Emerson Elementary School

At the corner of Main and Emery Streets, Emerson School was initially constructed. It eventually changed its name to Emerson (elementary) School. It was said that Ralph Waldo Emerson's literary talent inspired the institution to bear his name. The school was utilized to house flood refugees in 1903, but it flooded and completely destroyed the first floor. Since then, the institution has undergone numerous additions. Sadly, a new Cumberland Farms took the place of the school in June 2013.

In 1887, Emerson was a makeshift structure situated close to mud roads, cornfields, and woodlands. Originally holding six rooms with sixty-four seats in each. It wasn't until 1890 that Emerson had four working teachers, who taught grades 1-10. The school was fully built and finished in 1903 but suffered many repairs causing it to be taken down later in 2013. Flood Regugess were being housed here in 1903, but flood damages were caused to the first flood causing many repairs to be needed. In 1908, six rooms were added to the school. The graveyard found next to the school was turned into a playground in 1910 with the bodies being moved to Oakland Cemetery. One of the final additions added to Emerson School was in 161 costing $430,000 dollars. This included eleven classrooms, a stage, an office, and lastly a library. Emerson Elementary was the first dedicated high school building in Sanford. Emerson School served 128 students in grades 1-3. The property was eventually sold to Cumberland Farms which was right across from the school, so they could build a bigger and better Cumberland Farms store.

“Sanford High School, Ca. 1904.” Maine Memory Network, www.mainememory.net/artifact/21341.

“School History - Emerson Elementary School.” Emerson.kckschools.org, emerson.kckschools.org/about/school-history.

“Emerson School, Demolished.” Foster’s Daily Democrat, www.fosters.com/story/news/2017/04/18/emerson-school-demolished/21354205007/. Accessed 9 June 2023.