The Princeton Historical Society recently shared some interesting details about artist Fred Caldwell’s daughter, Illa, following the discovery of the 1905 wall murals at the historic Turner Hall, 429 West Water Street.
Researchers tracked down Fred’s great-granddaughter, who provided photos and more information about Illa, who was about seven when she and her father traveled by houseboat from Princeton to St. Louis. They also found a newspaper clip of an article written in 1912 by Illa about the journey. (She did not mention her father’s arrest.)
The society also shared the photo Caldwell took when school officials placed the cornerstone for the new school on the downtown triangle on May 31, 1894. The ceremony was held following the Decoration Day program at Turner Hall. (A poor reproduction of the photo was included in the booklet published in 1973 as part of the city’s 125th anniversary celebration.)
Here’s how the Princeton Historical Society described the photo it shared online: “Fred Caldwell took this photograph of the placement of the Princeton High School building’s cornerstone in 1894. On the left hand side, he has signed it, ‘Caldwell the Artist.’ A crowd of Princeton residents gathered to watch the ceremony. The original Princeton High School was built out of stone and was located where the empty triangle parking lot is today on West Water Street. It became unsafe and had to be demolished.”
Unfortunately, there is a critical error in the description. The school on the triangle was built of brick not stone. Yes, it had a stone foundation, as shown in the cornerstone photo, and stone archway over the main doors, but the structure, as well as the 1908 addition, was brick.
The society’s historian repeats the mistake in describing another photo that shows Turner Hall and the school: “Behind Turner Hall, to the left, is the old stone High School building – there is just an empty parking lot there now.”
The writer also guesses the school-Turner Hall photo was taken about 1915, but it was taken about 1906, before the addition was built to the west side of the brick school in 1908.
Princeton residents of my generation and earlier know the school on the triangle was a brick building. I wish I could say I was surprised by the error, but I’m not. I sure hope they don’t put it on a plaque.
We should also note for the sake of accuracy that the district did not have a high school in the Princeton Public School on the triangle until 1901.
The brick school replaced the stone school erected on Main Street in 1867. The stone school is used by the city for storage in 2025. The brick school on the triangle opened in January 1895 and closed at the end of the 1959-60 school year. It was demolished. The “new school” on Highway 23-73 opened in September 1960 and, with additions, continues to serve Princeton students today.
Please let me know if you spot any errors.
Thank you for reading and caring about local history.
To Roger Bartel: To me you are the creator of a role: “The Deep Historian” . A man who does not only offer opinions. You do the Work. Yes it is “ journalism”……and ….Do I sense the presence of yet a “Deeper Historian “? I am looking forward to whatever work your intention guides you to do. Thank you . Dick Yahr.