Thomas Alva Edison Elementary School Hammond, Indiana
		1936 - 1991

	These images are courtesy of Mary Zelencik, historian for Edison School in Hammond. The photographer is Terry Schreiber. Our thanks to both of them for sharing these historic photos. These images are not for reproduction, publication, or any other use without permission of this web site host.

The Stone Workers

The decorative terra cotta tiles at Edison School in Hammond, silently contributed to the learning culture for the students and teachers.
 

Skilled craftsmen made each of the tiles by hand as seen in the pictures below. Courtesy of the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL.

Workers at the American Terra Cotta company hand pack the clay into each and every mold to produce the terra cotta tiles
that will be installed on Edison School. It was hard, skilled work requiring patience and technique.

From drawing, idea, to final product.

See this Prairie School artwork (1912) by Louis Sullivan installed at National Farmer's Bank, Owatonna, Minnesota.

If the students at Edison School graduated with knowledge, prepared to face the world as productive citizens, it would have to be due, in part, to the fact that we attended a Prairie School with links to Louis Sullivan, George Grant Elmslie and others, a beautifully designed  school by people who believed in improving our society and students through the arts, athletics, and education.
It was a special place and a special moment in time.