Hey LIONs!

Keep scrolling to view photos and documentation of the BHS demolition......

Thanks David Phillips '77 for taking these detailed photos of the Baker Demolition and John Crimmel '70 for keeping us informed .... The photos and the information are very sad but both of you captured the experience  and "closed the doors" for us. .....giving us good "documentation" for our website - it's history. Thank you!

Good afternoon ladies and gentleman,

   I just got back from Baker and wanted to give you an update as to what is going on. The bulk of the work is being done on what I knew as the freshman wing when I went to Baker from 1967 - 1970. For those of you who were there before me that is the wing that runs parallel to Victory Dr or if memory serves me correct, the south wing of Baker. 

   The demolition is moving right along. The walls to the freshman / south / Victory Drive wing are pretty much down on both sides of the wing right up to the hallway. Now I'm not a mechanic or anything like that so I went to a heavy equipment web site to get the following term. Several hydraulic excavators are being used to pull the walls down. I saw three at the school today. One was not being used. One had worked its way down below the parking lot level of the school and was digging in what was once the canning factory / ROTC area. The other one was up toward the auditorium are but had not actually started on the auditorium. There were two large piles of debris near the auditorium. One of the excavators was more or less going through the debris and separating the salvagable materials form the unsalvagable ones.

   The asbestos removal crew is working in the senior wing as well as several other areas of the school. There is a very large pile of what I believe is asbestos on the ground by the back entrance to the gym. It could be insulation. I spoke briefly with the foreman about our bricks but just as we began our discussion he got a phone call that he had to take and he told mehe was going to be on the phone for a while.  I told him we would talk more about it tomorrow.

   Well folks, that's all I've got. Oh yeah, I do have pics but my Kodak Easy Share isn't working right. I'll probably have to download everything on to my daughter in laws computer in order to get them on the web site. Y'all take care and stay warm. John

Ran by Baker today to take a few photos before it's all gone, and to let the Lions living in other areas see the demolition.

Wed. Jan 12, 2011

David Phillips BHS Class 1977

Wednesday January 12, 2011

  Just got in from Baker a little while ago. Saw my friend David Phillips BHS 77, who by the way makes some pretty good wine, over there taking pics. Progress is moving right along. Pretty much everything is down from the end of the freshman/ south / Victory Dr wing up to the entrance of the school where we got off the buses at, that is located near the back of the auditorium. It is so sad to see it going down so fast. I was sitting in my car in the parking lot and from there you could see the tops of the door frames that were in the basement where the old ROTC / canning factory area was at. Right behind it in all of its splendor and glory is the gym. You can see it plain as day from the parking lot. Was talking with the project foreman and he said that more than likely the gym would be down by this time ( 515 PM ) Friday afternoon. David and I both agreed that it was so sad to see something that meant so much to so many being leveled. In the 3 years I went to school at Baker I had 4 classes in that wing. OOOPS make that 5. My sophomore year I had General Math with a very nice teacher by the name of Cheryl Rose. That was on the ground floor in the first classroom past the entrance to the school that was located where we got dropped off by the buses. Then upstairs I had Major Blumhagen for two classes, World Geography and US History my sophomore and junior years repectively , Jimmy Whitt for General Science junior year and another one of my favorite teachers, Gwynette Carley who I had for Biology my sophomore year. To be honest with you I never had a bad teacher at Baker. I liked all my teachers there. Let's see if I can remember them all. Other than the 4 I've mentioned I had Coach Pete Jenkins for 2 years of PE and Coach Frank Brown for 1. Had Coach Melachrino for study hall for two years. I had Mrs Loncke for English my Junior year, Miss Anderson my Senior year, Barbara Appino for speech my Senior year, Coach Terry Lewis for Journalism my Senior year, Colonel Horan and Colonel Hayes for Socialogy and economics respectively my Senior. I had Mrs. Radecki my junior year for Biology, ( I'll tell that story some other time ). I had Mr. Bruce and Ms. Driskell for government my Senior year. Plus my Junior year I had Mr. French for US History but he either quit or got transferred and the whole class got taken over by Mr. Blumhagen. I believe I got them all. The only homeroom teachers I can remember are Major Thomas and Mrs. Zimmerman. Can't remember who I had my sophomore year. 

