In September of 1939, this modern brick structure was built with an attached auditorium and gym. The building, which contained twenty classrooms and was built for $195,000, housed the first high school in Rodessa. Grades one through eleven were taught in the 33,437 square foot building. The beginning enrollment was about 800, causing the hurried construction of temporary buildings to house classrooms for the 250 students the structure could not hold. Gladys Pitts Hendrick was named principal of the school, which at that time was the largest in the parish. After World War II, enrollment in the schools of the area waned and necessitated a centralized facility. The last senior class to graduate from the school did so in 1955 and the school was formally closed in 1973.
Rodessa High School was one of several Northwest Louisiana high schools designed by architect Seymour Van Os (1893-1974). A native of New Orleans, Mr. Van Os was educated in New Orleans public schools and graduated from Tulane University in 1913 with a degree in architecture. He worked in various architects’ offices in New Orleans and came to Shreveport as a draftsman. In association with J. Y. Snyder, he opened an office in January of 1915, and continued the practice of architecture until April of 1917 when he entered the U.S. Army. His office was responsible for the design and construction of numerous schools in various parishes in Northwest Louisiana, as well as banks, libraries, commercial and industrial buildings and many buildings at Barksdale and England Air Force Bases.
He later accepted a reserve commission in the Corps of Engineers and was recalled to active duty as a major in December 1940, remaining on active duty for the duration of World War II. According to his son, Seymour Van Os, Jr., “He served overseas in the European Theater of Operations, then was ordered to serve overseas again to be on the American Engineering Staff of Admiral “Lord” Louis Mountbatten in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. As I recall, he had to do with some of the Military Engineering of the Ledo Road/and/or the noted Burma Road. I do recall (he) was awarded a Bronze Star Distinguished Award for excellence of his Military Engineering Planning.” He commanded an Engineers Construction group until his retirement in 1953.
Mr. Van Os formed a partnership with T. A. Flaxman from 1939 until his retirement in 1970. He was instrumental in gathering and organizing a group of local architects into the North Louisiana branch of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. From 1952 to 1964, he served as a member of the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners.
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Could the School be turned into a concert Venue? Kind of like a LA Hayride deal for Rodessa..
I went to school at Rodessa, LA from the 1st grade through the 8th grade. It was changed from a High School to an Elementary and Jr. High School when North Caddo (a consolidated high school for the numerous smaller communities surrounding it) in Vivian, LA. There were no ghosts and nothing the least bit scary about it. It was a wonderful and beautiful place to go, grow and learn. Some of the best days of my life were spent there. I cried when I saw the pictures and the rot and desecration for the once proud and beautiful building. The lab, the home economics kitchen, the beautiful woodwork in the library, the crumbling concrete and stones, the gym where I had played ball, and took physical education and cheered as a cheerleader. I can still visualize al of my teachers, classrooms and classmates and the lunch room. I remember the camaraderie of a small town that still holds a warm spot in my heart. I fear no ghosts at Rodessa’s old school for me I only feel the happiness and Love. If there should be a ghost lingering then I expect they are there to hang onto some of that Love and Happiness that I still harbor from my own years there. God bless this precious old friend; Rodessa High School!
Kathryn, I agree with you. This was a great school . THERE ARE NO GHOST !!!! I have been back there many times before the school was destroyed Walked thru both upper and lower floors. All I saw and felt was “LOVE” . I would venture to say that our classmates feel the same way. Classmates, please respond…. I love this school!!!! Jerry Farmer .
I was there 1957_61. I remember Mrs. Williams 1st grade. Mrs. Waddis, bus driver
My father, Walter D. Stille, was the principal here for a few years in the late 1940’s. He was so proud of this school and its students and community. It is unspeakably sad to see it fall to ruin.