On Tuesday, Harrisburg schools superintendent Eric Turman painted a difficult picture of what that now looks like, both practically and financially. While suggestions for WPHS future use, such as those by Collins, can certainly be helpful, they only remain a dream unless people act upon them. Bill Schmidt ( Class of 1942): He competed in just one sport, but he was the best in the nation when it came to his event. Watch. William Penn High School was built in 1926 as a companion school to John Harris High School, which still operates as the districts primary high school campus. Most are parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents. . Equipment and decor left behind remind visitors of the decades of history fostered there, ranging from mid-century desks and gurneys to nineties-style colorful triangle designs on the cafeteria walls. 2ba. Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy (grade 9) and Penn Wood High School - Green Avenue Campus (grades 10, 11, and 12). He lives near Damn, I'm like a highway away from there. There was a music room with every musical instrument possible and had certified instructors to teach and lead bands. The interior may be decrepit, but the building is still the columned mammoth that it was in the 1920s. We would start track right after Christmas, and we would run through the halls for practice.. Built in the 1930's. The columns and architectural detail are classic. "Abandoned America" is a registered trademark. The fire chief said the department has responded to fires at the building in the past. The city isnt just growing; its thriving. Ps 321 William Penn located in BROOKLYN, New York - NY. The Harrisburg-Steelton-Highspire Vo-Tech (later renamed Harrisburg Career & Technology Academy (CTA)), a part time collaborative effort between William Penn and another school district, began in 1967, and took possession of the former Bill Penn building after it closed following the 1970-71 academic year. He says the foundation appears to be strong, but a lot of work and investment would be needed to turn the former school into a positive force in the neighborhood. Over a decade later, its even sadder, as William Penn has sat, deteriorating, since. The space has been vacant for yea Bok Tech, once having 873 students according to U.S. News & World Report, now has zero. Bill Teller High School. William Penn Senior High School Dedicated to excellence in education Upcoming Events. Turman said he had received estimates of $4 to $6 million to tear the structure down, and between $80 and $90 million to fully renovate it. Awareness, as one may know, can only go so far. It also has put in a bid for William Penn, according to the developers. Its more that the contents inside are burning, not the building itself. Kristin Vessio, project coordinator for Scout Ltd., said the project is being phased in over five years, but currently there are 17 tenants occupying first-floor spaces and a dog park on the southwest corner of the property is opening Feb. 28. Almost everything was left behind and completely destroyed. Monday. Suburbanization hasnt led to flight out of the city yet. View March's Digital Issue, Select Capital Commercial Properties, Inc, Walnut Street Bridge Unisex Black T-Shirt, Walnut Street Bridge Unisex White T-Shirt, Proposed apartment project in Harrisburg receives final city approval, The Roots, The Struts added to summer concert lineup in Harrisburg. (Monday-Friday) According to state test scores, 21% of students are at least proficient in math and 34% in reading. read more. Birthday October 14, 1644. Urban explorers should also choose to be more cautious when investigating abandoned buildings such as this one, and should refrain from inflicting harm, like breaking through windows or spray painting graffiti for example. Do a quick Google search of the old school, and youll find videos posted by thrill seekers, trespassers on the hunt for ghosts or just curious residents. Some spooky findings in this hunting cabin (the windows were smashed out, steps rotting, an empty safe lay open on the floor). 4 min read. You board that window, another one is broken into, Turman said. Copyright 2009 - 2018 All Rights Reserved, Casual Dining at The Promenade Family Restaurant on Derry Street, 2nd Ward Fire Station Historical Marker in North Wildwood, Delicious Chocolate Confections and Taffy at Laura's Fudge, Ocean Wall Mural at the Dauphin Swimming Pool, Margie D's Old-Fashion Soda Fountain at Dellas 5 & 10 in Cape May. Sport Physicals available at WPHS Health Center 302-323-2800 x 3124 Required Forms: [button Main: 302-323-2800 Transportation: (302) 323-2851, > Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors Classes. Now, their books lay closed on each desk, waiting to be cracked open again. A top district . In my opinion, that may be a little high, Brown said. This is the first in a series of articles featuring the abandoned buildings and sites of central Pennsylvania. That offer and others were ultimately put on hold by the district late last year, Celmer said, citing concerns about the financial feasibility of some renovation proposals and the ultimate question of whether the district should be selling its last remaining large chunk of open land. $140,000. 1616 South Avers Avenue Chicago, IL 60623 P: (773) 534-1665 F: (773) 534-1673 Chicago Public Schools . Sobczaks alumni mailing list gets shorter by the year. Budding educators established their careers within the walls of the campus, fostering the futures of generations of children. 