Gilbert in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Gilbert Elementary School

Heritage District

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 2, 2016

1. Gilbert Elementary School Marker

Inscription. This is the third elementary school in Gilbert and was built in 1913. The first two schools were part of the Mesa School District. Everett Wilbur, who later became Gilbert’s first mayor in 1920, donated the land where this school was built. The east wing of the school was built in 1913 and had four classrooms, two offices, a central assembly room and a large entryway into the building. The building had no inside plumbing, and there were two outside toilets. A well south of the building provided fresh water. A furnace in the basement provided heat in the winter. During this period about 85 pupils attended the school.

In 1916 a north wing was constructed. This wing consisted of two basement rooms and two classrooms just above ground level. A water fountain was installed for the teachers and students. In 1925 the south wing was built adding two additional classrooms. By 1931 the population of students had risen to 281.

This school closed in 1977. In 1982 the Gilbert Historical Society began leasing the building and opened it as a museum in May of that year. In 1985 the society purchased the building from the school district

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for $255,000 thanks to a donation by Otto and Edna Neely. It is the only building in Gilbert on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2012 by Gilbert Leadership Class XX 2012 - Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 33° 20.963′ N, 111° 47.399′ W. Marker is in Gilbert, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It can be reached from South Gilbert Road south of West Elliott Road, on the right when traveling south. The building is located at the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 South Gilbert Road, Gilbert AZ 85296, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert,

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

Gilbert Elementary School (Giilbert Historical Society Museum) and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 2, 2016

2. Gilbert Elementary School (Giilbert Historical Society Museum) and Marker

Marker is visible mounted on the wall between the right and center archways.

other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gilbert Town Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clement's Garage (approx. ¼ mile away); Creed Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dance Pavilion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pump House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bank of Gilbert (approx. 0.4 miles away); Liberty Market (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tone Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gilbert.

Interior Brick Construction image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 2, 2016

3. Interior Brick Construction

This exposed area shows the method of construction used throughout the entire building. The sash weight seen hanging was taken from one of the original windows.

Gilbert Elementary School image. Click for full size.

National Register of Historic Places

4. Gilbert Elementary School

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 767 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 12, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.