Author Topic: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)  (Read 93627 times)

Metro Jacksonville

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Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« on: May 12, 2013, 03:02:30 AM »
Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)



It has captured the imaginations of Jaxons for decades. In this essay, photographic artist David Gano captures incredible images of what's happening inside Annie Lytle Public School.  




Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-may-annie-lytle-public-school-public-school-4

dougskiles

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2013, 07:33:38 AM »
Great photos!

Without having to read through all of the past threads about this school building, can anyone (presumably Timkin) tell me what needs to be done just to make the building structurally safe and prevent it from further deterioration?

Jumpinjack

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2013, 08:09:50 AM »
No images of the incredible and persistent workers who are volunteering every weekend to clean and protect this building. They deserve more credit than those people who have vandalized this building for years.

Dog Walker

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2013, 08:20:46 AM »
Doug,  the school is basically still structurally sound.  It was built to "fireproof" standards of the day which means that it is solid masonry.  Even the interior partition walls are hollow clay tile covered with wire lath and plaster.  The ceilings are wire lath and plaster, the roofs are cement as are the floors and stairs.

The window frames and the roof over the auditorium were wood and between rot and fire, they are gone.

Aside from the fire and rot, the major cause of deterioration of the building is vandalism.  Generations of them have broken holes in walls and floors, started fires inside and covered every available surface with layers of graffiti.  It has proved impossible to keep the building secured against them.

Tim and his rotating crew of volunteers has cleared the grounds and building of invasive vegetation and have removed tons of debris from the interior (no exaggeration!).  Painting the interior will be the next step.  It is difficult for people to see the potential in the building through all of the damage, so Tim and crew are trying to make it as presentable as possible with volunteer resources.

Huck Finn and his fence are nothing compared to Tim!
When all else fails hug the dog.

dougskiles

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2013, 10:27:44 AM »
I need to come check it out.  Is it only open on Saturday mornings?

MEGATRON

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2013, 12:25:55 PM »
Doug,  the school is basically still structurally sound.  It was built to "fireproof" standards of the day which means that it is solid masonry.  Even the interior partition walls are hollow clay tile covered with wire lath and plaster.  The ceilings are wire lath and plaster, the roofs are cement as are the floors and stairs.

The window frames and the roof over the auditorium were wood and between rot and fire, they are gone.

Aside from the fire and rot, the major cause of deterioration of the building is vandalism.  Generations of them have broken holes in walls and floors, started fires inside and covered every available surface with layers of graffiti.  It has proved impossible to keep the building secured against them.

Tim and his rotating crew of volunteers has cleared the grounds and building of invasive vegetation and have removed tons of debris from the interior (no exaggeration!).  Painting the interior will be the next step.  It is difficult for people to see the potential in the building through all of the damage, so Tim and crew are trying to make it as presentable as possible with volunteer resources.

Huck Finn and his fence are nothing compared to Tim!
structurally sound except for the lack of roof
PEACE THROUGH TYRANNY

FSBA

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2013, 12:36:04 PM »
I remember sneaking in there one Saturday night when I was 16. Amazed the place is still standing.
I support meaningless jingoistic cliches

ben says

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2013, 01:04:10 PM »
I remember sneaking in there one Saturday night when I was 16. Amazed the place is still standing.

Same here. Used to sneak in. The story was "there are birds with their heads ripped off in there" or "there are dead homeless people"...we went in anyway. Creepy but harmless. Good times!
For luxury travel agency & concierge services, reach out at jax2bcn@gmail.com - my blog about life in Barcelona can be found at www.lifeinbarcelona.com (under construction!)

FSBA

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2013, 02:15:38 PM »
I remember after the last big fire people were saying that most of the original structure was destroyed. Is that accurate? Looking at some photos from 2009 I can see some obvious deterioration in the auditorium.
I support meaningless jingoistic cliches

PATSY/AUTUMN

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2013, 02:49:42 PM »
Dog Walker described things perfectly!  Yesterday we posted more NO TRESPASSING signs...As we were leaving and locking the gate, here came 2 visitors.  That was the 2nd of the day.  One of our younger members gave them our contact card with our information on it.  We are on Facebook at SAVE PUBLIC SCHOOL #4 / Annie Lytle.  It will also direct you to our web site. 
We do our work on Saturdays.  Some of us try to arrive at 9.  It takes me around 10.  We work for at least 2 hours.  Volunteers sign releases to exempt the owners from any liability.  Anyone interested is welcome.
As Dog Walker said we have removed tons of debris and have tons more to do.  But, we are definitely making great progress.  (Photos can be seen on our FB and web site)
Our leader is Tim/Timkin on MJ, TimmycanofJacksonville on FB.  He is awesome and determined.  All our volunteers are awesome.  Feel free to inquire here or any of the above mentioned. 
As always, thank you Metro Jax for use of your forum

Dog Walker

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2013, 05:33:21 PM »
I remember after the last big fire people were saying that most of the original structure was destroyed. Is that accurate? Looking at some photos from 2009 I can see some obvious deterioration in the auditorium.

