DVHAB in the Neighborhood: Nekrasova Street – Home to Round Houses and a Brutal Murder (PHOTOS)

Nekrasova Street is one of the most inconspicuous in the city center. It’s unclear exactly when it appeared (likely after the construction of the railway station in 1897), but it was once much longer, stretching almost to Energomash. Records from 1935 show complaints from factory workers living in a barracks at Nekrasovskaya, 55. This house was roughly located near what is now the interchange by «NK-City.» We won’t recount the memories—just the usual hardships: cold, dirt, poor roads, etc.

We might never have learned anything about this street’s history if, in the mid-1930s, railway workers hadn’t planned to build what we’d now call an educational campus at its intersection with Serysheva.

Houses in the private sector were purchased for construction, with mandatory photographic documentation. Thanks to this, we can now see what Nekrasova looked like 90 years ago. Old photos suggest the residents were not wealthy.

School No. 15, built in 1936

The grand project began with the construction of a large secondary school in block No. 142 between Nekrasovskaya and Stantsionnaya.

The school (now No. 15) was built relatively quickly, in less than a year. However, the construction was marred by scandals involving resident relocations.

«Representatives from the city education department regularly visited the school construction site managed by the Far Eastern Railway. Pointing at the huts still standing on the site, they would ask in disbelief: ‘Why haven’t these been demolished yet?’ Back in February, when the school site was finalized, eight buildings were marked for demolition. Since then, construction materials have been dumped in yards, gardens, and even inside the houses. Residents threaten to ‘hold accountable’ the innocent workers and drivers, while time keeps passing,» wrote the local press in spring 1936.

School No. 15, view from Yashina

Interestingly, under the rules at the time, residents of the private sector were offered either compensation or assistance in relocating their homes to another site. The latter method was quite popular, with houses from Nekrasovskaya being dismantled and moved to various parts of the city—from Bolshaya to Daldyzel—where they were reassembled.

The railway school was completed in September 1936, without much fanfare, delayed and criticized.

School No. 15

«The Far Eastern Railway Construction Trust (headed by Comrade Biron) took on the school project reluctantly and treated it as a burdensome task. The builders aimed only to hastily erect the building and shove students inside, with little concern for quality. As a result, classes in the new school didn’t start until September 8 instead of the 1st, and even then, the building wasn’t fully finished—the plumbing had to be redone,» reported the local press in October 1936.

The conditions in which children studied back then would shock modern health inspectors.

«Neither the plumbing, sewage, nor heating worked in the school. Window panes fell out, the roof leaked. The building was damp and cold. There weren’t even coat racks, forcing children to undress in classrooms. The desks and cabinets were so hideous they were painful to look at,» a journalist described the school’s daily life in October 1936.

Putz’s house on Nekrasovskaya. Before construction was completed, it housed the railway institute’s administration.

Adding to the atmosphere, the school’s left wing, closer to Stantsionnaya Street, faced a cemetery. Students recalled that the lavish tombstones in the cemetery’s quiet were perfect for exam preparation.

But that’s not all. Nekrasovskaya Street

Nekrasova Street

Nekrasova Street is a notable thoroughfare in several Russian cities, most famously in St. Petersburg, named after the 19th-century Russian poet Nikolai Nekrasov. Historically, it has been associated with literary and cultural significance, reflecting the city’s rich artistic heritage. Today, it features a mix of historic architecture, cultural institutions, and modern amenities, making it a vibrant part of urban life.

Energomash

«Energomash» (officially known as **NPO Energomash**) is a leading Russian aerospace company specializing in the development and production of rocket engines. Founded in 1946, it played a crucial role in the Soviet space program, producing engines for iconic rockets like the R-7 (which launched Sputnik and Gagarin) and later for modern vehicles such as the Proton and Soyuz. Today, Energomash remains a key player in global space propulsion, supplying engines for both Russian and international missions.

NK-City

NK-City is not a widely recognized historical or cultural site, and there is limited publicly available information about it. If you are referring to a specific location or cultural landmark, please provide additional details so I can offer a more accurate summary. Alternatively, if you meant a fictional or lesser-known place, let me know so I can assist further!

Serysheva

Serysheva is a small town in the Amur Oblast of Russia, founded in 1907 as a settlement during the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. It was named after General Sergei Seryshev, a military engineer involved in the railway’s development. Today, it serves primarily as a railway junction and agricultural center, with little remaining historical significance beyond its transportation role.

School No. 15

«School No. 15» is a historic educational institution, often found in many cities across former Soviet Union countries, typically established during the mid-20th century to serve growing urban populations. These schools were part of a standardized Soviet education system, emphasizing science, mathematics, and communist ideology. Today, many continue to operate, often modernized, while retaining architectural or cultural significance in their communities.

Stantsionnaya

«Stantsionnaya» (Станционная) is a small rural locality in Russia, often associated with railway stations or settlements that developed around them. Its name derives from the Russian word «станция» (stantsiya), meaning «station,» suggesting its origins as a stop along a railway line. While specific historical details may be limited, such places typically emerged during the expansion of Russia’s railway network in the late 19th or early 20th century, serving as hubs for transport and local commerce.

Yashina

Yashina is a small village in the Perm Krai region of Russia, known for its historical wooden architecture and traditional way of life. One of its notable landmarks is the **Yashkin House**, a well-preserved 19th-century wooden merchant’s home that reflects the rural craftsmanship of the time. The village offers a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the Ural region, with some buildings dating back to the pre-revolutionary era.

Putz’s house

Putz’s House, also known as *Casa Putz*, is a historic building located in Merano, Italy, dating back to the 15th century. It is a fine example of late Gothic architecture, featuring ornate frescoes and a distinctive bay window. Once a noble residence, it now serves as a cultural landmark, reflecting Merano’s medieval heritage.