Township of North Salem Central High School, Purdys, NY
The Township of North Salem Central High School, on old Route 22, Purdys, North Salem Township, Westchester County, NY, was built in 1927-1928. It came to be commonly known as Purdys Central High School because of its location, and possibly due to the lack of a strong identifying name. The building served as both a junior and senior high school until the winter of 1962-1963 and as an elementary school until the early 1980s.
Architectural drawing of North Salem’s Central Rural School District #1 high school, created by Knapp & Morris Architects, 171 Madison Ave, NYC prior to its construction beginning 1927. “North Salem Central High School” became popularly called “Purdys Central High School” in later years. Original drawing owned by Cynthia Curtis of North Salem, NY. Digital image submitted by Cynthia in Nov. 2015.
The cornerstone was laid in 1927. Middle school and beginning high school students first occupied the building during the 1928-1929 school year. The first senior class graduated in June, 1930. While lower grades were always in this building, use as a high school ended in the winter of 1962-1963. The Class of 1962 was the last senior class to graduate Purdys Central High.
After 1962, classes completed their high school education in the new North Salem High School which replaced Purdys Central in the winter of 1962-1963. Consequently, members of North Salem graduating Classes of 1963-1968 divided their time between Purdys Central and the new North Salem High School. Some more than others: the North Salem Class of 1963 were at Purdys from 7th grade to halfway through their senior year, whereas the Class of 1968 spent about half a year at Purdys Central High.
Lower grades continued to occupy the building until it was sold in 1982 to become the Westchester Exceptional Children School which was still in operation as of this writing in 2014*.
This web site is dedicated to all the students, faculty, friends and residents of North Salem Township who walked the hallways of Purdys Central, sang its praises and who live in the memory of what possibly could have been the best period of our lives.
The menus & links above, below and elsewhere in this web site will take you to a host of web pages, containing memories both old and new (e.g. reunions) - many submitted by classmates and friends. In graduating class specific sections, you will find yearbooks and other class memorabilia, pictures, news articles, etc. Enjoy the nostalgia trip! Please send in your memories and don't forget to sign the guestbook!
* See the "Landmark" section of the "Of-Interest" menu item above for more on the sale of the school, and its recognition as a Town of North Salem historical landmark.
by Pier "Peter" V. Guidi, Class of '62, website author