sentences:  The East Ward School, built between 1861 and 1866, was designed by architect John M. Van Osdel, who also designed the Palmer House in Chicago, as well as the Governor's Mansion in Springfield.John Houston of Griggsville built the school for the contract price of $35,000, which was financed by bonding.The building is stone (boated from Joliet on the Illinois river) and brick burned in Pittsfield.