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Wednesday, March 31, 1999
Bucks County Courier Times

Commission member Betty Luff holds an old aerial photo of the Richboro
School (background). Luff attended the school as a child.
Jay Crawford/Courier Times

NORTHAMPTON
Group wants to preserve 86-year-old school building

The commission says that rather than demolish the 86-year-old structure, it should be incorporated into plans to build a bank, pharmacy and day-care center at the site.

By James E. Stanton
Courier Times
jstanton@calkinsnewspapers.com

     The nine-member Northampton Township Historical Commission has written a letter to the township asking that
the oldest portion of Richboro Elementary School be preserved.

     The old stone structure dates to 1913. It, along with additions made in later years, faces demolition to make way for a bank, a pharmacy, and a day-care center.

     The boarded-up former school is on Second Street Pike, north of Almshouse Road, in Richboro.

     According to the commission's letter, the structure is historically unique.

     "It represents one of the few remaining examples of
turn- of-the-century school architecture and, not surprisingly, former graduates, and their families feel strong ties to the old building," said the letter signed by commission Chairman Matthew Haist.

     The commission suggested that the building be renovated and incorporated into development plans for the site. The
letter mentioned several other old buildings that had been rehabilitated for commercial and professional uses.

     Site Development Inc. of Mount Laurel, N.J., which has plans to develop the site, has applied for a demolition permit.

     Township manager Bruce Townsend said that, while the township intends to explore preservation of the building with the developer, it has no legal authority to block demolition.

     "It is private property," he said.

     Supervisors' Chairman Peter Palestina said that his board has directed the township "to do whatever it can do to
preserve it."

     Palestina said the supervisors also have no idea about the cost of incorporating the old school into the new development.

     The stone building has much sentimental value to commission member Betty Luff.

     "All my aunts and uncles went there," she said. "I went there, as did my four children and now, two grandchildren."

Click any link below to read Historical articles
from the Bucks County Courier Times

Home Sweet Home
Sunday, April 18, 1999

The Pleasant Plains Public School
Built in 1871

People Are Flocking to Northampton
Living with Past Choices
Monday, May 24, 1999

Cornerstone Reveals Old Memories
Friday, July 23, 1999

History Set In Stone
Sunday, September 12, 1999

Landmark Restaurant to Make a Move
Friday, August 10, 2001

A Tale of Two Buildings
Monday, September 3, 2001

A Lightning Move for the Spread Eagle
Thursday, December 6, 2001

Spread Eagle's Move Went Well
Wednesday, December 12, 2001

'Citizen of the Month' Knows Her Town's History
Monday, April 8, 2002

Supervisors Preserve Spread Eagle, School
Thursday, April 11, 2002