An architectural marvel, The “Yellow Brick Building” was erected in 1908 on land near to an inn & tavern known to have been frequented by George Washington. The building, which today houses senior and disabled adults, was the home of Milford High School until the graduation of the Class of 1951, when the school moved to its brand new location next door, which now houses city offices (the Parsons Complex).

When the 21-room school building opened in 1908, it housed not only the high school, but also grades 1-8. All were formally located in Town Hall and served students in the center of town. High school classes were assigned to four rooms on the third floor. An assembly room was used for study periods. In June 1909, there was no high school graduation, as the former 3-year course of study was extended to 4 years and included college preparatory, scientific and commercial courses.

Gradually, larger elementary schools were built throughout town to replace the many one-room and other older elementary schools. After the new 24-classroom Central Grammar School was completed in 1919, the Yellow Building exclusively housed only high school grades. By mid-1930, it was evident enrollment would continue to escalate and that high school-age students would require larger quarters. However, World War II restrictions made it impossible to even consider construction of any new school buildings. During the height of the war, “Nazi plane spotters” were posted on the high school starting in 1943.

Eventually, Milford High School was forced to go on double-session. Upon conclusion of WWII hostilities, city fathers and the Board of Education collaborated to construct a new high school building, which opened in the Fall of 1951. Who then knew that just 32 years later in 1983, Milford High was closed, leaving the city with two high schools, Joseph Foran and Jonathan Law, respectively.

The Yellow Building was renamed during the 1950s as the “Diane Toulson Building” after a popular city state legislator. But it was still affectionately known as the “Old” Milford High School. The building served as a children’s library and part overflow home of Central Grammar School for a number of years. Board of Education offices were also located there until 1966 when they moved to the Eels Hill complex. In the 1970s, the Yellow Building was utilized as Milford High School classroom overflow space including double sessions due to an ever-increasing student population.

The building was left to rot due to a severely leaking roof for about a decade after the children’s library moved to its current location on New Haven Avenue, culminating in 1982 when the building was condemned by the fire marshal after city officials refused to fund a new roof. When Milford High School next door was closed in 1983, the Yellow Building’s fate was a much debated political football. Many considered it an eyesore without a practical use, while others appreciated its sturdy construction and historical significance despite holes in the roof, the considerable water damage and a roost of pigeons residing inside.

In 1984, the Milford Historical Society filed an application to have the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Yet in 1987, the Milford Chamber of Commerce and Milford Progress Inc., the latter formed by the chamber to foster economic development, urged city fathers to demolish the building to create more room for downtown and Parsons Complex parking. That same year, the Milford Board of Aldermen voted to raze the building, prompting building proponents to appeal the decision to state historical officials. The State Historical Commission effectively stalled the demolition just 48 hours prior to city opening demolition bids.

In June 1988, the Board of Aldermen then appointed a five-member Toulson Building Oversight Committee chaired by local attorney and MHS Class of 1968 graduate Chris Carveth. Other members were Arthur Stowe, Ray Oliver, Les Burgess (Class of ‘27) and Chris Carroll (Class of ‘74). In October 1988, the committee submitted its recommendation that “the building be renovated for use as senior housing” to be funded by a federal Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grant, with the help of Community Development, Inc., a not-for-profit agency specializing in such restorations.

On Nov. 11, 1988, the building’s fate came once again before the Board of Aldermen for a final decision. First, a motion to accept a development proposal from Brophy Ahern Development, supported by then Alderman James Amann, to purchase the site and develop it was voted down. A second motion by Alderman Lloyd Fleming to raze the building was also defeated by a 7-5 vote. A third motion by then Alderman and future Mayor James Richetelli for the city to keep the building and to renovate it - as recommended by the committee - was approved by the same 7-5 margin.

The five original members of the Oversight Committee chaired by Att. Carveth were then appointed to come up with a formal plan to restore the building. Less than a year later in 1989, Community Builders Inc. helped the committee secure a $3.1 million HUD financing package to convert the building to 39 apartments for senior and disabled adults. Groundbreaking for River Park Apartments was held later in 1989, and the building was opened to residents in 1993.

Still a formidable edifice, “The Yellow Brick Building” - aka Diane Toulson Building - aka the “Old” Milford High School - would now be known as the River Park Apartments and would now serve the community by providing homes for the elderly and disabled, even surviving a lightning strike and small roof fire. Set to celebrate its 30th anniversary as River Park Apartments when the next All-Class Reunion will be held in 2023, the three of the original five members of the committee are still on the board in 2021, with Att. Carveth recently re-elected as board chairman and joined by original members Stowe and Carroll. Other board members since 1993 include: Marion Ahrens (Class of ‘53), Barbara Bourdeau (Class of ‘55), Susan Quigley Johnson (Class of ‘74), Ronald Capozziello, Laurie Vigneault, Christopher Bishop and Joanne R. Barrett.

During the last two All-Class Reunions, the River Park board has opened the building to reunion attendees, and expects to do so again in 2023.