Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
The condemned middle school building at Magee is scheduled for demolition in a few weeks. If you are like me, it’s about time. I’m sure the School Board has some good reason the destruction of this eye sore has taken so long. Personally, I wanted the new elementary built in that area but the “studies” said no. We’ve got a great new elementary of which everyone is proud.
I’m a person who likes history. I enjoy knowing things about our city and its people. When I learned the building was to be torn down, I called the county office with certain request. “Please save the large plaque located above the main entrance which has the pictures of Presidents Washington and Lincoln and save the Elevation plaque which is located on the left side of the front of the building.” (The elevation plaque is not visible from the road or sidewalk. You have to get up in the bushes to see the plaque. The plaque gives the elevation of the building at sea level and the coordinates).
I spoke with Jeffrey Walker who is in charge school-wise of the project. Jeffrey assured me every effort would be made to salvage the Washington/Lincoln plaque. He was unaware of the elevation plaque but would find it for safe keeping.
When we destroy old buildings, we loose history. We can salvage pieces of history if we are careful. I am all for progress and don’t have a problem with buildings being destroyed if we strive to preserve some of their character.
Here’s a little info about the old Magee Middle School. The information came from a blog called Preservation in Mississippi. (Click here)
“The Magee grammar school was completed as Public Works Administration project W1215. The project was approved August 19, 1937 and a $10,627 grant was awarded toward the total cost of $23,615. Designed by Mississippi’s Edgar Lucian Malvaney, construction began December 4, 1937 and was completed March 18, 1938.”
Demolition of the building may cause traffic problems, but we are experiencing history in the making. We can all tell our children we were “there” when the walls came tumbling down!
Feel free to share your stories from the “old elementary.” (sue@mageenews.com)
The picture above is the one I originally shared. This picture is not of the Magee Middle School but the building that was demolished several years ago.
I still think checking out the blog Preservation in Mississippi is a good idea!
