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Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Wernerts Coroner

Wernerts Coroner

It's 8am, most people that are actually productive members of society are already at work or school. I am still exhausted from the day prior and am slowly realizing that the all night Minecraft session with another explorer wasn't the best idea.


I sat quietly on a slide in the now desolate playground sipping my warm tea watching the world go by. In front of me stands the now windowless remains of the Wernert Elementary School, only two years prior the sounds of screeching children and minivan tires would have filled the air. Today the only sounds to be heard is the sounds of angry drivers on Douglas Road and crinkling plastic in the wind.
 

This moment of relaxation was not exactly my choice as I had now been waiting FORTY FIVE MINUTES for a worker at the Rite Aid across from the school to finish bringing trash out to the dumpsters. Seriously how much trash did they have?! I initially figured that historical information on this site would plentiful considering it had only closed two years prior, however, I couldn't be more wrong.


In fact I had only discovered this place was actually abandoned earlier today at around midnight. I remember seeing a news blurb about the school closing down back in 2022 but I figured it would be either alarm haven or re-purposed almost immediately. 


According to a 13abc article about the closure of the school, the school was originally constructed in 1918, however, the auditor map lists the building as being built in 1919. I am tempted to lean more towards 1919 as the opening date considering the school held an open house back in 2019 to celebrate 100 years, then again when have schools ever been good about teaching local history.


The same article goes on to state Whitmer High School used the building originally.
The Wikipedia for Whitmer High School says they didn't begin operations until 1924, I also could not find any mention of Whitmer High School on Google Books until around that time as well. Whatever the building was used for between 1919 and 1924 has been lost to time.


The online Sanborn maps were of no help either as Washington Township was not part of Toledo until the 1960s. Speaking of the 1960s, In 1960 Whitmer Highschool moved to a new building on 5601 Clegg Dr where they still operate today. I think one of my friends got shot at while attending a football game there actually.


Sometime in the 60s a small one story wing was added onto the back of the school, my best guess is that this was likely for kindergarten/pre K classes. The school continued to operate as an elementary school until 2022 when it was permanently closed. I believe this was part of a greater plan to demolish/consolidate schools in northern Toledo, as around this time Jackman and Shoreland Elementary school were both demolished. I don't know if Jackman was replaced by anything new but Shoreland was completely rebuilt.

Typical classroom.

I've always been torn on the topic of whether or not to replace aging schools in America. On one hand it kind of sucks when you are young going to a 100+ year old school that leaks water from the ceilings and looses heating every other week while your friends in other school districts are showing off their brand new modern campus. After all these buildings were not designed with the world of computer labs and smart boards in mind. 

The library.

On the other hand I don't think we should just demolish all the old schools and build brand new ones on top of them, or in the case of this school, reduce them to a grass lot. Schools are one of the easiest buildings to re use, many old schools have been converted to apartments, offices, and in cases like Martin School; artist colonies.


After the closure the Washington Township schoolboard sat on the building for about a year before deciding to demolish it. I don't recall ever seeing them even attempt to list the building for sale anywhere. Quite a shame considering the building hadn't really deteriorated (Until of course contractors ripped the windows out and damaged the roof).


Demolition had been progressing at a steady pace until last Thursday when the City of Toledo issued a Stop Work Order against the site. For some reason the Stop Work Order relates to the lack of permits to install windows at the newly planned Jefferson Junior High on Quast Lane.

I don't want to imagine how long it took someone to stage this shot but I cashed in on it for free.

While I was climbing the staircase to the third floor I began hearing the sounds of an engine revving and heavy equipment rattling the building. I immediately panicked thinking demolition had resumed on the building with me inside so I quickly raced to a window (or lack thereof) to investigate what was going on.


When I reached the window and peered out I saw something worse than anything I could have ever anticipated.... Just kidding it was a trash truck collecting dumpsters from the neighboring building. The missing windows made it so everyone and their brother could see inside the classrooms which earned me a confused stare from one of the trashmen.


Eventually the stop work order will clear up and demolition will resume on the building. Toledo seems to be on a major demolition kick as of late for some reason. Several of the places I have posted about in Toledo before are currently under demolition or have already been demolished. 


The missing windows and somewhat intact interior remind me a lot of the now demolished Libbey High School. I'm a bit surprised that scrappers haven't tried to cash in on the window of opportunity but I guess Toledo is higher class than good old Detroit.


Another notable event that occurred at the site was the death of a 38 year old women outside of the building earlier this year. The cause of death is believed to be hypothermia, at least this time it wasn't a murder like at Boysville, still very sad nonetheless.


College is starting to wrap up for me so I have been a bit busy. This month overall has been a bit crummy to be honest. Despite this I hope to get at least one more post out this month. Only time will tell I guess, until then...

Mutagen Out!

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