FERN HILL I/PARK HILL
Minnetonka Blvd. and Ottawa

The first Fern Hill School was built in 1905 at Minnetonka Blvd. between Natchez and Ottawa Avenues. (In 1893 the land had belonged to J.W. Hayes.)  The school was a square, red brick building with one classroom that was heated by a stove. Bertha Bates taught at this early school, which held five grades in one room.  The back of the (undated)  photograph at right refers to it as the Theodore Roosevelt Building and Lake Street School.

 

In 1922, the school was enlarged to eight rooms.  A memorable Principal was Orlando Ruben Paske, who only had one arm.

Undated photo courtesy school district

In 1950, a new building was built elsewhere, and with the assumption that the old building would be abandoned, the new school was given the name Fern Hill. But demand for schools forced the Village to recommission the older building and it was renamed Park Hill. Students who attended Park Hill were puzzled when they could still see the Fern Hill name in shadows on the building. In the mid-'50s, the building was used for grades 1-3 only, with the older students going to the new Fern Hill. In 1959 it had the last coal stoker heating system in the school system, maintained by Janitor Edward Jenneke, who had been there since 1937. (picture August 20, 1959 Dispatch)

In 1967, Park Hill was discontinued as a school, having served 62 years.

In 1968, apartments were built at the site of the original Fern Hill School


2007
 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.