John J. Roe School, First Building on Mitchel, c. 1900, Missouri History Museum, P0900-S02-00286
Like many St. Louis Public Schools, John J. Roe Elementary School started out as an older, Romanesque Revival building that was built when the area it served was largely rural and suburban.
Roe School, School Building, March 1952, Missouri History Museum, P0900-28643-01-4a
Then the great firm of Ittner/Milligan came in during the early Twentieth Century and left its imprint of beauty meshed with utility on the landscape of St. Louis. I know for a fact I was with Rob Powers the day he photographed this school over a decade ago and I could have sworn I took pictures, too, but I think it was so cloudy I never posted mine. It seems like Built St. Louis never posted them, either.
In this case, it is the hand of Rockwell M. Milligan, and this school open in 1919, at least according to its cornerstone.
John J. Roe Schoo, 1921 Prather Ave. September 1927, Missouri History Museum, P0900-S02-00287
Like many schools, it is built in the Tudor Revival style, showing the influence of English “public schools,” which are actually the private schools in that country. Like many Ittner/Milligan schools, it has one flanking wing completed, but not the other.
It’s a beautiful, understated school, unlike some of the flamboyant designs of Milligan.
And like other schools in the district, it had a public library…
…and separate entrances for an auditorium, making these buildings for the entire community. It sits on the west side of Franz Park.
Its appearance has changed little over the years, for the better.
John J. Roe School, 1921 Prather Ave. 1925-45, Missouri History Museum, P0900-S02-00288
