SILENT GROUNDS COLLECTIVE · NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL ARCHIVE

Edgar C. Stiles School

SGC-WH-STI-038 · Research edition September 12, 2026

561 Main Street is the address in the 2025 city notice; the 2019 city notice used 575 Main Street, and the 1940 directory used West Main Street without a number. Stiles is the verified spelling; Styles is retained only as an alias.

Collection cover: see credited item below

The story in pictures

Edgar C. Stiles School in the 1940 school directory

Edgar C. Stiles School in the 1940 school directory

1940

Printed page 67 continues the school directory and identifies Edgar C. Stiles School on West Main Street.

Image credit and source
1940 town map key, including Stiles School

1940 town map key, including Stiles School

1940

Original numbered landmark list; Stiles School is number 17. Read with the companion 1940 town map.

Image credit and source
Read the full history

Collection history

Edgar C. Stiles School bears the name of the superintendent who guided West Haven’s schools through decades of expansion. The 1940 town history says Stiles arrived from the Seymour schools in June 1898 and remained superintendent until his death in 1933. It dates the opening of his namesake school on West Main Street to September 1931. This is the strongest located statement of an opening month. The city’s later description of construction in 1930 can coexist with a 1931 opening; the dates refer to different events. [WH-STI-010] [WH-STI-011] [WH-STI-009]

The school was part of the building program that followed district consolidation. In 1926 the town’s separate school districts were brought together under the Board of Education, and the 1940 account describes new buildings and enlarged facilities in the succeeding years. The detail makes the building more than an architectural shell. It records how shared sound and communication were built into the daily operation of the school. [WH-STI-010] [WH-STI-011]

A two-part local history column adds context to the namesake. Stiles grew up in Hartford, graduated from Yale in 1886, and held principalships before coming to West Haven. The later installment describes his work with the Village Improvement Association, the establishment of a public library, and the New Haven Bird Club. It specifically notes that the school was built and dedicated while he was still alive and serving as superintendent. His death on August 29, 1933 therefore provides another reason to question the incidental 1935 date in a later survey of a different school. [WH-STI-005] [WH-STI-004] [WH-STI-012]

That recollection should be read as one pupil’s memory, not as a complete administrative record. A Stiles group photograph labeled 1958 survives in the Historical Society’s online gallery. Together the recollection and the photograph offer promising paths toward the ordinary experience of teachers and pupils, though the photograph still needs permission before it can be reproduced here. [WH-STI-004] [WH-STI-003]

City notices published in both 2019 and 2025 state that Stiles closed in 2004. Some newspaper reporting instead gives 2010; the city’s repeated date is used here with that discrepancy disclosed. The May 2025 city notice records a purchase-and-sale agreement to convert the former school at 561 Main Street into about thirty apartments. This establishes an agreement and an intended reuse, not completed construction or an occupied apartment building. The collection keeps the school’s educational life distinct from later proposals for its property. [WH-STI-009] [WH-STI-007] [WH-STI-008]

That feature belongs beside the building’s opening and the superintendent’s biography because it records how communication entered everyday education. A pupil’s later memory of double sessions supplies a different perspective on space and time. Neither account should stand for every pupil or every year. Later closure reports and an apartment-conversion agreement form a property chapter whose dates must remain separate from actual completed reuse. [WH-STI-010] [WH-STI-011] [WH-STI-009]

Key dates

  • 1898-06 — Edgar C. Stiles became superintendent of West Haven schools. WH-STI-011
  • 1930 — Building construction date reported by the city in 2025. WH-STI-009
  • 1931-09 — Edgar C. Stiles School opened. WH-STI-010
  • 1933-08-29 — Namesake Edgar C. Stiles died. WH-STI-005
  • 1958 — A class photograph and published classroom recollection document school life. WH-STI-003
  • 2004 — Closure year repeatedly stated by the city; some newspaper accounts conflict. WH-STI-009
  • 2025-05-28 — Mayor signed a purchase-and-sale agreement for an intended apartment conversion. WH-STI-009

A closer look at the surviving record

Listed among the town’s schools

The 1940 directory places Edgar C. Stiles School on West Main Street. Its opening is described on the preceding education page, reproduced in the Washington collection.

Read the image and source notes: WH-STI-001

School number 17 on the town map

The original map key identifies Stiles School as landmark 17. The companion map is preserved in the Washington collection so the numbering can be read in context.

Read the image and source notes: WH-STI-002

Search the collection

Includes source text where acquired. Source websites require an internet connection. OCR may contain errors; verify names and dates against the scan.

14 catalog entries

WH-STI-001 · Historical documents · 1940

Edgar C. Stiles School in the 1940 school directory

Printed page 67 continues the school directory and identifies Edgar C. Stiles School on West Main Street.

