American Fork in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Harrington Elementary School
1993 National Register of Historic Places
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 2, 2018
1. Harrington Elementary School Marker
This school was among the first wave of public schools built in Utah as a result of an 1880 educational reform. Local legislator Leonard Harrington, for whom the school was named, was influential in changing the educational system in Utah by sponsoring a bill in the territorial legislature giving communities the right to support free public schools by taxation. Harrington School survives as the oldest and most significant example of educational architecture in American Fork and one of the few remaining buildings of its kind in Utah.
Built in 1903 with a matching 1934 addition to the north, this school is a fine example of the Victorian Romanesque Style which dominated educational architecture in Utah around the turn of the century. Characteristics of the style include round arched doorways, entryways and windows, rough-faced brick accents, and a rough stone foundation. Original interior features include wainscoting, stairways, blackboards, paneled doors and maple floors. The architect for the 1903 section was probably Richard C. Watkins, State Architect of Schools, who is credited with designing dozens of schools throughout Utah.
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Erected 1996 by American Fork Historic Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 40° 22.683′ N, 111° 47.867′ W. Marker is in American Fork, Utah, in Utah County. Marker is on Church Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51 Church Street, American Fork UT 84003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. American Fork City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Historic City Hall Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church of American Fork (about 400 feet away); Bank of American Fork (about 400 feet away); First Free Public School (about 600 feet away); Fort Wall at American Fork (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Flour Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in American Fork.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 2, 2018
2. Harrington Elementary School Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 2, 2018
3. Harrington Elementary School
Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 12, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.
