Old School (Kenyon)

The Old School was created in 1916 in the town of Kenyon, Minnesota, United States. Kenyon and the nearby town of Wanamingo joined school districts in 1990, creating Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. In 1997 the school was shut down due to asbestos and a new school was built.

Break-ins

Since the school has been closed down, it has suffered many broken windows and break-ins. Most of the break-ins consisted of teens just wanting to see the inside. However, one break-in was big enough to make headlines. During a regular walk through of the building, done by the Kenyon Police Department, two people were found inside the school. The police also found hundreds of pounds of cut copper piping. They were charged with a felony, second degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Bail was set at $25,000 and $10,000, respectively.[1] After the copper break-in, boards were placed on broken windows and fencing was installed around the building to prevent future break-ins.

When the school was first abandoned in 1997, it was still partly used by the local dance studio. The dance studio moved to the new school in 1998 and the old Kenyon school was no longer used. In 2000, the school was bought by a developer for one dollar from the school district. He promised to tear down the school and create a community flower garden. However, in 2011 he could no longer make the payments on the property taxes and the state took ownership of the school. The state then turned around and had Goodhue County become the caretaker.[2]

Demolition

In 2012 Kenyon and Goodhue County split the cost of tearing down the old school, paying $150,000 a piece.[3] In 2013 the city of Kenyon hired a company, called Blue Earth Environmental, to remove the asbestos and bring down the old school.[4] Demolition of the school in the summer of 2013. The land was sold to the church next to the old school and is now used as a parking lot.

Discovery of the time capsule

When demolishing the school construction workers found a time capsule that was put in the ground in 1915. They opened it at the local Rose Fest, a celebration of the city. Inside, they found pictures of the Kenyon football team, the first school board, and postcards of what Kenyon looked like at the time. Copies of the newspaper, the Kenyon Leader, were also found inside. The Kenyon Leader is still in business today. The capsule was opened 98 years and 2 months from the day it was sealed.[5]

References
  1. Washburn, Terri. "Two suspects arrested in old Kenyon High School copper theft". Kenyon Leader. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  2. "Officials look for new ways to use old buildings". Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  3. Boese, Brett. "Plan in place for old Kenyon school - finally". Post Bulletin. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  4. "The Kenyon Chronicle" (PDF). Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  5. Washburn, Terri. "Time capsule from 1915 opened in Kenyon during Rose Fest". The Kenyon Leader. Retrieved 23 October 2013.

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