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Occasionally while writing posts for this blog, I hit roadblocks when doing research. Trenton's Junior High School #1 is no exception. The historic structure is one of two schools that shared property between MLK Jr. Boulevard and Brunswick Avenue. The other was the original Jefferson Elementary School.
The exterior design of the school is beautiful, and hasn't been corrupted much over the years. The imposing facade along MLK Boulevard is a great example of collegiate gothic architecture. The limestone trim and ornamentation has fared well, especially in contrast to the weathered brick that encapsulates it.
Stepping inside was a bit of a disappointment, as the building was clearly a hotspot for taggers and other vandals. As we worked our way through the building, there were still plenty of historic elements throughout the structure to keep our interest.
The main draw for me when I visit abandoned schools is the auditorium. Though many have been modernized over the years, that never happened here. What remained was almost a time capsule, if the damage done by those who visited before me can be overlooked.
The school also had a full sized gymnasium, with fat lancet windows. I haven't seen that in any of the other abandoned schools I've visited, which at the time this post was written includes roughly 40 different facilities in 8 different states.
At some point, the school was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. High School. The Trenton School District shuttered both schools in 2007, leaving the large portion of property completely disused. It wouldn't be for long though, as plans for a new school were approved for the land. The Jefferson school was demolished in 2008, starting with the auditorium.
After the demolition of the Jefferson school was completed, the machines turned on the Junior High School building. Working from the rear once again, they leveled a large section of building that stood behind the original structure. Normally that would be where the auditorium sits. Thankfully and strangely, the auditorium of this school was in a wing off the left side of the main entrance. For some reason demolition was never completed, and the historic main section of the building was left to rot.
The new school currently occupies the southeast portion of the lot, in the shadow of the grand old building which takes up the entire north side of the property. While I remain hopeful something will become of the school, Trenton has a piss poor reputation when it comes to saving their historic school buildings. I'll continue to check up the site until I have something new to write.
I went to Jefferson from Kindergarten to 6th grade 1945 through 1951.
ReplyDeletePrincipal. Miss Mccan, K-Miss Perkins, 1st-Backus, 2nd-McDonald, 3rd- Ivens, 4th-Lewellan, 5th-Logan and 6th-Stone.I was a patrol boy and enjoyed free juice. Great school, teachers and experience. John Suntato (78 years young).
I'm wondering how the blogger got into the building? Just walked in? I've driven by the school over the years (I went there in the early 60s and then moved out of state), and would love to see the inside, but I'm really reluctant to just see if a door is unlocked and go in. Would love to know how he did it.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a shame to say it’s burning down as I type
DeleteYes it's burning. I moved to Trenton in 88 so I remember junior one
DeleteI lived on Evans Avenue in the 70s and 80s. In the early 80s, junior 1 had young talented students. I was one of them.
DeleteI went to Junior 1 1989 I wonder how it looks in the inside
ReplyDeleteI was a teacher at Jr. 1 from 1986 until it closed. This was a beautiful building and the teachers were awesome, some had been there for close to 30 years. I had some really great times there and miss the people and the building. It was a loss to that community when it closed for the last time. You can't afford to build schools like that now.
ReplyDeleteWhy did it close?
DeleteI went to Junior One 1967-68. As a tiny white guy that was egged on to fight every small black guy in the school. If anybody was attending at the same time, they would certainly remember me. No harm was done besides bloody noses and such. I certainly have a great deal of nostalgia seeing these photos.
ReplyDeletemy dad tell me that he whent to jr 1 in 1967
ReplyDeleteDo you mind telling me his name and asking him if he remembers a little white boy that got in a few scuffles in the lunch room or school yard. They would know me as, Spike.
Deletejr 1 is a scary haunted school because i went inside today
ReplyDeletei saw a face in one of the rooms so i ran good thing i'm still alive to this day
jr 1 was a good school in 1967-68 i wondered if i can run that school again i'm the princibal
ReplyDeleteThen you are Mr. Taylor and you pulled me, Spike Kavarnos, off of Michael Ray ( I think), in the cafeteria. He put foot prints all over your nice shinny suit. He kept kicking with his eyes closed after you pulled me away. Is this really you? You would have to at least 90 years old.
DeleteMaybe James Ray? 1968-69-ish
Deletedon't worry i'm opening the school again in dec 20 2020
ReplyDeleteI REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD TIMES I WENT TO THIS SCHOOL PUT I ALSO REMEMBER ALL THE BAD TIMES
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if any of you remember a thin white teacher named Ms. Franklin or Franklee she was our neighbor once she retired and purchased a home in Crosswicks New Jersey
ReplyDeleteone time when i was at school some teenager kids were in the window of the school all the kids that were playing were looking now to this day they're wondering how or how did those teens get in there. there were 2 teens
ReplyDeleteHow do people just walk in? Isn't this located in a tough neighborhood? Not worth the risk!
ReplyDeleteJr 1 was the best, being in North Trenton only add to it's greatness, I made a lot of life long friends going there.
ReplyDeleteI went to Jr 1 from 1973-1976. I really had a nice time there and the most awesome teachers. I was one of the original students that broke the barrier with allowing guys to have economics and girls have shop. Prior to that it was unheard of. I wish they could develop a community center for the community with different activities for the community instead of just letting it sit there and go to waste.