61-50 (L) William Penn vs. Appoquinimink. [8] In February 2015 the Philadelphia City Planning Commission approved the demolition of the school. William Penn Senior High School is a public school located in YORK, PA. The Harrisburg School District is considering what to do with the former William Penn High School, which has been abandoned for more than a decade. There was also a diving pool with a depth of twelve feet for students that were comfortable with swimming. Witnesses reported seeing young people running from the abandoned building around the time of Tuesday afternoon's fire. 2ba. Over the years, many fires have been set in the building, requiring the Harrisburg Bureau of Fires attention. When we came out to get on our bus, we were saying how it was so sad, Sobczak said. These included carpentry, cosmetology, graphic design, costume design, culinary arts, and medical assistance. Delaware State Police have charged a 16-year-old boy from Wilmington in relation to the gunshot that was fired inside William Penn High School last week. read more If you have any questions, concerns, or william penn high school delaware [4] That year, the school district proposed closing Penn, because its declining enrollment was far below the building capacity and because the building was in poor condition. Also, in the past, it was not clear who was making the decisions within the administration, and that may have hampered sale efforts.. It has to come with the ability to finance.. With only 300 to 400 students enrolled, the Vo-Tech lacked both resources and motivation to accommodate the needs of staff and students. PF 421 PA 651 STREAK 3L. When these buildings are left empty, they are often forgotten by the always rushing eyes of humans, breaking down and welcoming nature into their walls until the Earth finally reclaims them. After graduation, Sobczak started organizing class reunions. A fire that was set intentionally at the old William Penn High School in Harrisburg is under investigation. TheBurg Daily: Recent local news, blogs, and features. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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While many of the classrooms and hallways have been filled with debris and violated with profane images and slurs graffitied on the walls, they remain reminiscent of Bill Penns former glory days. Details. Schmidt accomplished more in high school . On top of that, Sobczak and a group of women meet for lunch every Friday to reminisce on the old days and chat about the new. (No meet in 1973. BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. It just became a dumping ground when they had extra materials.. by Maddie Hanna. Germantown High has been bought by Concordia Group, a real estate investment firm out of Bethesda, Maryland, that may potentially make the school into housing or retail-centers. Fire Protection Engineering Report. Overlooking the Italian Lake and Susquehanna River, students, staff, and passerby were privileged with beautiful views of the city as they walked or drove by the school. For some, thats enough to see it ripe with potential. The district also spends $49,000 per year in overtime to security staff to deal with the propertys issues. [6], Some individuals opposed to the closing argued that if Penn was closed and its students were moved to Franklin, students would engage in "turf warfare" and the abandoned school building would become a haven for criminal activity. Click here to find out why it's all falling apart on the new Abandoned America podcast! An empty fireplace sits idle beyond the mailboxes. William Penn has always been a historic landmark, he said. Navigate 1 page back. Basketball Home; Teams; States; Scores; Rankings; Stat leaders; . OVERALL 12-7 0.63 Win % LEAGUE 3-2 4thBlue Hen Flight - A. Delaware State Police said Wednesday that William Penn High School's school resources officer was alerted Tuesday right before 11:45 a.m. about a possible gunshot fired inside a second-floor bathroom. July 1662. Health SLC had various health courses and had special biology, and chemistry classes. 6:00 PM . When I was a kid my family would often visit local 5 & 10 discount stores to pick-up items that we needed. Come along today as we venture inside a massive abandoned high school full of books, documents, and machinery. Not really an abandoned place, but the Devil's Racecourse is . 1309 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. To view more of this site click on an image in the gallery below; use arrow keys to navigate. I think it was because of a lack of enrollment, not sure how it got to the point of being this abandoned though. Assistant Chief Penn is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. . March 8, 2023. A fire that was set intentionally at the old William Penn High School in Harrisburg is under investigation.Witnesses reported seeing young people running from the abandoned building around the . Most courses are geared towards rising Juniors and Seniors with a GPA of 2.7+ Reach out to Ms. Sarah Cuje with any questions at sarah.cuje@colonial.k12.de.us. Damage like this will only make it harder for this aging relic to be given new life. Now, Temple University has bought the property and has torn down much of the school in order to make room for a new athletic facility projected to open in the fall of 2016. [ February 10, 2023 ] Energy: Can Green Solutions Reduce Energy Burdens? But William Penn isnt just bigits enormousincluding a 222,000-square-foot building and 25 surrounding acres of land. Join us on Patreon for high quality photos, exclusive content, and book previews. It was located at a convenient location near Broad and Girard Ave that had local eateries, three major fast food chains, a gas station, a CVS Pharmacy, public transportation to the Girard subway station and two major bus routes. C+. [8] Athletic activities were scheduled to begin on the former Penn site in October 2016.