Lynn's first school house on Franklin St. was like most school houses built before the Victorian Era;  small wooden structures. In the 1600's towns had to build one school house for every 50 families.

 Ireson Street is now Joyce Street, most Lynners today would have no clue about there ever having been an Ireson Street.  The Ireson Street School was built in 1868 at  #15 Ireson St. but was immediately renamed the Whiting School, named for Samuel Whiting who was the first pastor of the First Church of Lynn in 1636. The school was abandoned and razed in 1940 and Ireson Street was renamed Joyce Street in 1945. How do you like them cookies?

Schools

Burrill School was first built on Tower Hill on Boston Street in 1849 and made of wood. It was named in 1869 for John Burrill who was the State Representative from Lynn and Speaker of the House. He lived from 1658 to 1721. The wooden school was replaced with a brick structure in 1893. In 1900 there were 300 students in this school. The school was eventually replaced by a nursing home and later, condominiums.

 

The Brickett School was built on the corner of Lewis Street and Autumn Street in 1911. The upper facade was recently removed for safety reasons.  The Brickett School is one of Lynn's finest elementary schools today.

The first Ingalls School was actually built of wood on Parrott Street in 1851 and burn burned down in 1859.  A second Ingalls school was built on Essex Streen in 1871, a three story brick building with 17 rooms. This building was a Grammar School from 1871 - 1917, a Junior High from 1918 - 1929 and then back to a Grammar School. The new building, a two story brick structure remains at 245 Essex Street today. (Urban renewal but at least they left the ornate fence.)

The Lewis School was built in 1898, three stories of brick and in 1909 had 355 students. The Lewis School was named after Miss Sarah F. Lewis, a principal of the Sanborn Grammar School for 25 years. Today it is a professional office building.