An aerial photograph of Norfolk provides a glimpse of the town blanketed by snow on a
winter’s day. At left, the Catholic Church designed by Alfredo Taylor still has its tower
with open belfry. Next door children play in the yard behind the Center School, set well
back from the road. This imposing brick structure had been built in 1915 with plans
provided by the architect Ehrick Rossiter. Its construction was made possible through
generous donations from a group of Norfolk benefactors, foremost among them Frederick
Shepard after whom Shepard Road is named. In 1917 a memorial fountain placed near
the entrance to the school was dedicated to Shepard. Soon after this photograph was
taken, Center School would close its doors with the opening of Botelle Elementary
School in 1970 and was later torn down, making way for the building of Meadowbrook
Apartments.

Ann Havemeyer