 Oh well I guess I had better go. Diane will be home soon. Hope you all enjoyed my little trip down memory lane. I did. Take care, John

Oh yeah, Woody Hayes, if you are reading this, how are my annuals? On your next tripback to Columbus please bring them with you. I miss them sooo much!!!   

Evening All,

 I went by the School this afternoon to take some more update photos for you all. More progress has been made to the Freshman wing, and basement area as you can tell from the photos. (I don't mean Progress in a good way)  =0(

David Phillips "77"

Sat. Jan, 15th 2011

You are so welcome dear, Thats why I do it for all who cant be here for this sad Occasion. It's history and I want to make a photo record of it one. But mostly so that the people like you that cant see first hand, can at least see in photo as the progress continues.

Went by Baker this afternoon and the gym is almost gone. So sad. Need to stop by and talk to the demolition crew foreman. He was supposed to look for a possible time capsule in the gym. He is supposed to call me if they find anythng.

Drove by Baker this afternoon and it was indeed a sad sight. The gym, the lunchroom and the senior wing are all down. Enough said.

PHOTO UPDATE

WED JAN 19th 2011

Yes---thank you David for the pictures---I have not gone by---can't---I am not sure when I will be able to go by there---it is so sad----I am just thankful that Lions are not just the building---we are the Lions--a family and we will continue to Roar---loud and strong---

"Had a little rooster---set him on the fence---he crowed for Columbus and he ain't crowed since---"

Lion born-

Lion bred-

and when I die

I'll be a Lion dead!

In the pines of dear 'ole Georgia---she may no longer stand---on actual "earth" space---but she stands in our hearts, in our memories, ---forever!!!!

david i will be in columbus today & sat so i will be at baker i hope to meet you one day thanks again

wendy  that was cute i hope to see you this weekend

Dear Marion,

 Nothing would be better than to meet a fellow Lion. Maybe if you have a chance to go by Roy Cooks Place for Lunch on Saturday I might see you. That is out Local Baker Sanctuary as we have some of our museum memorabilia down in the Lions Den. Thats a must see if you havent been to Columbus for some time.

Saturday Jan 22, 2011

Photo above is the Only thing remaining on the Freshman wing of the building. It is what is remaining of the side entrance to the building.  THE STEPS

Thank you for posting these pics!  I wish I didn't live so far away.  I would love to have been able to get a brick from the school. 

Nancy

Thanks David

The pic are more than I can stand. The old Girl was and will remain Beautiful in All our eyes and Hearts!

The building was a Hugh part of us, but not as hugh as our memories, love and friendship we all share.

The only wish, I have at this point, is the Baker Jr. High school which is located near out Beloved Baker, will have the Love for their school, as we do ours. They are caring the Baker Lion honorable, loyal name forward now.

Love being a Baker High LION!!!! Forever

david i think you are right nobody will ever have the spirit we do. just look at our parking lot partys. i hope to meet you at FLAG UP! PARTY DOWN! so many people love to keep that spirit so it will last . thanks to people like roy terry john & you. it really means alot to people that you share your time & pictures with us.

David,

This is soooooooooo True. The young adults these do not have the values, as we did went we was that age. I girl can Still Dream, can't she?

A friend of Glenn's called last week, telling him to tell me that she had stopped by Baker and talked the construction manager into giving her 2 bricks. The lady attended Columbus High, not Baker. She explained we lived here in Waikiki and we both had attended Baker. To make a Long story short. He let her have them for us. She told Glenn, she knew how Special I felt about Baker and she thought I would enjoy having a brick. I thought that was so sweet of her. A woman, I do not even know and did not attend Baker, knowing how Special, Love and Devotion we all have for the Building and All of our Classmates.

Thanks again for Sharing... Tears are Rolling Again.!

Jeanne,

What a wonderful thing for you!  I'm sure you will cherish them.  People don't realize what  old bricks could mean to someone.

Walt Lehner '68

Jeanne....that really was special of the lady to get you both a brick. 

DAVID...as I told you the other day,  you are letting those of us who cannot say "goodbye" to the school in person, say goodbye to her via pictures and comments.  Thanks again.

