Fulton Elementary School
Why it's listed
Built in stages beginning in 1894, Fulton Elementary School is a two-story orange brick building on a raised terrace in Pittsburgh's Highland Park neighborhood. The original eight-room section stands at the center of the present structure. Charles M. Bartberger is believed to have designed the 1894 section and designed the 1900 addition, which added eight rooms to the west. In 1929 an east wing was added with an auditorium, gym and kindergarten, designed by Maximillan Nirdlinger, whose only known public school work this is. The east wing features a tympanum with the letter F, carved books and boats, and diaper brickwork. Interior features include marble wainscoting, terrazzo floors and a cast iron stair balustrade with Corinthian columns. The school is regarded as an excellent example of Pittsburgh schools that expanded in stages as population grew, with additions that respect the original design. It was named for George P. Fulton, a former principal of the Hiland Sub-district.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the school is an excellent example of the many Pittsburgh schools that grew in stages as local population increased. Its exterior and interior are described as well-unified despite three building campaigns, and the 1929 addition is said to be particularly sympathetic to the original design. The listing is tied to the areas of architecture and education.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002669, listed September 30, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Hampton and N. Saint Clair Sts., Pittsburgh |
|---|---|
| County | Allegheny County |
| Listed | September 30, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002669 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1881-1900; 1921-1940 |
| Architect / builder | Charles M. Bartberger (architect); M. Nirdlinger (architect of 1929 addition) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival; Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Good condition |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Highland Park Residential Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.47492, -79.92202 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002669.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5508425
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.