A Regal Sentinel: Raleigh’s Thompson School
On the eastern fringe of downtown Raleigh an imposing Jacobean manor stands sentinel over the surrounding neighborhood. I am referring, of course, to the former Thompson School on East Hargett St. Although the school itself closed with the merger of the city and county public school systems in 1976, the building still bears a prominence in the community today as Wake County’s family services Thompson Center.
In 1907 the Raleigh school board opened the Thompson School in the antebellum mansion then standing on the site. That building itself had long served as Miss Sophia Partridge’s “Select School for Young Ladies†from the mid-1840s through the end of the Civil War.
Two other residences in the neighborhood also served as private schools during the ante bellum years. One of these was located in the Jordan Womble house, which still stands nearby.
Miss Partridge was a prominent Raleigh citizen of the period. Following the war she was instrumental in the establishment of the Confederate Cemetery in Oakwood.
She continued to reside in her Hargett St. home for many years after she closed her school. (A portion of the mansion grounds’s cut granite block retaining wall demarcating the edge of the property can still be seen today.)
In 1923 the Raleigh school board hired Atlanta architect C. Gadsen Sayre to design four modern school buildings. These were Wiley Elementary School on Saint Mary’s St., Washington High School for African-Americans on the southern extension of Fayetteville St., Hugh Morson High School near Moore Square, and Thompson Elementary School on Hargett St.
All four buildings were designed in the then popular Jacobean style. Wiley and Washington still function as public schools; Thompson is now the county’s Thompson Center, which offers services to socially disadvantaged clients. Hugh Morson, by far the largest of the four, was demolished in 1966 and replaced by the Federal Building.
After many years of benign neglect, the county rehabilitated Thompson in 1986 for use as the community services center. The surrounding neighborhood is now part of the city’s Downtown East redevelopment plan and is currently in the early stages of a residential resurgence and renewal. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/wake/story/562298.html
Although only a fragment of the original ante bellum Hargett St. neighborhood exists today, Thompson School still regally reigns over the its neighbors.
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09/18/2011
I attended Thompson Elementary in 1942. I was awarded a certificate as the student that read more school library books than any other student for that year. I wish I could remember the names of some of my class mates, but too much time has passed.
My step-father and I lived on Person Street at the Salvation Army residence, since he was with the Salvation Army and I remember a little
“snack shop” on the next street North of the school that was a popular lunch place for us, if your packed lunch was not edible and you had 15 cents to blow. The packed lunch was usually eaten on the way home that day and by that time you gotten hungry enough and then it became edible. If anyone attended school at Thompson during those days I was “Hubert” Thompson in those days, my middle name, sad to say,but thanks to the USAF I became William, my first name and your middle name is only an intial, thank goodness. Anyway, after all these years I would happy to hear from anyone that knew me.
Since I discovered you great site I have been a constat reader and thank you for the great service to Raleigh and your readers.
02/17/2012
I went to Thompson school from 1955 to 1959.
In 1959 my family moved to North Raleigh where I attended Millbrook school until i graduated . I am looking for former class mates who attended Thompson.
02/17/2012
My former class mates knew me by my nick name of Jackie.
03/07/2012
My fathers name is Wert Butler i am wondering if the is any relatio.
Madeline.merritt@cox.net
03/07/2012
Hi everyone ! I attended Thompson from 1955 to Spring 1959.
Needless to say,I do not remember my class mates names:only about 5 people come to my mind. Thompson had a nice auditorium when I attended. I wonder if this was changed into the ballroom.
Any one remember George Gaddy who was the principal during my tenure.
He went to DC to run HUD, I think.
07/02/2012
Hello, the Thompson building will once again house a school. The Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy will be opening there some time in 2013. We are very interested in the history of the Thompson School. Any stories would greatly be appreciated. Also, did the Thompson School have a mascot?
07/05/2012
Sure is nice to know that my old school will live on.
I had the greatest memories going to Thompson. I remember watching movies in the auditorium at holidays and special events. I had to see the school nurse on a few occassions. the nurses station was the the end of the auditorium. I wonder how many of us boys remember sliding down those marble hallways on the ground floor. back in those days I was called by my nickname Jackie. I also remember eating a lot of breakfast and
having after school ice cream. When I went to Millbrook, I acquired a huge amount of friends that would give any thing you may have needed.
