Monroe School Campus (Two Bldgs) – Monroe

Current Usage:

School

Description:

The Monroe school campus consists of two WPA buildings: a classroom/gymnasium combination facility and a classroom building. Constructed of rusticated and coursed native sandstone, the classroom/gymnasium combination structure is single story and U-shaped, measuring 108′ on the front and 126′ on each side. The central gabled roof above the gym has dormers, with intersecting gables on either end and on both sides. The roof is now covered with composition shingles. Another gable covers a recessed entryway on the front. Classroom windows, with cut stone sills and metal casements, reach to the eaves. On the rear, inside the U, lean-to additions have been attached. The modifications have not impeached the architectural integrity of the building.
Seventy-five feet east of the classroom/gym facility is the second classroom building. Measuring 39′ by 52′, it is constructed of rusticated and coursed native sandstone. It has a gabled roof of composition shingles, and its side window openings with concrete sills reach to the eaves. Entryways are on each end. Window openings have been reduced in size with wood inserts and newer metal windows installed. The alteration has not impeached the integrity of the structure.
The school buildings are significant because they created a new educational environment conducive to learning, replacing one that was noted for being a firetrap and that admitted little light. As rural WPA buildings, the classroom/gym is notabale because of its exceptional floor plan and its scale. Within the community they are unique architecturally because of their type, style, scale, materials and workmanship. It is significant too that construction of them created work opportunities for unskilled and unemployed laborers in a very remote area along the Arkansas border where private enterprise had been unable to provide jobs previously.

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: On the southwest edge of Monroe, the property begins at the NW corner of SW 1/4, of the SW 1/4, of the NE 1/4, of the SW 1/4 of Sec. 13, T 6 N, R 26 E, and runs 16 rods south, 20 rods east, 16 rods north and 20 rods west.

Sources:

1. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination

Supported Documents:

1. WPA Properties Leflore County – Monroe School Campus

Photos:

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