2/3rds of the roof collapsed years ago from a neglected leak.  The portion over the stage was still standing until last year when some vandals torched that.  The fire was spectacular looking because it was up so high, but it did not damage the masonry.  There are still wooden frames in the windows at that end of the space that are rotted, but unburned.
When all else fails hug the dog.

brett2752

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2013, 05:40:11 PM »

Timkin

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #12 on: May 12, 2013, 06:09:03 PM »
I remember after the last big fire people were saying that most of the original structure was destroyed. Is that accurate? Looking at some photos from 2009 I can see some obvious deterioration in the auditorium.

Lets just say, do not believe everything you hear :)


The initial report as published in the TU stated , from JFRD that 90% of the structure was destroyed.. We are talking about a structure made of Poured Concrete , steel and minimum 18 inch thick brick walls...Destroyed from a fire , where arsonists , putting some type of fuel ( I presume) , and igniting the wooden rafters of the remaining 1/3 of the Auditorium roof which was still in place.  Some how, even though this was an isolated fire 35 feet in the air, which was extinguished fairly quickly , "the structure was 90% destroyed".

Well...   That was not even close to accurate.

For years , myself and volunteers have worked on the grounds of The Annie Lytle School.  and in that time the changes we have made to the grounds , and the interior of the building , speak for themselves.

I would like to thank the Photographer who did this piece for these great pictures. They just did myself and my crew a great favor, and that was to show , in pictures, where this building stood , condition-wise , shortly following the fire.  The debris shown in some of these pictures , is gone.

With regard to "Preserving the structure", we are also doing our level best , in that regard.

On the main building , even though the base roof is poured concrete, and intact, there is a build-up roof , made of wood . Most of it has a metal covering , and even though nearly a century old,  most of the metal covering is intact, preserving the build-up structure.

Above the FRONT of the School , sometime since an initial fire, set at the front entrance to the building,  a newer build-up roof was done, covered with rolled roofing.  Rolled roofing , not holding up as long as metal does, deteriorates.  We have repaired it as best we could without materials , but at some point will install a fresh rolled roofing to it.

The Auditorium , except for the portion over the stage, is completely void of a roof. Because it is also constructed of Poured concrete and brick, it remains intact.

We will, at some point, dismantle the remaining portion of the roof over the stage , as it is failing anyway.

For now, we continue every weekend to remove debris from the building.  A monumental task , would be an understatement.

To answer the question of the stability of this structure...In short.  It isn't in danger of collapse in any way, without some profound assistance. .. meaning demolition. 

The point of our effort has been and will always be, to help save this landmark from the fate so many buildings in Jacksonville have faced, because they are, supposedly,  "Structurally Unsound" or  "Non-adaptable to another use".  Both reasons would be about the farthest thing from the truth in this instance.

I would invite the photographer to tour the School again at some point.  I think they  ( and you) will be surprised at what a group of dedicated , hard-working people have accomplished.

I am certainly proud of my crew and our endeavor to save Public School Number Four.

« Last Edit: May 12, 2013, 06:18:29 PM by Timkin »

Jumpinjack

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2013, 07:25:06 PM »
If Annie Lytle School finds a new life and that beautiful building is saved, it will be totally due to you and your volunteers. Lots of people visit the building but only a rare few are able to see what lies behind that debris and bright vulgarisms. Preservation is a trick of the eye, to see from the current sad condition to the complete whole future and then make it happen.  Tim, I've said it for a long time, you deserve an award.

PATSY/AUTUMN

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Re: Annie Lytle Public School (Public School # 4)
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2013, 07:30:44 PM »
Tim certainly needs an award, but I bet he would say his best reward would be to see the building completely restored and busy with appreciative people. As he recently said to a visitor "they can put in a Walmart if they keep the building intact."