'Your School' is alive and well
(Brad Scott told me, "The fun part about working in the old school is finding things that have nor been seen for years. Things like personal notes, programs, Indian head pennies, and places on the walls where kids have scratched their names." I have been asked to share some of these things with you, in your paper, on a weekly basis. I would also like to hear from any of you that attended the high school, junior high, or Ninth Grade Center, that have a story or special memory about your time in school. I especially would like to hear from anyone that taught at the school. If you have a story, please call me at 1-800-507-9426. Leave your name and number and I will return your call.)
Thousands have walked through the doors and glanced upward at the crest above their head. It read "Sandpoint High School" and marked the entrance to the building, on Euclid and Pine, that was to be their academic home during their high school days. From the first senior class that graduated in 1923, until the last class that graduated in 1954, the old building has done its duty for the people of Bonner County.
As the area became larger, the student population grew and overcrowding occurred in all of the schools, and the high school was no exception. A new high school was constructed but the building on Euclid held on and eventually came to be known as the Ninth Grade Center.
Finally, there was no need for the proud old building and the doors were closed and the windows were boarded. Many of the people who had walked through the doors of the school on Euclid now drove past and wondered what would become of "their high school" that was fast falling into disrepair.
The locked doors and boarded windows still contained their memories of dreams and special people. Rumor had it that the building had been condemned and was to be torn down.
January seems to be the lucky month for the old Sandpoint High School. It was in January 1920, that Whitehouse and Price of Spokane was hired to design the school.
It was in January 2000, that Brent Baker announced that the Idaho State Historical Society had listed the Sandpoint High School in the National Register of Historic Places. This past January saw great strides being made by Linda and Brad Scott to bring back the school that has meant so much to so many. The rumor that the building was soon to meet the wrecking ball is just that — a rumor that is totally false. Your school is just fine and will soon be able to welcome every "kid" that walked through her doors and glanced upward at the crest above their heads.
The next time you drive down Euclid, take a good look at your old Sandpoint High School/Ninth Grade Center. She looks a little prouder because she has been recognized as a historic place but she is absolutely radiant over the fact that she is getting a new lease on life and will soon hear again the sound of people walking up and down her halls.
(I made today's photo in one of the classrooms. The writer is unknown but the words express the sentiment of the people who were fortunate enough to attend school in the old high school building. The words on the chalkboard say, "This Building Rules! Long Live Life. Hi, I wish I went to school here. Let's keep this. Yes, I think so.")