Research by Wayne Taylor indicates that two elementary school buildings have stood on this location at the southwest corner of Fourth and Milford Streets.
The first was built in 1870 and appears to have been smaller than the second building and cost about $1500.00 plus an additional $223.00 for the lot. This first building was dismantled in 1889 due to rotting timbers.
The current or second building was erected in 1889. As originally configured the building had four classrooms on two floors in addition to a basement. There were two rooms on each side of a central stairway on each floor.
The February 20, 1890 edition of the Port Royal Times contained the following note: "The citizens of Port Royal
should feel proud of the new school house, as every stranger who comes to our town speaks in the highest terms of it. The election for the increase of indebtedness asked for by the School Board to pay for the new schoolhouse, was held on Tuesday, February 18, 1890."
Another note appeared in the Port Royal Times of August 21, 1912: "Concrete steps have been put down in front of the public school building on 4th St., in Port Royal. The school directors have also decided to put down a granolithic walk in front of the same building."
The building was used as the town's elementary school until a new building was constructed near the Fair Grounds on Eighth Street.
When the first two buildings were being used they served only students from the borough. However, when the new school was constructed at Eighth Street, students from the surrounding townships of Turbett and Spruce Hill were brought to Port Royal and their one room schools were closed.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/1/11 - Image Year: 2011
This picture shows the building after it had been abandoned as the office of the TIMES. Eventually, it was purchased by John Dorward, and there are plans to convert it into a large residence. (Photo submitted by Jonathan M. Wert, Jr.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/3/09 - Image Year: 1920
The school building while it was serving the students of the borough.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/1/13 - Image Year: 1930
PORT ROYAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING: The rear of the Port Royal Lutheran Church is visible to the left of the photo. (Since the steeple still exists on the church, the photo must have been taken before 1955).
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/19/09 - Image Year: 1987
The former Port Royal Elementary School, later the office of the Port Royal Times. Photo taken c. 1987 by George Pierson. (Photo submitted by Professor George N. Pierson.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/21/09 - Image Year: 1889
This map shows the 400 block of Milford (North) Street as it appeared in 1889. This building is identified as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/21/09 - Image Year: 1904
This map shows the 400 block of Milford (North) Street as it appeared in 1904. This building is identified as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/21/09 - Image Year: 1911
This map shows the 400 block of Milford (North) Street as it appeared in 1911. This building is identified as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/21/09 - Image Year: 1928
This map shows the 400 block of Milford (North) Street as it appeared in 1928. This building is identified as #1 on the map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/3/09 - Image Year: 2009
This is the current Tuscarora Valley Elementary School as it appeared in the Spring of 2009. This building has served as the Elementary School for Port Royal Borough, Turbett and Spruce Hill Townships since 1958 when it was completed.
It was scheduled to open when school began in the fall, however construction delays prevented this so it wasn't opened until a few months later. The delay resulted in the one room schools in Turbett and Spruce Hill remaining in use longer than planned.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/5/14 - Image Year: 2007
EIGHTH STREET: an aerial view of Eighth Street between Cross Street to the north end of the Juniata County Fair Grounds to the right as represented by Google Maps.
Contributed by garth on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1910
Port Royal Elementary School student body. (Unknown year) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1915
Port Royal Elementary School student body. Silas Rice Teacher (1915) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1918
Port Royal Elementary School student body. (1918) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1920
5th & 6th Grades: Row 1 (l-r): Thelma Dill, Violet Eby, Marian Goodman, Harriet Moyer, Margaret McLain, Alma Comp, Beulah Yohn; Row 2: Robert Crozier, Kennetrh Gilson, Robert Johnson, Helen Meloy, Mildred Bashore, Anna Laura Kepner, Thelma Parsons, Pearl Johnson, Dorothy Beale; Row 3: Thurman Walters, George Wagner, Brady Kepner, John Dean, Leland Smith, John Kepner, Grant Crozier; Row 4 Mildred Chamberlain, Sara Maffett, Lenore Beers, ??, Anna Dunn, Helen Johnson, Margaret McMangle, Ms R. Metz
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1922
Port Royal Elementary School student body. (Unknown year) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1923
Port Royal Elementary School student body. Blane Shover teacher. (About 1922) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1928
Port Royal Elementary School student body. (Unknown year) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/30/16 - Image Year: 1928
PR GEADES 1&2 ABT 1928: Row 1 (l-r) B. Wert, H. Deen, Jr., ???. G. Eby, M. McCackren, N. Walters, R. Hower, H. Towsey, J. Towsey, F. Kepner; Row 2 A. Couch, T. Bailor, Z. Gloss, B. Andrews, A. Maffett, ? Page, C. Ulsh, K, Robinson, B. Kauffman, D. Maffett, M. Weimer; Row 3 ???, J. Rowe, G. McConnell, B. Deen, K. Fronzi, M. Hostler, N. Clark, D. Gilson, S. Hostler; Row 4 Irma Shover (t), D. Shelly, J. Robinson, J. Gilson, S. Gilson, P. Taylor
Contributed by garthe on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1930
Port Royal Elementary School student body. (About 1930) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
Contributed by hbgb1925 on 10/27/10 - Image Year: 1937
PORT ROYAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RHYTHM BAND
Seated: Nancy Telfer, Shirley Crozier, Norma Walters
1st Row: Purcell Shelley, Donald Graham (Leader)
2nd Row: Mary Margaret Whitesel, "Sonny" McCahan, Gertrude Andrews, Betty Kepner, unknown, Dolores Benner, Dolly Hockenberry
3rd Row: Carol Meloy, Harvey(?) Blystone, JoAn Bashore, William Page, Patsy Emery, Sally Wagner, Shirley Kennedy
4th Row - Myrtle(?) Page, Stanley Hower, Mary Lou Aumiller
(Taken at the Shelley home about 1937)
Contributed by garth on 5/8/11 - Image Year: 1954
Port Royal Elementary School Grades 1 & 2. Teacher Irma Shover (1954) (Photo submitted by Garth Brackbill)
