 | | Ye old Sheridan Elementary School, circa 1891. |
The original Sheridan Elementary building was constructed in 1891 for 160 students. There were 4 classrooms in the structure, and the 3.6 acre plot of land the school sat on plus the construction cost the city of St. Paul $1,651.00 in 1891 dollars.
In 1957, the first school building was demolished and replaced with the current school. The new building cost $459,944.48 and contained 14 classrooms. In 1996, St. Paul Public Schools built an addition onto Sheridan Elementary, added wiring for a school computer network, four more classrooms, a computer lab, and a new gym/cafeteria to the structure. Today, about 350 students attend Sheridan Elementary.
A picture of General Philip H. Sheridan of the U.S. Army hangs in the hallway of Sheridan Elementary, but according to St. Paul Public School  | | Richard B. Sheridan |
records, the school was actually named for Irish playwright, orator and statesman Richard B. Sheridan, (1751-1816).
Richard Sheridan was born in Dublin, and wrote several popular plays as a young man. He was a scholar, and studied math and physics in his spare time. He was considered one of the greatest speakers of his era, and in 1780, was elected to Parliament. He used his place in government to denounce Napoleon's attacks on France's neighbors. In 1807, he lost a reelection bid and returned home. He had a son and two daughters, and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Linley Sheridan, was an author as well.
Historical information and photo courtasy St. Paul Public Schools Plant Planning & Maintenance Records and www.theatrehistory.com.
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