Elders Ridge Academy

Reverend Alexander Donaldson, founder of Elders Ridge Academy

Elders Ridge 1839

Elders Ridge Academy as it appeared in an 1898 booklet.

1852 -1936

1852 -1936

Elders Ridge Academy 1852, burned in 1936. Replaced by Donaldson Building in 1954.

Donaldson Memorial Building built 1951-54

Elders Ridge Elementary (Donaldson Building)

From The Indiana Evening Gazette, Monday, March 5, 1951
Elders Ridge High School (Allshouse Building) 1933 replaced the Lab/Gym Building that burned in 1932. The Allshouse building burned in 1951. The fire apparently started in the vocational shop by the gym/auditorium. It burned for some time before being noticed and an alarm turned in. With the exception of the four rooms at the front of the building the two-story brick school was gutted by the fire. Huge I beams collapsed when the fire destroyed the roof. The intense heat caused the steels beams to buckle. Included in the destruction were 10 classrooms, the industrial arts room, the combined gym/auditorium and locker and shower rooms. A fire hall, between the western and east-southeastern section of the school was credited with saving the four rooms. The back wall of these rooms, however, were declared ‘not safe’ and will not be available for classroom use. At the time of the fire, there were 425 students enrolled from Young Township, Conemaugh Township, West Lebanon, Indiana County, and Kiskiminetas Township. The home of C.F. Shaulis, principal of the school, located next to the school, was damaged by the fire, but fireman were credited with saving the home. The entire side of the building was scorched by the fire.

From The Indiana Evening Gazette, Monday, March 5, 1951
Elders Ridge High School (Allshouse Building) 1933 replaced the Lab/Gym Building that burned in 1932. The Allshouse building burned in 1951. The fire apparently started in the vocational shop by the gym/auditorium. It burned for some time before being noticed and an alarm turned in. With the exception of the four rooms at the front of the building the two-story brick school was gutted by the fire. Huge I beams collapsed when the fire destroyed the roof. The intense heat caused the steels beams to buckle. Included in the destruction were 10 classrooms, the industrial arts room, the combined gym/auditorium and locker and shower rooms. A fire hall, between the western and east-southeastern section of the school was credited with saving the four rooms. The back wall of these rooms, however, were declared ‘not safe’ and will not be available for classroom use. At the time of the fire, there were 425 students enrolled from Young Township, Conemaugh Township, West Lebanon, Indiana County, and Kiskiminetas Township. The home of C.F. Shaulis, principal of the school, located next to the school, was damaged by the fire, but fireman were credited with saving the home. The entire side of the building was scorched by the fire.

ALMA MATER
Where the top of Elders Ridge
Meets the eastern sky,
Proudly stands our Alma Mater
On the hill top high.

Flag we love, blue & white
Floats for aye, E.R.H.S. for thee.
May the sons be true & loyal
To the memory.

The four photos above came from the Elrivo 1927-1928, published
by the Senior and Junior Classes of Elders’ Ridge Vocational School.

The four photos above came from the Elrivo 1927-1928, published
by the Senior and Junior Classes of Elders’ Ridge Vocational School.

A Brochure Published in 2003

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