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Old Century High School To Be Demolished Due To Tornado Damage
April 4, 2016
The former Century High School and the football stadium on Hecker Road will be demolished due to tornado damage.
During the EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, the main potion of the old high school was heavily damaged, with windows broken and window frames pushed inward. The football stadium, including the press box, was also structurally damaged.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the district’s self insurance would likely pay for the demolition; however, the school district is negotiating with their insurance company on the damage to the football stadium and press box.
While windows have been removed from the main school building, which was constructed in 1937, a timetable for the complete demolition has not been set.
Pictured: The former Century High School on Hecker Road. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
20 Responses to “Old Century High School To Be Demolished Due To Tornado Damage”
Oh no our school
I’m from Jay and I have many fond memories of the rivalry between our schools (including Flomaton). I miss the good old days of the EREC. I’m sad to see this go. I think the worst thing they ever did was closing this school to begin with. This was one thing the community was real proud of and it brought ‘em out on Friday night. I know how I would feel if they tore down the rest of the Jay school. Century I’m rootin’ for you. Things will get better.
That’s right Dana.
I think we all see the reality of the situation but that does not block the memories nor the hearts desire to see it live on. Maybe the flagpole monument could be restored and saved. Something physical to go with so many people’s memories.
Proud CHS grad 79 !!!
As Thumper says “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all” We love you Century High School. Here come the Blackcats. Go Blackcat Pride
Perhaps some bricks could be salvaged and repurposed if and when it does come down. You may rue the day to try to clean the mortar off but firepits, planters, walkways, borders, keep a memento yet give it new life.
I like hearing the stories and appreciate that the possible loss of a landmark and building that meant so much to so many is yet another collective loss to the community in the aftermath of the tornado. Its easy to look in objectively from the outside, and know loss and change is inevitable, it happens everyday, we know. To keep and restore a building takes a lot of money and the owner has to be the one to make that decision. This is just another blow after the initial destruction. Even so as we come to realize things may not be exactly as before, as we let go and move on it is important to acknowledge the loss.
My brothers (3) and I graduated from CHI as did my mom. One comment stated we are living in the past. Old saying goes , forgetting the past means repeating it. Building should have been put on the national historical registry. We raised enough money to bring old 100 back for restoration, we could certainly have done the same with CHS.
My father, Elson Hood was the band director there about47, 48 years ago. We lived just down the road. He talks about those times in that school to this day!
Wow I think your a little harsh with the comment Resident who are to judge and tell the people of century they live in the past they are just proud of their history and town as are lots old others when they drive by and it standing there brings back lots of memories for them as Molino does for me
You people do realize this building, which was falling apart before the tornado, is structural unsound? You do realize that this school closed 20 years ago? Many, many Century kids have graduated from other schools. Despite your beliefs that they must have a school in Century, Century’s kids have gone on to have fruitful, productive lives in ways you apparently can’t fathom.
You can hold onto your Blackcat Pride, but you must move on. The school has been dead for 20 years. Century kids graduating this year were not yet born when it closed. And they are going to do well in their futures without Century High.
Quit living in the past and realize that tearing down a dangerous 80-year old building won’t kill your town. You’ve done that already by living in the past.
Black Cats, may the Century mascot, the Black Panther live forever! Let the spirit of Black Panther who roamed these lands long before we were here help us to move as she moves through the overgrown and tangled vines, to understand that even in the darkest journeys the illuminating rays of faith and acknowledgement guide us. Go Blakcats! Your time together will never be taken from you.
Consolidation of schools took care of this aging school years ago. What possible use
could it have to make Century a better place to live.
Maybe, just maybe an industry would find the parcel of land just right to build on. Or maybe housing for those needing a better place to live and raise children.
My two cents worth!
it should never have been closed. too far from century. if you take the school out of a town the community dies.
The only way to stop this is not appealing to Malcolm. He doesn’t care about the North End. You people in the North End band together join hands and start a campaign to vote him out. Get the town out to vote give transportation offer services to take people to vote. You need to make noise. That school is Century. The town needs it to Stay. The people and graduates should have been given a chance to meet and say goodbye to a very special place before Malcolm dropped the hammer.
What a evil and very short man he is!
So, y’all complain when the feds raise taxes, and you have THE poorest town in Florida. And FEMA (Feds) would not provide any financial relief for the February tornado. But you expect the government to save/restore/rebuild a non-functional and obsolete high school. Maybe you concerned residents should raise the capital and restore it yourselves then.
This is sad. I didn’t graduate from Century, but that school is a landmark, has great historical value. If there is any way to preserve that school, it should be preserved.
Noooooooooooooo i know there is something someone can do to save this historical building
thanks you supt.thomas there goes the hood nothjng for century know who you vote for
This beautiful old school is an important part of Century’s history. It’s an historical treasure that deserves to be protected by federal funds, if necessary. Century High School has been graduating Blackcats since the 1930’s & it’s an integral part of Century’s history. Why must we tear everything down; especially when it can be preserved & protected? What @ the “Historical Society of Century”? Do they have a say in this situation? I feel like the people of Century should fight for our old school; it holds special meaning to those of us who walked through it’s corridors.
Aw Come on! That school is a historical building.. Century Blackcats have graduated from there, since the 1930’s..I know there must be a way to preserve & protect this treasure…Why must we tear down everything of historical value? Why can’t we at least try to hang on to the old school; it’s a landmark that binds the people of Century together..Let’s stop the demolition & form a “SAve the Historical Century High School” Society!