Walt and Linda... Thanks. It was special of her. Love ya Jeanne

As of

WEDNESDAY, February 09 2011

MONDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2011

We also have a BHS PHOTO GALLERY, BHS DEMOLITION 2011 photo gallery with local TV station videos and possibly more photos of the demolition......

Terry,

When I think you can not do anything else to improve the site.... here you go again. You just amaze me with all your talents. Thanks Girl...... love you for all you do for the site and watching out for all of us. One Special Lady (Lioness)!

David,

Thank you so much for the photos you are providing to the forum.  You are a TRUE Lion. 

Terry-as always thank you for just being you. You rock girl.

John-yu da man.

Good evening ladies and gentleman,

 Drove by Baker this evening around 630pm and pulled into the parking lot next to Victory Drive. It looks like all the classrooms are down on the inside portion of the main wing or front portion of the building. That is the classrooms that were overlooking the courtyard. It looks like what they will do next is to tear out the walls and the hallways leaving the classrooms upstairs and the classrooms and offices downstairs that are part of the front part of the building that runs paralel to Benning Drive. I'm estimating that it will all be down in another two weeks. I'm going by tomorrow to take to the project foreman about a couple of things and I'll try to get him to give me an estimate. In my opinion I would say that 4 weeks tops and they will be through. I'll post something tomorrow evening if I am able to talk to the project foreman.

 Take care, John 

John Crimmel wrote:

 John, just talk to him as if he just said "God bless Columbus High School and screw the Baker Bums".  He's tearing down OUR high school!!  He doesn't care!   Easy for me to say.  I'm far away.  But that's what I would try to think about.  Hang in there buddy. 

walt  the guys working are really nice. they are just doing a job. they stop and talk to the people. i think they know it is sad. they see alot of baker people up there watching.

john my heart goes out to you. thanks for all you have did.

Marion Butts Richard) (75 wrote:

 Marion, I know.  I was just trying to help John out.  I know how he feels.

WALT...I have the same sentiments....they are just doing a job, collecting a paycheck.  Tearing down stuff is what they do.....they don't call it a "wreckin" company for nothing.  I saw the video of Anthony Valero(?) breaking down and it touched me. Our distance from the place only allows us to draw on memories.  I suppose my feelings would be different if I was standing out front.  I was talking with Bubba John on the phone and he could remember the room number 112 of his sophomore year homeroom.  I can bearly remember where I lost my heart to that boy in senior year.....hehehehe

Hey y'all, the tower is down. Spoke with project foreman and he is estimationg that the building will be down by next Friday. Then there will be about 3-4 weeks of cleanup. So we are looking at 4-5 weeks tops and the demoliton and cleanup will be complete. Chris, who is the project foreman, is going to get with me one day next week and we are going to look for the time capsule that was supposed to be buried by the library which it was for us younger folks, post 1965, and the lunchroom for the pre 1965 folks. Gosh it is getting tougher and tougher to go by and see our school dying a slow agonizing death. Five weeks and it will be no more. Y'all take care, John

John---thank you so much for all that you do--I am grateful---that for the most part the people you have been dealing with have been fairly kind and understanding--as stated by others--they are doing a job--they did not have any part in the decision to tear down our beloved school---

Years ago when they moved the Baker students to Carver--the motion was started--the end began then---

God bless you John---and all those that have been by the school and posted pics---

Wendy

Good evening everyone,

  Drove by Baker about an hour and a half ago and they are moving right along. Basically what is happening is that one guy on a hydraulic excavator has finished knocking down the class rooms on the cortyard side of the main wing and another guy is making his way down toward the main offices collapsing the classrooms that are on the outside or Benning Drive side of the main wing. Then all that will be left is the hallways and that won't take not time at all to demolish. The guy on the Benning Drive side of the school has stopped just short of the main office. Not sure if they were going to do anymore demolition this evening but to me it looked like they were through for the day. Not sure what time I'll get by there tomorrow but I have a feeling it will be early.

Y'all take care, John  

Funny what you think of when someone posts about BHS. 

