Oakdale Public School
Why it's listed
Built in 1894 on a terraced knoll above State Street in Oakdale Borough, the brick school rises two and a half stories over a raised basement, with a central tower, a datestone reading MDCCCICIV, and a projecting entrance pavilion. Contractor J. M. Andrews was awarded the job for $17,948 in September 1894 after fourteen bids, and J. E. Allison of Pittsburgh is named as architect. A rear block, probably added between about 1895 and 1905, closely matches the original in materials and detailing. The building served as the borough's only elementary school until it closed in 1972, and it hosted school board business, a Vacation Bible School and Polish language classes. It is significant for its educational role and as a restrained Romanesque/Classical Revival design, one of the few surviving schools of its period in the region. The building has been empty since 1972 and water damage has affected the interior, though many original features remain.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the school is the only remaining public or institutional building from Oakdale's boom years and the only school of its period surviving in the immediate region. It is presented as a handsome, if modest, example of transitional Romanesque/Classical Revival design reflecting regional school-building trends of the 1890s. Its role in local education and community life is also cited.
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 97000289, listed March 28, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 33 Hastings St., Oakdale |
|---|---|
| County | Allegheny County |
| Listed | March 28, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000289 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1894-1946 |
| Architect / builder | J. E. Allison (architect); J. M. Andrews (builder) |
| Architectural style | LATE VICTORIAN/Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since its school closing in 1972; windows boarded up and tower roof missing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.39874, -80.17929 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 97000289.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7073812
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.