A former school in Manitowoc has been added to the Wisconsin Historical Society’s State Register of Historic Places.
Luling School, later renamed McKinley School, was built in 1892 as a small ward school.
However, by 1907, the local population had increased to coincide with statewide compulsory attendance laws.
That move led the school to add grade schools, creating the need for two significant additions that followed the original design.
The first vocational school in the city was operated out of the building between 1913 and 1920, following state-mandated opportunities.
By 1938, an additional auditorium and gymnasium were constructed on the McKinly School building through the assistance of the Public Works Administration.
During the New Deal Era, physical education was integrated into the curriculum between World War I and World War II.
Schools in the district were eventually consolidated after World War II, and although the McKinley school was remodeled, it was ultimately closed in 1977 due to declining population.
The building is currently owned by The Neighborhood, the group that runs the Manitowoc Warming Shelter.
They are looking to convert the school into transitional apartments to help those struggling with homelessness.
