Richards Gordon Office Building 1619 Dayton Ave

The Richards Gordon School, established in 1911 by the City of Saint Paul and overseen by the Saint Paul Board of Education, stands as a notable architectural gem within the city's landscape. Designed by local architect Raymond R. Gauger (1895-1977) and constructed by contractor Paul Steenberg (1885-1969), the school boasts a distinctive cream-colored brick exterior adorned with various ornamental features, reflecting the Beaux-Arts style prevalent during its era. Noteworthy for its innovative construction methods of reinforced concrete and brick cladding, the Richards Gordon School was among the city's earliest "fireproof" educational institutions. Over the years, it underwent expansions to accommodate a growing student population, including additions in 1917 and 1923, designed respectively by the City Architects' office and City Architect Frank X. Tewes (1885-1929). Renowned cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, famed for creating the "Peanuts" comic strip, attended Richards Gordon Elementary School, where he notably advanced through his studies. The school's initial design followed the conventional layout for an eight-classroom facility, featuring spacious "recitation rooms" capable of accommodating up to forty students each. In 1936, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded the construction of a limestone wall surrounding the school property, enhancing its architectural appeal and contributing to its enduring legacy. The school's namesake, Richards Gordon (1829-1911), was a prominent Saint Paul businessman and co-founder of Gordon & Ferguson, a renowned fur wholesale company. Charles W. Gordon succeeded his father as president of the company in 1911 and was actively involved in the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association as a trustee.