Technical School

This impressive building was erected in 1865, in what was then the station yard, to serve as Halstead's Corn Exchange. The money for this was raised by subscriptions from local farming and business people. Unfortunately their expectations appear to have been too optimistic because the venture failed to attract support from local farmers and dealers and the building was very soon being used for a variety of other purposes. Clovers Mill opposite used it for a number of years to store their flour but its first worthwhile role was when the Essex County Council decided to adapt it for use as a Technical School. It was then that the porch and toilets alongside were added. The first pupils were admitted in 1907. Following the Education Act of 1944 other schools in the town undertook technical education so in 1970 the building became the Public Library. The porch and toilets were taken down and we now see how the Library looks today.