This imposing brick building once stood on what is now the site of Meadowbrook Apartments. Designed by architect Ehrick Rossiter, Center School was built in 1915 for students in Kindergarten through 8^th grade. At that time, Norfolk high school students attended Gilbert School in Winsted. The construction of Center School 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 the stone memorial fountain pictured in the foreground was dedicated to Shepard. By 1970 Center School had become too small, leading to the town’s purchase of the Recollect Augustinian Seminary, renamed Botelle School. Center School closed its doors and was demolished. The Shepard memorial still stands, just east of the Catholic Church.

—Ann Havemeyer

Photo courtesy of the Norfolk Historical Society.