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In 1910, Duke School was housed in a three-room frame building which was in very poor condition. With the advent of the railroad Duke began to grow, and the need for a bigger school became apparent. No erection date has been located for this school pictured above, but it was eventually hit by lightening, damaging the foundation. |
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Above-The
Duke School was rebuilt in 1921 only to be destroyed by fire in 1964. |
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Duke
was the first community in Oklahoma to have a completely underground
school. The new school became necessary after fire destroyed the
older structure in 1964. Some of the reasons for a subterranean
school are that it will serve as a Civil Defense fallout shelter and
will provide protection for the children and the community in case of
tornado. Other underground schools in the United States have proved
that construction costs and maintenance costs are less; there are no
dust or allergy problems; students are more attentive because there
are no outside noises, and the acoustics are perfect. The Duke
School has received nationwide publicity from the Oklahoma Civil Defense
Agency in State and Federal publications. This original structure
and equipment cost over $400,000. The school added a gymnasium
and office above-ground at a later date. Another addition - including
a science lab, computer lab, library, counselor's office, superintendent's
office, and restrooms - was erected above-ground in 1997. |
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