Archives Closed Schools Q-S: Smyser Avenue School

Other Name: Benjamin Franklin Elementary

Last Address: Smyser and Prospect Avenues

Year Opened: 1892

Year Closed: 1911

Smyser Avenue School was renamed Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in 1911.  A letter from the principal at the time, Margaret Sweeney, asked if the school could be named for a "dead sinner," (inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin) since they couldn't name it for "live saints."  The street named Smyser Avenue, in Clifton, was also renamed at a later date.  Franklin Elementary's address changed first to State and Prospect and later to 1800 Arlington Avenue.