Center Cass School District 66 - Center Cass School

Center Cass School

The original Center Cass School was a one room wooden structure located in what is now known as Brookeridge. The wooden school burned to the ground in 1913. A replacement school was built in the same place but was made with concrete for safety. It also was one room. In 1915, the entire student body and faculty numbered 16. Mrs. Elizabeth Ide was a teacher and later the principal at Center Cass School. Mrs. Ide brought eight gallons of water to school from her house each day because the school's water supply was contaminated. The schoolhouse was sometimes cold so the students would have to wear their coats and their snow shoes. The land, where the first school was, is currently where the CVS Pharmacy is located, (83rd street and Lemont Road).

In 1950, the last Center Cass School was built across the street on 83rd and Lemont, where the Walgreens store is now located. It was added onto in 1955, 1962 and 1968. Until they built Elizabeth Ide in 1970, all grades K-8 were at Center Cass School. Prior to that time in 1968 and 1969 some classes were held in a church on Cass Avenue as there was not enough room for everyone at the school.