06/20/2013
Past students of Thompson School–would like to touch base with you. As part of the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy opening this upcoming school year, it would be great to see if any of you would be interested in participating in the grand opening.
06/21/2013
I would love to attend.
06/21/2013
If you are a past student, kindly contact Javier Martinez at the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy (919) 431-2244, and provide your contact information. We are excited to be in the planning stages of the celebration for the next generation of the school!
07/31/2013
The Rededication Ceremony for the AA Thompson Building to serve as the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy will be held on 8/16/13 at 11:00 a.m. Any past student of the Thompson School is encouraged to contact Javier Martinez (919) 431-2244. We would love to have you in attendance at the ceremony!
09/27/2013
Hi, i lived on New Bern Ave near the old Raleigh cementery and cut through the cementery every day andcame out at the playground ball field. I started in 1946 and only rememeber falling down the steps once and cut my hand carrying some small milk bottles back to my classroom. After a visit to the school nurse I had to call my uncle/aunt to come after me. I enjoyed playing ball very much on the school’s ball field, but had to start my trip home thru the cementery before dark.
09/28/2013
I walked from Morgan St. Extension (now known as Morson St) to Thompson School in 1957…had to go right by the cemetary but never had to go into it. Mr. Hamrick was our principal – my 1st grade teacher was Ms. Buffalo. Our biggest fear was the atomic bomb during the cold war…duck & cover was a regular monthly exercise. The playground yard was covered in coal dust since that’s what they heated the school with. My fondest memory was the smell of the yeast rolls wafting through the halls every day!
10/18/2013
I love reading all the comments from prior students! I am currently working on the historical preservation of the Thompson School. The Junior Tar Heel Historians class at the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy is also going to be working on this project. I would love to use some of the posted comments in our future “museum” and book. If anyone has pictures they could share in addition to your stories I would love to see them. Also, if there were yearly activities/traditions that the school participated in, I would love to hear about them too. You can contact me by email at deb@itoad.net. Thank you!
10/25/2013
A note about Miss Sophia Partridge whose ante-bellum home and academy later housed the Thompson School. Miss Partridge was a native of New York who moved South and became an ardent secessionist. The NC State Archives hold several of her letters which address her hatred of Lincoln. 1861 she made the company flag for Company I, (North Carolina Grays, aka the Cedar Fork Rifles, aka the Morrisville Grays)) Sixth Regiment North Carolina State Troops. The shattered silk and hand painted flag is now in the collection of the North Carolina Museum of History.
01/20/2015
1/20/14
For first time in my life, just did search for “Thompson Elementary School in Raleigh NC.” My heart almost turned over when I read reflections of Thompson. I attended first grade 1956-57 at Thompson w/Ms Buffalo as my teacher. (Think of her every time I see the word “buffalo”). Attended first half of second grade w/Mrs Cole as teacher. Lived on 615 New Bern Ave before moving to Swift Creek School district. I too remember the “duck and cover” exercises, smell of yeast rolls, coal dust. I was so short, someone had to help me with my lunch tray. Most of all, will never forget being first grader standing outside on playground for a fire drill and being told we must never talk during a fire drill because if there really was a fire and we were talking, we couldn’t hear someone holler for help!! I don’t remember the cemetery but do remember a little corner store on New Bern Ave and the day popsicles went up from 5 cents to 6 cents. I don’t remember names of any friends at Thompson, but will never forget my younger neighborhood friend, Howard Wood Jr, who died from the flu October 31, 1957. Have lived in northeastern NC for 50+ years now, but still wish I could see Thompson School and my New Bern Ave home one more time.
01/20/2015
Vicky,
Google the address and there will be a picture of it.
I drive past it almost every day.
01/21/2015
Vicky, please plan a trip to come visit Raleigh and come by the school…it is now the home to the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy, a wake county public school for Middle and High School boys. You would be more than welcome to come in and see how it has changed and see how it has remained the same. I absolutely love the woodwork in the auditorium area, which is now our cafeteria and library.
