Sumner School
In 1935 the present two-story brick structure was erected at the rear of the old building and the old building razed. The new, elegant, art deco-styled building had 10 classrooms, industrial arts rooms, a kindergarten, clinic, teachers’ lounge, administrative offices, and an auditorium with a playroom beneath.
In 1954 Sumner School drew national attention in the Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka legal case. It was Linda Brown’s desire to attend Sumner School, in the neighborhood nearest her home. At that time Monroe Elementary School at 15th and Monroe was designated for use by black children. Linda Brown and her parents won the decision in the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. schools were forced to desegregate.
After decades of use, the building was closed as a school and the building was purchased by the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and used as a storage facility. Recently emptied, a new, unannounced use will be made of this beautiful building.
Information about Sumner School, above, was taken from this Washburn.edu.
