Kellom School, a two-story brick building with two wings, can be seen from across a grassy field in this 9 1/4" x 6 3/4" black and white photograph. The building has a cross-gabled roof and stands on a slightly raised plot of ground. A smaller flat-roofed building stands behind the school.
Omaha Public School Archive Collection / Educational Research Library
Local Accession/Call Number
Archive Files: Kellom School File
Historical Notes
This school building was constructed in 1892 at 23rd and Paul Streets. It was replaced by new building at the same location in 1952. The original building was designed by architects Bell & Bellinghof. Originally called the Paul Street School, it was decided that it should be named in honor of John H, Kellom, an early educator who helped organize the first schools in Omaha and was the school's first principal. In 1912, it was reported in a news article that Kellom boasted a unique program, an "ungraded or special promotion" room. Here students received "special attention in areas where special attention is needed". Student were placed back in regular classrooms when those needs had been meet. Many of the students were newly arrived in this country and were in this classroom to receive instruction in English as well as their academic subjects. The article mentions students from Poland and Russia.