08/27/2015
Hello Thompson School Alumni. I lived on Edenton St.and attended Thompson School 1954-59. My first grade teacher was Mrs.Hart, second grade Mrs.Cole third grade Mrs York and 4th and 5th grade was Mrs.Dennison. I’m the oldest of the Wood kids. The neighborhood kids that all attended Thompson then were Donald and Earl Young, Helen Duncan, Kay Davis, Nancy Wood, Brenda Wood, Vicki Simpkins, Sue Wall, Jonniette Wall, Teresa Spears, Shirley Bunn, Claude Woodall, Ginny Young, Linda Trotter and Ricky Everett. These are the children that I remember.
My brother was Howatd Wood Jr. I rember so much of my childhood and time at Thompson….precious memories.
09/21/2017
I just ran across the post about Thompson Elem.School. I attended in 1953 and I remember Robert and Jackie Butler and they had an older brother. My first grade teacher was Miss Buffalo. I also remember Theresa Spears,Donald Young, Shirley Bunn
04/04/2018
I attended Thompson the 1954-55 school year. We lived on Haywood St. off of Hargett Street. Mrs. Buffalo was my 1st grade teacher. I remember the rhythm band and having to perform on stage in our little caps and capes. I received my polio vaccine there. It was the first year I think they gave it. I didn’t have the pleasure of eating at school, but walked home every lunch time and walked back. Recess was on a dirt yard. Our class had breakfast in our classroom one morning. We shook a jar of cream and made our own butter. Life was so innocent back then.
05/11/2018
C. Smith – yes, our recess was on a dirt yard…you forgot that pile of coal that was always stacked up on the dirt yard … and guess what…we didn’t die from it! LOL Miss Buffalo was my first grade teacher – Mr. Hammack was the principal when I was there.
02/24/2019
I grew up on East Jones Street, attended Thompson Elementary School 1965-71, and have fond memories of my school years at Thompson. I’m so glad to see the building still remaining and repurposed for the continued development of young persons. Interested to hear from any of my classmates from that time period. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Hickerson, 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Campbell, third grade Mrs. Butler, 4th grade Mrs. Flagg. At the moment I can’t recall 5th/6th grade teachers, sorry. Mrs. Eaton was the principal. While currently I live out of town I sometimes when in Raleigh drive by Thompson, the beautiful building looks the same as I remember.
01/30/2020
Hi All,
I don’t know if anyone still looks at this site, but if so, would anyone who attended Thompson Elementary in the 50’s and 60’s PLEASE
01/30/2020
Hi All,
I don’t know if anyone still looks at this site, but if so, would anyone who attended Thompson Elementary in the 50’s and 60’s PLEASE contact me? My students have been tasked with doing historical research on the Thompson building’s past, and on the effect integration had on students at that time, and ultimately, on SE Raleigh neighborhoods and businesses. Also, if you would be willing to do in person, or phone, interviews, we would very much appreciate it!
Jeannine Haigler
jhaigler@wcpss.net
01/17/2022
I attended Thompson in the 50s. Mr. Kahdy and Mr. Hammack were my principals. Mr. Hammack was the principal and he also taught class. I was sitting in his office answering the phone (he would have a student answer the phone when he taught class for 1/2 day) and I remember someone calling saying there is a bomb in the school auditorium and it will go off at 1 pm. It scared me to death. I ran down the hall to tell him what happened and I remember him running back to the office and his keys on his belt making a lot of noise. Funny what you remember.
I also remember Larry Watson’s mother giving the children books. They owned Watson Seafood and Poultry on Rock Quary Road. She did a lot for the school.
I remember Robert Butler and would like to reconnect if possible. Ricky Everett passed away several years ago.
After Thompson, I went to Morson then Enloe. I started a computer company called Alphanumeric Systems in the 70s and sold it in 2009. Retired and enjoying life. Remember those school years as it was yesterday.
Mr Kahdy is in a retirement home in Chapel Hill. He just turned 100. I think I was one of the few students that had him as their principal all the way through school. He is a wonderful man and such an influence on so many people.
03/01/2024
I lived at 524 New Bern Ave in 1946 when I started the first grade. I had Ms Buffaloe also ( I think). I remember our entire class marched up to the capital to see President Truman unveil the statue of the three NC presidents (1948) I think? I have some more good tales but I want to make sure the statue of limitations has run out! Just kidding.