The Tapley School, at the corner of Bay and Sherman Streets in Springfield, around 1892. Image from Picturesque Hampden (1892).
The building in 2015:
This historic building is located within the McKnight neighborhood of Springfield, which covers the area to the east of the Armory and north of State Street. As the city’s population grew in the 1870s, this area was developed by brothers John and William McKnight, who built around 300 houses here, most of which are still standing today.
To serve the growing population here, this school opened in 1887 at the corner of Bay and Sherman Streets, right at the heart of the neighborhood. It was expanded around 1910 with a large wing to the south, which is not visible in the present view, and it remained in use as a school well into the 1970s. After it closed, it was vacant for over a decade, but it was sold converted into apartments in 1993. Aside from the 1910 addition, the exterior is largely the same as it was when the first photo was taken, and today it is one of the oldest school buildings still standing in the city.
I went to Tapley School from Kindergarten to 6 th grade in 1950. I can still remember my teachers names
Hello Carolyn! I went to Tapley School from 1959 to 1962. It was not a good experience for me but I looked up information about Tapley recently, as I was thinking about that time in my life. I don’t remember much, but would be interested in your stories of the time you were there if you would like to share.
Who were they? I was there too. I had a really ogre for 4th grade. Ms Chipman for K was great!
Ms Chipman
Ms smith
Ms McDonald
Hi Judy
I went to Tapley from 1952-1959
I only remember the best teacher in the school my Kindergarten teacher Ms Chipman My Mom died the summer before I started school and Ms Chipman walked pass my house on McKnight st and we would walk down to Bay Street to cross over to the school. Also Rebecca Johnson was the Principal by the time I went to Buckingham Jr high Oh and Mr O’Neal was my 6th grade teacher who taught our class the Poka.
I went to Tapley School also from kindergarten about 1956, or 57 to about 61
Fond memories, except the walking to and fro in the winter
I too went to Tapley Elementary school from 1962-1967-1968. Because busing to do their schools out of the HillMcknight Neighborhood, I was bused to Glenwood Elementary School there I completed the sixth grade.
Mr. logout was the principal. Ms. Freeman was the secretary.
Kindergarten teacher: Mrs. Harrell
First grade Teacher Mrs. Sally
Second Grade Mrs. Davis
Third grade Mrs. OMalley
Fourth grade Mrs. Garvey
Fifth grade Ms. McBride until she got married and Mrs. Salt took her place.
I am now sixty four years old. And yet still I can remember so vividly my years of attending there. My family and I lived around the corner from the school on Buckingham Street. Such fond memories indeed.
Correction Mr. Stanley Kogut was the principal. Then when I left to go to Pottenger guess who came too? Yes I was so out done lol. I had Mrs. Sally and Mrs. Davis, also Mr. Shea and I want to say Mrs. Garvey, was she one with the onion soup everyday? I also had Miss Dupante. Those were the days.
I went to Tapley from 1962 -1968, my teachers were
Kindergarten Mrs. Harrell
First grade Ms. Sally
Second grade Ms. Davis
Third grade Ms. O’Malley
Fourth grade Ms. Garvey
Fith grade Ms. McBride/ Ms. Salt
Then I was bused to Glenwood in 1967-1968 fir sixth grade.
Lauretta! I lived on Buckingham St around this time too! Big family of eight kids. Doup family. I seem to recall a playmate of that time with your name.
I went to tapley school from 1966 to 19 71 my father attended the school and I’m 19 40
I went to Tapley from 1962 -1968, my teachers were
Kindergarten Mrs. Harrell
First grade Ms. Sally
Second grade Ms. Davis
Third grade Ms. O’Malley
Fourth grade Ms. Garvey
Fith grade Ms. McBride/ Ms. Salt
Then I was bused to Glenwood in 1967-1968 fir sixth grade.
I was a student from 1952-55. Ms. Chipman was the best!
I remember 2nd grade teacher: Ms. Davis., my favorite.4th grade was Mr. Shea who married another teacher. Who was was the music teacher ? Mr. G?
I lived across the street on the Sherman St side of Tapley. I attended from 1950-1956. The only teacher I remember was Mrs. Sinclair in the 5th grade. She made me cry in front of the class while I was at the black board as my mind went totally blank so she was being verbally abusive.
Ok I went there in 1968-1972. I started there for 1st grade and I had Mrs. Sally. I had Mrs. Davis a black teacher for 4th grade, and Mr. Shea during 4th grade for a class maybe reading. Mrs. Dupante and Mrs. Garvey. I remember a lot of things from there but I do not remember my 2nd grade teacher . Mrs. Sally and Davis were my favorites.
That is how Mr. Shea was, he ended up at Liberty and my daughter had him too lol. He was much nicer by that time.
I lived on Sherman St too. I tell people I grew up on the street basketball was invented on. T for Thoughtfulness, A for Activity, P for our politeness and a L for loyalty, for loyalty; E for Education and a Y for Youthfulness, for Youthfulness all of this spells TAPLEY and you can bet that’s where we come from.
ps; I remember your name (Cardaropoli)
Ok I went there in 1968-1972. I started there for 1st grade and I had Mrs. Sally. I had Mrs. Davis a black teacher for 4th grade, and Mr. Shea during 4th grade for a class maybe reading. Mrs. Dupante and Mrs. Garvey. I remember a lot of things from there but I do not remember my 2nd grade teacher . Mrs. Sally and Davis were my favorites.