Surrounded by fencing to protect the curious, Bonham and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Niles were victims of the wrecking ball last month in preparation for the construction of two new elementary buildings, which will be constructed simultaneously with a new high school.
Ground was broken at the high school site prior to the Niles Homecoming on Oct. 22. Groundbreakings also will be held at the elementary sites when those areas are prepared for construction.
A year ago more than 150 alumni, current and former teachers met at the school for one last look-through and to reminisce about the neighborhood school they had grown to love. A similar event was held in the spring at the Lincoln facility.
Both Bonham and Lincoln schools closed at the end of the last school year. Students began the 2010-2011 school year at Jackson Elementary on Emma Street, Washington Elementary on Hartzell and at the recently renovated North Rhodes School, formerly the Our Lady of Mount Carmel School.
Bonham Elementary was dedicated in 1957 and Lincoln Elementary was dedicated in 1956.
The new school buildings will change the face of the Niles School District, with the elimination of neighborhood schools and marking the first time in more than half a century district students in the same grade levels all will attend the same facility.