Lafayette Junior High School (former) – Los Angeles CA

Description

The former Lafayette Junior High School in Los Angeles, CA was rebuilt following the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. Construction between 1935 and 1937 totaled $210,898 and was partially funded by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) closed the school in 1955 due to declining student enrollment. The property is now used as a LAUSD maintenance plant.

In 1935, C. L. Peck Inc. reconstructed Lafayette Junior High’s single-story, 15-room shop building. That same year, a two-story administration building designed by architects John and Donald B. Parkinson was constructed by the Theodore A Beyer Corporation. According to the Los Angeles Historic Resources Inventory, “The classroom and arts [shop] buildings are designed in the PWA Moderne style and feature flat roofs, stucco wall cladding, fluted pilasters, and bands of windows. Alterations to these buildings include the replacement of some original doors and windows.” The administration building is located at the corner of Naomi Ave and E 14th St; the shop building is at the corner of Hooper Ave and E 12th St.

In 1936, the school’s two-story home economics building was rebuilt by Monolith Construction Company according to plans by architect Arlos B. Sedgley. “The Home Economics Building is designed in the Mediterranean Revival style and features a hipped roof, stucco wall cladding, arched entrances, and wood windows,” the LA Historic Resources Inventory state. “Its original entrance has been infilled, and small lean-to additions have been appended to its primary (west) facade.” This structure is located at the corner of Naomi Ave and E 12th St.

The reconstruction and renovation of Los Angeles schools damaged by the 1933 Long Beach earthquake was the single largest PWA funded program in the country, totaling ~$34.7 million (LA Times, May 23, 1937).  It was overseen by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and proceeded in two cycles, 1934-35 and 1935-37.

The first cycle began in Spring 1934, lasted 21 months, included over 130 schools, cost ~$10,000,000 (30% funded by PWA grants), and employed ~3,000 workers. The second cycle began in December 1935, lasted 17 months, included 518 additional projects, cost $22,532,727 (45% funded by PWA grants) and employed up to 6,500 workers. The rest of the funds were provided by the sale of LAUSD bonds passed in March 1931 and November 1935.

The school-rebuilding program was widely praised. As the Los Angeles Times declared, “…the Los Angeles coastal basin [will gain] a revamped, modernized and otherwise perfected system of public school structures worthy of consideration and emulation throughout the world” (LA Times, Apr 7, 1935).

Los Angeles area school renovations included “…auditoriums, classroom buildings, gymnasiums, cafeterias, bungalows and administration offices [as well as] landscaping, grading, retaining walls and fresh paint. Strengthening of all schools against earthquake damage is a major factor in the program, with trained inspectors watching every unit of construction” (LA Times, Aug 23, 1936).