This first Ericsson School building, located at 335 5th Avenue, was opened in 1873 as the West End School, in an area that was rapidly filling up with immigrants from Sweden and other European origins. It was situated on six lots that had been purchased from John Deere for $3000. On July 20, 1886 the building was substantially damaged by fire. While it was being rebuilt, some students attended classes at the nearby Gustaf Adolphus Church, the predecessor to the Mission Covenant Church. In 1893, the school was renamed after Swedish-born inventor John Ericsson, who had passed away three years earlier. Among Ericsson’s many inventions was the modern ship propeller, which he incorporated into his design of the Union Army’s ironclad ship, the Monitor. In 1903 Ericsson school was enlarged.

A new Ericsson School building was completed in 1969 and the old building razed. The cornerstone (left) of the old building was encased in the side of the new one.

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