Chariton's twin schools --- that really weren't

Most vintage postcards of Chariton, while hardly a dime a dozen, aren't especially rare either --- we have multiple copies of most views in the Lucas County Historical Society collection. But this is a rare one, in fact the only one I've seen.

It depicts what appears to be twin schools, although they weren't. Garfield was built in southeast Chariton during 1881 and Franklin, in northwest Chariton, during 1890. Known originally as East and West schools, the more formal names were added in 1892. Obviously, the school district was pleased with Garfield, so constructed Franklin in its image.

Garfield still is with us, although it looks much different. The current facade of the building, now privately owned, fronts an addition built in 1914 containing four classrooms on two floors above a basement. During 1940, much of what remained of the original building was demolished and a wing containing a gymnasium and additional classrooms built to the west. It's not clear if any of the fabric of the 1881 building survived.

Franklin looked much as it did when built until 1964 when it was closed and demolished upon completion of the new Columbus and Van Allen school buildings. Franklin Park, now containing the Chariton Dog Park, is located on its site.

The card itself was a gift during 2013 from the late Ivalee Coffey and if you look carefully at it you'll see that it was printed in France and ordered by the Chariton's Fluke store