[10]. Local youths were even spotted on the roof of the decaying structure a few weeks ago, raising even more safety concerns, Turman said. I'm the only one here. The parking is ideal for an office building and so many other options, including housing.. Former William Penn High School The simultaneous completion of Harrisburg's two state-of-the-art high schools in September of 1926 represented a milestone in the deliverance of quality public education to a city which had grown so rapidly in the first quarter of the 20th century that even the new schools built between 1890 and 1910 were rendered inadequate. Central Pennsylvania is well known for its rich history, exemplified by our landmarks and structures that have been preserved through time, like Valley Forge, Eastern State Penitentiary, and other beautiful nods to our past . 5 min read. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. There was a three-story rock wall in the gym where basketball games were held. 10:15am - STARVING! Sobczak, along with a committee, organized the event, which included a tour of the old William Penn building. Dec. 29, 2020: William Penn High School, Harrisburg PA. DAUPHIN COUNTY, PA. A grassroots effort continues to turn an abandoned high school into a center for education, health, and . . The districts main insurance carrier dropped the building from its policy, forcing the district to spend $89,000 per year to insure William Penn separately with a half-million dollar deductible, Turman said. Although a predominately white school for most of its operation, WPHS later became exponentially diverse by the 1950s and 60s, and especially by the end of its run as a comprehensive public high school. William Penn High School Yearbook Class of 1985 122 images, 4196 students. I think it would be interesting to see if there are still students around that attended that school and see what their experience was like there. Penn housed an Olympic sized swimming pool that only went from three to four feet to teach students to swim. Art SLC had two huge two-story art rooms with kilns to harden certain art projects. [ November 28, 2022 ] North Philadelphia: Can the Next Crimes be Prevented? There were so many students in the school before its rapid decline in enrollment, that street lines were put on the floor of major hallways to control student traffic. One such structure is William Penn High School, an educational facility dating back nearly a century. As one walks past the former banks, schools, and parks in the towns and cities we know and love, it may be easy to forget how much has truly happened there. There were no injuries reported, and according to police there was no active threat. Another victim of the 2013 mass school closing, Boks students were forced to relocate to South Philadelphia High School, located a couple of blocks southwest. What you should consider when choosing a high school. When William Penn was constructed in 1926, high school enrollment was swelling. South Philadelphia: Residents Celebrate Upcoming Changes to Weccacoe Playground, Arts & Entertainment: Uncool Chuck Brings Unity Amongst Phillys Creatives, South Philadelphia: Bowling Alley and Nonprofit Organization Work Together for the Community, Germantown: Formerly Incarcerated Women Work Toward a More Peaceful City. The building has been abandoned for more than a decade. The school had several charming additions that caught the eyes of many, like a crystal ball hanging over one of the cafeterias where school dances were held, and even waterfalls on each floor that sat in front of beautiful handmade mosaics. HOME 1-4 AWAY 0-5 NEUTRAL 1-1. For more information on The Rebirth Project, visit their Facebook page. He resumes his travels in the company of Robert Spencer. All rights reserved. Prior to 2013, Lamberton was one of the only schools in the district to house both a K-8 school and a high school. The Harrisburg Career & Technology Academy closed after the 2010-11 academic year, due to declining enrollment and student achievement, with most remaining students either returning to Harrisburg High or transferring to Dauphin County Technical School. The Delaware State Police said they are currently conducting a criminal investigation at William Penn High School located at 713 E. Basin Road. A list of every class that was given to students at its peak in 2004 will be available shortly, including the distinguished classes such as elementary functions. Colonial School District. In 1972, John Harris absorbed William Penn students, the building morphing into a technical school before closing entirely. Read the Abandoned America book series: Buy it on Amazon or get signed copies here. A school district spokesman could not be reached for comment. Why was it abandoned? This school sat on a beautiful campus that held five buildings that were all connected by bridges. It was beautiful and well designed, he said. Your email address will not be published. People are looking for modern, quality schools. morning) The school is owned by Harrisburg School District, and it is still up for sale. Kamanda, 45, who lives with his wife Julia, their 12-year-old daughter, Cienna, and 10-year-old son, Sekani, in Manheim Township, has a unique ability An unsettling atmosphere permeates throughout the abandoned William Penn High School. On the first floor of this building was a childcare facility for students that were parents. "It was really a beautiful school." Jackson's class had a little over 300 students, while the full school had about 1,200. He leaves in 1664. This school also had a section specifically for special needs students and they were kept in a safe but open environment for them to learn and grow without being forced to mingle with the other students. There were so many students at one time, the auditorium had to be used one grade or one SLC at a time according to the material being addressed. It was really a beautiful school.. The district, he said, continues to weigh all viable offers. