Fairmount Heights in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fairmount Heights Elementary School
737 61st Avenue
— Historic Site, Built 1912 —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2018
1. Fairmount Heights Elementary School Marker
The Fairmount Heights Elementary School is one of the largest buildings in the community. Before its construction, classes were held in nearby Charity Hall (715 61st Avenue). in early 1911, a group of residents approached the Prince George’s County Board of School Commissioners and requested that an elementary school be built. The Board agreed, and a building committee which included William Sidney Pittman was appointed. William S. Pittman a resident of Fairmount Heights was a noted African American architect who attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and received a degree in Architectural and Mechanical Drawing from Drexel Institute in 1900. Architect Pittman was chosen to submit a design for the school. The board ordered that the school be erected in accordance with Pittman’s plans and specifications. A few months later, the board purchased four unimproved lots at the corner of Chapel Avenue (now 61st Avenue) and Addison Road. The school was constructed and ready to open by June 1912. By 1915, enrollment had increased to 160 pupils. There were five teachers, four classrooms, and a carpenter shop. At that time, it was the only public school
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The school is a two story, hip roof frame structure. The pyramidal roof cupola, which originally housed the school bell, has been enclosed.
Sponsored by the Mayor and Town Council of Fairmount Heights, 2016
Erected by Town of Fairmount Heights, Maryland. (Marker Number 72-09-9.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education.
Location. 38° 53.965′ N, 76° 54.721′ W. Marker is in Fairmount Heights, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on 61st Avenue near Addison Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 737 61st Avenue, Capitol Heights MD 20743, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bungalow Row (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Masonic Lodge No. 92 / The Columbine Chapter No. 46 (about 400 feet away); The Original Municipal Center (about 400 feet away); Municipal Center Site (about 400 feet away); Charity Hall (about 500 feet away); Misery
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2018
2. Fairmount Heights Elementary School Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2018
3. Fairmount Heights Elementary School
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2018
4. Fairmount Heights Elementary School
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2018
5. Cupola
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 129 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 6, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