ReplyDeleteMy name is LeeRoy Jordan I attended Jr.1 1963 to 1966. I played soccer and ran track with guys like Ricardo Hearne,Johnny Verden, Lee Grant Moses, Gene's Wade, Stanley Stromam, Doug Battle George Gaines, Joyce Gaines and so many others. The basketball teams, Warren Leverett, Frank Clark,Haywood McKenzie, (all deceased) and Clyd Duncan... I wonder what happened to all the pictures and trophies the memorabilia?
ReplyDeleteI attended Jr 1 as well in the early 80s. We still had a good sports program. Coach Singleton, ⚽️, and 🏀 and ⚾️.
DeleteCoach Singleton, yes red head freckle face…coached me in swimming and soccer…wow!
DeleteI set a county record in the pool the trophy was in the main hall I wonder what happen to it? “Bishop Dr. Fulton Parham”
ReplyDeleteParham how are you doing this Don from mid rose hit me at donnell102273@gmail.com
DeleteI went to junior one in the early 80’s, lived in prospect village, spent time in the nurse office …had a few fights
DeleteWell this historic building has a wealth of fond memories for me; I was a student from 1965-1968 and enjoyed those years. Many classmate became staff members of the Trenton School District and I had the privilege and honor become a teacher at this historic place. I remember the dedicated co-worker who looked passed the so called rough neighborhood. When you are ordain to teach in the inner city, you must count the cost; but foremost love the students and the parents you will encounter The famous say in the Bridge, TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES IS SO TRUE, but the focus is in all inner cities is the negative, why because we have become a society who lives ingesting the negative
ReplyDeleteDo you remember John Mechanics, Eli Bethea, James Ray? I am Spike (James Kavarnos) a little white boy who went there the same time as you.
DeleteWell said. I look fondly on my days of teaching at Jr One from 76-87 before going over to the HS. The sense of community among the staff is what I missed most. Friendships that I have today we're started there. These photos make me sad.
DeleteI went to the school today, neighborhood around it is pretty rough but if you go in the day time you shouldn’t run into any trouble. It’s an amazing spot for anyone who’s into urbex.
ReplyDeleteThis School is done for.
ReplyDeleteI went to junior 1 from 2001 to 2003 crazy i remember watching the twin towers get hit on school TV i was in mrs Apphelbaun and ms Smith class and would swith to Mr Lance North Trenton was the best them days so much memories
ReplyDeleteThis school was a 1916-2007 school, so maybe they should demolish it, I'm kind of scared of this building.
ReplyDeleteIt's on fire now
DeleteI went to Junior 1 form 2005-2006 , and I saw a girl named Pashinette, She was really mean to me, I remember. My name is Jay.
ReplyDeleteYou were in the last group of students to attend school there because due to declining enrollment, and other concerns, no students attended school at this site after June 2006.
DeleteThis building isn't going anywhere no time soon!
ReplyDeleteAnd just two months later, it's burned to the ground.
DeleteI didn't know something like that could happen.
DeleteI attended Jr 1 1960. Had the most fun there. So many great memories. My favorite teacher was Mr Kristofik
ReplyDeleteExcuse me but who the heck is Mr. Kristofik?
DeleteStanley J. Krysztofik. He taught social studies. Room was right across from the entrance to the auditorium balcony.
DeleteIt is burning down right now, omg, terrible sight to see!
ReplyDeleteHere are some cool facts about this school.
ReplyDeleteJunior No. 1: Opened in 1916.
Junior No. 1: Renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in 1990.
MLK Middle School: Closed in 2007.
The fact that they didn't demolish it but demolished the shops area and leaving it there to rot.
ReplyDeleteI also remember a math teacher named, Mr. Canon. He whacked me in the head for walking around during class.
ReplyDeleteMr. Canon was a math teacher at Jr One in 1968 or so. Anybody go to Columbus Elementary School on Brunswick Ave?
DeleteWhy didn't they tear it down after it caught fire? All it is now is just a piece of trash. All they did was put Scaffolding and Bracings like that's going to help. But still sad that the beautiful Auditorium was taken out more than everything else. Usually in Trenton though like normal, after a house burns, they leave it like that so they treated J1 the same.
ReplyDeleteThey're in the process of tearing it down now. Half of it is gone.
DeleteThey're in the process of demolishing it now. Half of it is gone. Just bricks and debris. Trenton Housing Authority wants to turn it into some sort of housing projects that's more modern. The same element will be living in these new homes and destroying them like they did with the newly built Turner Pointe homes that were built in 2018. Already at Turner Pointe homes are there bullet holes in the white plastic fences there and garbage strewn about. Trenton Housing Authority also wants to tear down the Donnelly Homes and build more modern homes. I went to Junior One and was there when they changed it to MLK Middle School in 1992. They also changed the name of the street at that same time from Princeton Avenue to MLK boulevard where crime runs rampant. A lot of these young kids don't care about their community so honestly, I think it's pointless to make new homes for the criminal element. If they took pride in their community, then, yes, I would stay something different but they don't and they never will.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know... They might be getting it from behind then. Because everytime I saw it, it looked like they never touched it.
ReplyDelete(July 30, 2024) Nevermind. It's partially gone.
ReplyDeleteSome of these comments look like they came from a kid who was joking around. This comment here is from JayTubeYT again.
ReplyDelete