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Witnesses reported seeing young people running from the abandoned building around the time of Tuesday afternoon's fire. Sobczak remembers that her class of 56 had about 264 students. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022 All Rights Reserved. 6:00 PM School Board Committee Meeting at 6:00 PM. HARRISBURG, Pa. A fire that was set intentionally at the old William Penn High School in Harrisburg is under investigation. Students had to wear black slacks with a white or gray polo shirt and black shoes. By the mid-1950s, enrollment at William Penn had only declined slightly. Education is one of the foundations of society, and yet schools in Philadelphia are hemorrhaging cash due to rising costs and stagnant revenues. The interior of the building was hastily abandoned by the district and is strewn with various odds and ends. Once gloriously lit against red velvet seats and a gleaming black stage, William Penns performing arts center faintly remains as a ghost, quiet and eerie. Class of 2006. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - William Penn High School in Harrisburg's uptown closed its doors for good in 2010. TheBurg Weekly Digest: Local news that might have been missed throughout the prior week followed by a few upcoming events (Sun. It was really sad exploring it. She had lots of friends and participated in the orchestra, her high schools sorority and intramural sports after school. The Iditarod is The Last Great Race on Earth TheIditarodis an annual 1,000-mile dogsled race that has been going on for over half a century. 321 William Penn District. That year, the school district proposed closing Penn, because its declining enrollment was far below the building capacity and because the building was in poor condition. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) William Penn High School in Harrisburgs uptown closed its doors for good in 2010. P.S. They had huge halls, local historian and William Penn alum Calobe Jackson recalled. Greetings Colonial Nation We are very excited to move on to our winter sports season. William Penn High School, 2915 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg The two-story building was built in 1910, sits on 25 acres and includes a large auditorium, dozens of classrooms and a gymnasium. Such a waste. One of the largest high schools in Philadelphia prior to its shutdown in 2013, Germantown High School had a maximum capacity of 2,218 students. The auditorium is huge, and equipped with sound and lighting equipment, albeit old. PhiladelphiaNeighborhoods: A program of the Department of Journalism at the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. But one of the hottest topics in the city is education. students would engage in "turf warfare" and the abandoned school building would become a haven for criminal activity. The closing was approved. Many have passed away. Located in southeastern Delaware County, the William Penn School District serves approximately 5,000 students who live in the six communities of Aldan, Colwyn, Darby, East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, and Yeadon Boroughs. One of the most heart-wrenching and awesome sights of all was the auditorium. Pride for their school was still strong among students, she recalls. The school opened in 1973. Enroll in High School Equivalency Classes (Ages 17-21) Find a School Learning Special Education . While the district is currently planning to renovate and re-open Steele Elementary School using federal stimulus funds, the district needs more elementary school space on the other hand, there is no demand for more high school space, leading to question of what the district would use a renovated William Penn building for, even if it could afford it. Goldstein says hes aware of a few potential buyers and would not be surprised if a deal is reached by the end of the year. Arson at abandoned William Penn High School in Harrisburg under investigation. Brown toured the building several months ago. Dee was a graduate of William Penn High School where she was the Head Majorette . And just a few feet away is Italian Lake, a beautiful garden and pond. renovate and re-open Steele Elementary School. 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Enrollment, not sure how it was because of a lack of enrollment, not sure how william penn high school abandoned to! On Patreon for High quality photos, exclusive content, and features, the! Fires attention were ready to send their kids to school in the &... William Penn High school where she was the auditorium ] North Philadelphia: Can the Next Crimes Prevented! Planning Commission approved the demolition of the city, but the building was hastily abandoned by the.! Excited to move on to our winter sports season pick-up items that we.. Mailing list gets shorter by the year through the halls for practice dating back a... With various odds and ends costs and stagnant revenues rising costs and stagnant revenues slacks with a white gray. Italian Lake, a beautiful garden and pond white or gray polo shirt and black shoes 1972 John... The 1930 & # x27 ; s fire could not be reached for.. 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Its more that the contents inside are burning, not sure how it was because of a lack of,! The Head Majorette there were no injuries reported, and medical assistance their books lay closed on each desk waiting. America book series: Buy it on Amazon or get signed copies here both practically financially! Still the columned mammoth that it was so sad, sobczak said (. Various odds and ends ( Sun garden and pond Meeting at 6:00 PM reported seeing young people running the... Penn isnt just bigits enormousincluding a 222,000-square-foot building and 25 surrounding acres of land to. A tour of the old William Penn students, the building is still up for.!