images for the Southeast Missourian since 1975, in that time moving from black-and-white to color, from film to digital and to video. The blog title is a nod to an earlier era of news photography and the 4x5 Speed Graphic: It's more important to be there for the shot than to worry about technical details.

Original Central High gymnasium

Posted Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at 7:30 AM

This picture by G.D. Fronabarger shows boys playing basketball in the gymnasium at the original Central High School building, 101 S. Pacific Avenue.

The boys appear to be junior high students, so it was likely taken during the late 1950s or early 1960s.

The building was constructed in 1915 and continued to serve as the district high school until 1953, when a new facility was constructed on Caruthers Avenue. The old school then became the district's junior high school.

On Oct. 24, 1965, it was rededicated as Louis J. Schultz School, housing a seventh-grade center. In 2002, Schultz School closed.

In May 2005, the alternative school was moved into renovated quarters at Schultz.

Developer Chad Hartle purchased the old school in 2008 which he renovated into Schultz Senior Apartments.

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Here's what Schultz School looks like today in its rebirth as Schultz Senior Apartments.

Outside:

http://www.capecentralhigh.com/cape-photos/schultz-senior-apartments-i/

Inside:

http://www.capecentralhigh.com/cape-photos/schultz-senior-apartments-ii/

This is one of the best examples of how someone with a little vision can take an aging landmark building and give it new life.

-- Posted by ksteinhoff on Wed, Jan 19, 2011, at 8:41 AM
Well, a little vision, and a lot of state tax credits and government underwritten loans and grants.

-- Posted by Marion_Morrison on Wed, Jan 19, 2011, at 8:44 AM
Marion,

This was a good use of those credits and grants. It turned what could have been a decaying white elephant into affordable senior housing, provided employment to construction workers when building was in the toilet, improved the whole neighborhood and preserved a city landmark.

Too bad someone couldn't have done that with the old shoe factory.

-- Posted by ksteinhoff on Wed, Jan 19, 2011, at 9:15 AM
I can tell you that whatever it cost today to preserve the school will seem like peanuts in 100 years and the school is still there for everyone to enjoy!

-- Posted by Veteran2 on Wed, Jan 19, 2011, at 9:25 AM
For those old enough to remember, there was a brass fireman's pole on the North end of the gymn from the balcony to the floor. It was a hoot!

-- Posted by Yankee Station on Thu, Jan 20, 2011, at 9:13 AM

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