Visions for Vacancies: Johnston School in Wilkinsburg Is for Sale

Johnston School in Wilkinsburg is on one of the prime corners in the borough, near the start of the Lincoln Highway (Route 30) and close to the Parkway East (I-376).

Wilkinsburg School District closed the building at the start of the 2012-13 school year. PRC Commercial Real Estate is handling the sale.

According to the book, "Wilkinsburg," part of Arcadia Publishing's "Images of America" series, all but the first floor of the first Johnston School at the site was destroyed by fire in 1920. The new Johnston School was built in 1922 and added two stories to the first floor.

The land on which the school is built belonged to Gen. John Johnston and was part of his farm. The land was donated to the school district by one of his grandsons, James L. Johnston, the book states.

Also of note, on the playground wall to the right side of the building is a plaque honoring Beth Lynn Barr, the Wilkinsburg school girl who was kidnapped on her way home from Johnston School in 1977.

So, what do you envision as this building's future? Should it be turned into a private or charter school? An office building? Apartments? Or do you see another use for this land? Tell us in the comments section.

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