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CLEAR Temp: 65 °F Wind: NW at 4 mph Tuesday, August 12, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2003 Crews demolish the old Central Point Elementary School on Wednesday. The new school, funded by $30 million in voter-approved bonds, will be complete in mid-August. The school�s historic brick building is being restored into office space. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Memories crumble at old school By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune As shards of old timber and glass were crushed beneath heavy machinery Wednesday, triple-digit temperatures did little to discourage the curiosity of passersby over demolition of the former Central Point Elementary School. The old white building, currently being replaced as part of a $30 million, voter-approved construction bond, sent its final classes of grade schoolers through its trademark concrete columns last May. The old columns were carefully removed for incorporation into design of the new school, being constructed across the way by Vitus Construction of Gold Hill. The buildings they once graced soon will remain only in the memories of former students and teachers. The school’s historic brick structure, built in 1908, is being remodeled for school district offices. The building being demolished was constructed decades later. Advertisement As crews slowly knocked down old walls and hauled away loads of rubble, a few remaining windows sported colorful children’s drawings, and some fliers that never made it home sat pinned under debris. Kids on bicycles stared as they rode by, neighbors glanced from their yards and drivers slowed down to take a look or stopped to ask for a small souvenir. Liberty Banry, a 22-year-old who attended the school from kindergarten through fifth grade, said it was sad to see an old building disappear. She added it is nice the school district is preserving the historic brick building. "I had second and third grade in that old white building," Banry said. "It will be kind of sad to see it go because it’s been there forever and everyone is so used to seeing it, but it’s good there’s finally going to be a new school." Even one contractor, Mike Anhorn of KOGAP Enterprises in Medford, felt this demolition was more than just a job. He and two members of his crew spent eighth years at the old place, he said, including seventh and eight grades when he was student body president. "We had a teacher come by and cry the first day we were tearing it down," said Anhorn. "Some lady this morning got out of her car and asked if she could take some old wood sign." In addition to his own memories of the school, Anhorn’s two children spent part of their early years there and his mother once worked as a teacher at the school. "That was something to be a teenager and have my mom teach at the school," he recalled with a laugh. Anhorn said the school likely held memories for many living in and around Central Point. "We’ve definitely had some people coming by to watch. It was a part of the community for a long time," he said. "Kind of gives you a different kind of feeling tearing a place like that down." The new Central Point Elementary School is expected to be complete in mid-August. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times