Then & Now
A snapshot of Hyattsville's past and what it has become. Patch will run this feature each week.
Photos
Hyattsville Middle School, at Ogelthorpe Street with 42nd Ave. on the left, was once the site of Hyattsville High School.
Hyattsville High School first opened in the Masonic Lodge in 1914 with 110 students until this designated schoolhouse was completed the following year at Arundel (now Ogelthorpe Street) and Wine (now 42nd) Avenues.
Washington architects Upman and Adams and Bethesda contractor T. Calvin Owings constructed the school at a cost of $17,385. The building held four classrooms on each of its three floors, but did not include electric lights until 1917.
The building, with additions from 1925, was made the junior high in 1951 and razed for the current middle school in the 1970s.
Walter Darnall
6:54 am on Sunday, March 6, 2011
I attended this school in 1961-'63 when it was a Jr. High School. Both of my parents as well as almost all of my aunts and uncles on both sides of the family attended the school when it was a High School. But in those days High School only went to the 11th grade.
I remember seeing the date 1914 on the school's corner stone, located on the S. E. side of the original building. One of the school's additions (entire wing) comprised four floors. At the end of the '61-'62 school year the 4th floor was condemned and no further classes were held there. However, the school band equipment as well as other items were stored on the 4th floor. Me and some of my buddies would use our combs to trip the door locks and sneak up on the 4th floor on mornings before class started, and play around with the band instruments.
There was an enclosed breezway that connected the main school with the gymnasium. We referred to the breezeway as the "tunnel." Student lockers lined each side of the tunnel. One day some kid set a cherry bomb off in the tunnel.
I remember my first principal at Hyattsville Jr. High School was Mr. Miller. He was there when my parents and aunts and uncles were there. He retired in 1962 after 43 years in the teaching profession.
jordan gonzalesb
7:05 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
i go there now im in 7th grade and i know its haunted i need more info on the school
Joyce Nesbit
6:44 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
I lived on Oliver St and I went to Hyatts. Jr. High from 1959 to 1962. Many changes in the area.
Eddie Brown
8:40 am on Sunday, May 29, 2011
Many changes you are so right! Think I was there about 1954 to 1955 or 56. I lived on Oglethorpe St., just two blocks from the school. FUN STUFF