Public domain in the United States: repository states that copyright was not renewed, citing the Stanford renewal database. No separate copyright notice appears on the selected plate. Full printed page retained. Scan quality reflects the photocopied source; OCR may contain errors.

Edgar C. Stiles School in the 1940 school directory
Read searchable source text
History of West Haven, Connecticut (1940)
PDF page 187
Source: https://archive.org/download/historyofwesthav00unse/historyofwesthav00unse.pdf#page=187

EDUCATION 
Edgar C. Stiles School 
Forest Street School 
25 
First Avenue School 
840 
Thompson School 
165 
St. Lawrence School 
High School 
West Main Street 
Forest Street at Orange Avenue 
First Avenue at Dana Street 
Richards Street—east of Campbell Avenue 
Main Street at Union Avenue (Parochial) 
Main Street—east of Washington Avenue 
Parochial School Established 
Through the efforts of Father Jeremiah Curtin, a 12-room grade school, 
at Main Street near Union Avenue, was erected in 1917 by St. Eawrence’s 
Roman Catholic Parish. This building, an eight-grade school, has a seating 
capacity of 420 pupils. The Reverend Arthur C. Cavanaugh is now (1938) 
principal of the school. 
Private Schools 
The Seaside Male Seminary, a preparatory school, operated from 1859 to 
1878. It was organized by R. Quincy Brown and taken over, in 1866, by Luther 
H. Northrup. Under the latter’s guidance, many foreign pupils were enrolled 
from Cuba, Chile, Peru, and China, and the seminary established a reputation 
for the instruction of Orientals. 
Among the Chinese students prepared for Yale at this school was Tatotai Jeme 
Tienyow, later famous as the engineer of the Peking Hsiang Railroad, the 
first railroad to be built entirely by Chinese. Other Chinese graduates include Lo 
Kocksui, who became an engineer with the Ning Hsiang Railroad in Huan, and 
Owyong King, who, in 1903, was Chinese Vice-Consul in San Francisco. 
A rare catalog of the seminary states that “Students disciplined here are 
admirably qualified for Farm, Work Shop, Sales Room, Counting House, Ship¬ 
ping Office or the more classical institutions”. 
The seminary was disbanded in 1878 and the building was used as a board¬ 
ing house for summer visitors at the shore. It was torn down in 1923. 
The Commercial and Classical Boarding and Day School for boys, at 415 
Savin Avenue, was conducted by W. F. Thomas from about 1855 until the late 
1870’s, when the Thomas family moved from West Haven to Ohio. 
According to legend, Mr. Thomas always carried a carpet bag for his books, 
papers, and various articles, and was known as “Carpet Bag Thomas”. He was 
assisted by his wife in conducting the school. 
Among well-known West Haveners who attended the school were the late 
E. E. Bradley, Cyrus Tuttle, and Dennis A. Kimberly, who was burgess of the 
Borough of West Haven from 1888 to 1891. 
The Phelps Nursery School, in the Phelps Homestead at Campbell Avenue 
and Elm Street, has been conducted since 1934 by Miss Marjorie Phelps. Pupils 
ranging in age from two-and-one-half to four-and-one-half years, are taught in¬ 
structive games, co-operation, and work that prepares them for entrance to kin¬ 
dergarten. 'Fhe school is open from September to June. 
67 
Credit: Writers’ Program (U.S.), Connecticut, History of West Haven, Connecticut (Church Press, 1940); Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center / Internet Archive. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-001, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-002 · Maps & plans · 1940

1940 town map key, including Stiles School

Original numbered landmark list; Stiles School is number 17. Read with the companion 1940 town map.

Public domain in the United States: repository states that copyright was not renewed, citing the Stanford renewal database. No separate copyright notice appears on the selected plate. Full printed page retained. Scan quality reflects the photocopied source; OCR may contain errors.

1940 town map key, including Stiles School
Read searchable source text
History of West Haven, Connecticut (1940)
PDF page 243
Source: https://archive.org/download/historyofwesthav00unse/historyofwesthav00unse.pdf#page=243

