70 YEARS AND COUNTING: FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Franklin Elementary School was built in 1927

A mural by artist Don Greenwood greets students in the first-floor hall.

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean, the Mississippi River Bridge at Cape Girardeau was under construction and a new elementary school opened in Cape Girardeau.

Franklin Elementary is celebrating its 70th anniversary this fall.

Elizabeth Hileman, chairman of the reunion committee for Franklin Parent-Teacher Association, said the anniversary gives the school community a chance to celebrate.

"It's not every school that gets to celebrate 70 years," she said.

Principal James Watkins said the average life span of a school building is 50 years. "For Franklin to still be as attractive and functional as it is, that's quite an accomplishment."

And when the new elementary school is built, Franklin will be the oldest elementary school in the district. Washington school, built in 1914, and May Greene school, built in 1919, are slated to close when the new elementary school on North Sprigg Street opens.

The anniversary celebration for Franklin is planned Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the school. The public, especially Franklin alumni and former teachers, are invited.

A tour of the building is planned, along with presentation of a timeline of the school's history.

"We will have refreshments and a time to mingle and talk and reminisce," she said.

Children will sing the Franklin school song. "Yes, Franklin has a school song," Hileman said. "It's quite old."

The words to the song were written in the late 1940s and were set to music in the early 1950s. "We're reviving that part of Franklin's heritage," Watkins said.

Hileman and other members of the PTA and staff are collecting history about the building, as part of the celebration.

Individuals with pictures or other mementos are asked to bring them to the anniversary celebration.

In particular, school officials are looking for a copy of a Franklin postcard issued years ago and old Franklin school stationary.

In 1927, Franklin was new; built for $175,000 on six acres at the west end of town.

Situated at 215 N. Louisiana, Franklin originally contained 30,000 square feet of space, but enrollment grew as did the city.

The facility was increased in 1931 by 10,000 square feet. According to newspaper reports, "The largest and best equipped gymnasium in the city, with exception of Houck Field House," was put in use.

It was remodeled in 1964 and again in 1973. In 1973, Franklin was a guinea pig school for a new "open classrooms" approach to education. The folding walls are still evident.

When the building was remodeled in the 1970s, it was rewired. "That's one of the reasons why we're accommodating to technology," Watkins said. "But we still blow fuses in some classrooms."

Watkins, the school's staff and PTA have tried to make the building's age and heritage a bonus for students.

"It's important for the students to realize how they are connected to the past with this building, with their ancestors," Watkins said. "We try to develop the theme of family at the school. The history of this building is part of that family relationship. We are all connected as human beings."

Hileman was a student at Franklin. "I remember thinking the building was old then," she said. "I was worried when my child started to school."

But Hileman was pleasantly surprised at what she found.

"I think they have done a wonderful job taking care of the school," she said. "People care about this school. I feel there is a family feeling at school. And this is a time for our family to celebrate."