I got to Baker from Ft. Riley during my Soph. year and remember spending part of each ensuing year in Mrs. Guiot's Spanish class.  Her room was on the upper ell of the school front on the left (so it overlooked the circular drive) and boy, it got the hot afternoon sun.  One year my class was during last period and by that time of day, that room was baking.  How did Mrs. G. stand it?  Kids today have no idea what it was like to be in non-airconditioned classrooms...lol.  I missed the Freshman wing experience, but I bet you have heat related stories too. 

Learned a lot in that room though and it's sad to think it's gone... as are the rooms for Mrs. Pulliam and Ms. Skinner and Mr. Liebendorfer and  Mr. Grant and a host of other memorable teachers.   Think of the hours they spent in those rooms teaching hundreds of us brats all those years.  

Seems like a good time to get out the annuals and go back in time.

Pam....that room may not be gone yet, I was out there this afternoon & they were at the end by the band room.  They are working toward the end you were talking about.

Pat

Today

My husband and I visited Columbus today and we drove by the school.  Oh how sad!!  I was literally in shock when I saw our school.  So sad!!  I was able to go into the main entrance by the office.  I know, I know, I wasn't suppose to but I took the chance. It would be the last chance I would ever have.  There isn't much left of her.  I was able to go into the office.  I spent a year there as Mr. Boyles' secretary and my senior year as the registrar (VOT).  We walked a little of the main hall and a portion of the north wing (what was left) with a couple of other BHS graduates.  It was like a death....hard to put into words.

So many grand memories and happy times! 

   Spoke with the demolition foreman yesterday and he told me that the building would be completely down by this Friday the 25th. All classrooms on the backside of the building have been collapsed into the basement. All classrooms on the front side have been collapsed to the first floor level. There is one upper classroom on the main portion of the building that has not been collapsed. Also there is one section of offices on the lower floor that has not been collapsed.  By midday today they shold be down. All that will be left will be the main hallways both up stairs and down as well as the junior wing hallways upstairs and down. Monay the cleanup should begin.

  Still can't get a definite answer as to when we will get bricks but yesterday morning while talking with Chris I asked him about getting a few more bricks and he told me that it would be possible. He is going to be sending some bricks to be cleaned and when they are ready he will deliver them to the parking lot on the South Side of the school. I am going to go talk to him today about having them delivered to a storage facility instead so that we can go ahead and put them in safekeeping until we are ready to start selling.

Take care, John  

Thank you, DAVID.  Again, you have allowed those of us far away to get a bird's eye view.  That lone chalkboard hanging there is quite profound.

hey david  thanks again for your great pictures. just so sad. can't wait to meet you. are you going to flag up party down if so i will be at the auburn tent

john thanks for all the hard work. i know your heart breaks.

I just posted this on the Baker High page on Facebook but wanted to share it with y'all.

Went by Baker today and Chris was on the phone with his boss. Seems like the Environmental Protection Agency stopped by the demolition site today and what did they find. A little bit of asbestos from the band room ceiling. EPA took a sample and will run a test to see if it is " hot ". In the mean time the demolition crew can't move anything from the band room area. If it comes back hot then EPA will have to approve that part of the site before they remove the band/choral room rubble. May take a day or two. She's goin' but she ain't gonna roll over and play dead.

So, my first grade classroom still stands....back side of the north end of Baker...overlooking the grounds.

Joy Mellen White
Lion Cub
'69 Adoptee
now in Corona, California
40 minutes east of Disneyland

john- she is woman hear her ROAR!!!!!!!!!!

well i will be in columbus so maybe part will still be standing

and remember april 9 is flag up party down so hope to see everyone

Joy Mellen White wrote:

 JOY....i was in that 1st grade class too...i believe Ms. Smith was the teacher's name...i actually have the numbers off the door to that classroom and i put them on the door of my office at my home.....so 1st grade is with me everyday.....

Hi, I posted my 1st grade class photo on the forum many years ago. See if you can recognize anyone. At the new Muskogee Elementary my teacher was Mrs. Hunicutt. After 1st grade we moved out to the countryside of Columbus (off Floyd Rd) for a couple of school years and then back to Benning Park. We were then bussed to the Post elementary schools.