1. Burwell Heights 
2. Lincoln School 
3. Adjutant Campbell Monument 
4. New Haven County Home 
5. Campbell Avenue School 
6. Union Congregational Church 
7. Forest School and Allingtown Branch Library 
8. Park Theatre 
9. Allingtown Fire Dept. 
10. Ailing House 
11. St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church 
12. First Averse School 
13. William Wirt Winchester Hospital 
14. North End Hose Company 
15. Richard Thomas House 
16. Nehemiah Smith House 
17. Stiles School 
18. Stevens House 
19. Humpreville—Clark—-Ward House 
20. Lutheran Church 
21. Methodist Episcopal Home for the Aged 
22. Johnson—Austin House 
23. Site of 1'irst Log House in West Haven 
24. Second Avenue Hook and Ladder Company 
25. Methodist Episcopal Church 
26. West Haven Public Library 
27. Rivoli I heatre 
28. U. S. Post Office 
29. First National Bank, West Haven Branch 
30. Baptist Church 
31. Center 1 lose Company 
32. 
a 3. 
34. 
35. 
36. 
37. 
38. 
39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
43. 
44. 
45. 
46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 
50. 
51. 
52. 
53. 
54. 
55. 
56. 
57. 
58. 
59 
Town Hall 
Mallory—Smith House 
Union School 
West Haven High School 
St. Lawrence’s Roman Catholic School 
St. Lawrence’s Roman Catholic Church 
Bayview Park 
Cameo Theatre 
World War Memorial 
First Congregational Church 
Christ Episcopal Church 
Washington School 
Noble School , 
St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church 
Salvation Army 
Savin Rock Hose Company 
Hill's Homestead 
Plaque Designating the Spot of Tryon s Landing 
Savin Rock 
Thompson School 
Capt.‘ John Ward House 
Abbott Park 
West Shore Fire Dept. 
Colonial Park School and Prospect Beach Libi.. ) 
(Branch of West Haven Library) 
Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church 
Samuel Clark House 
Menvin-Hubbard House 
Mill 
Credit: Writers’ Program (U.S.), Connecticut, History of West Haven, Connecticut (Church Press, 1940); Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center / Internet Archive. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-002, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-003 · Sources & research leads · 1958

Stiles School class photograph, 1958

Authentic group photograph labeled Stiles School, 1958 by the Historical Society.

No reuse license established. Direct image: https://whhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/imported_from_media_libray/Stiles_School_1958.jpg External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-003, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-004 · Sources & research leads · 2017-09-13

Classroom recollection and namesake biography, part I

Dan Shine recalls a 1958 first-grade afternoon session and traces Stiles’s early career.

Source link only; no reuse permission established. External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-004, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-005 · Sources & research leads · 2017-09-20

Namesake biography, part II

Local historical account of Stiles’s civic activity and the school’s dedication during his lifetime; includes a school image.

Source link only; no reuse permission established. External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-005, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-006 · Sources & research leads · 2018-11-28

City redevelopment solicitation

Original 2018–2019 municipal procurement record, with linked bid documents.

Public record access does not alone establish a photo license. Useful for building plans, parcel identity and condition history. External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-006, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-007 · Sources & research leads · 2019-05-29

2019 city notice and address variant

Earlier redevelopment proposal uses 575 Main Street and reports 2004 closure.

Historical proposal, not a completed sale or present building status. External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-007, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-008 · Sources & research leads · 2025-03-11

Closure-date conflict in newspaper reporting

March 2025 report describes a council member recalling a 2010 school-board closure vote; city notices repeatedly give 2004.

A February 2025 newspaper article separately describes 2004 closure and 2010 city acquisition. Retrieve school-board minutes before resolving these conflicting accounts. External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-008, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-009 · Sources & research leads · Undated

Coverage gaps

No cleared Stiles classroom photograph or building exterior was located; no original dedication program or school-board closure minute was retrieved.

Use September 1931 opening and city-reported 2004 closure with noted source conflicts. Do not call the proposed apartment conversion complete. External source reference; the complete source is not reproduced in this download.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-009, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-010 · Sources & research leads · Source consulted September 2026

Supporting source: archive.org

Supporting source for the collection history and chronology.

External source; consult the original publication for its full context.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-010, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-011 · Sources & research leads · Source consulted September 2026

Supporting source: archive.org

Supporting source for the collection history and chronology.

External source; consult the original publication for its full context.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-011, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

WH-STI-012 · Sources & research leads · Source consulted September 2026

Supporting source: npgallery.nps.gov

Supporting source for the collection history and chronology.

External source; consult the original publication for its full context.

Credit: Original publisher or holding institution, linked at source. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, WH-STI-012, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-08.

ED-L-STI-ADD001 · Photographs · 1941 according to file name; date not independently confirmed

Historic exterior of Edgar C. Stiles School

The former Stiles School's broad facade illustrates its role as a neighborhood landmark.

Available at the linked repository; image or full record is not included in this download. Article September 20, 2017. Do not use that as photograph date. Existing source expansion, distinct from the 1958 class portrait. Reuse: Link only; historical photographer and reproduction permission unverified.

Credit: West Haven Voice; Dan Shine history column. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, ED-L-STI-ADD001, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-12.

ED-L-STI-ADD002 · Photographs · Undated photograph; article March 13, 2024

Former Stiles School exterior during reuse debate

A later photograph records the school building while the city considered a new use.

Available at the linked repository; image or full record is not included in this download. Exact camera date not supplied; 2024 is publication date. Newly found article. Reuse: Link only; © Hearst, permission required.

Credit: New Haven Register; Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media. Cite SGC SGC-WH-STI-038, ED-L-STI-ADD002, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-12.