Tri-Valley Middle School (Old)

Tri-Valley Middle School, located in Dresden, Ohio, formerly was the only middle school for the Tri-Valley Local School District, a public school district encompassing northwest and north central Muskingum County, Ohio.It previously served as an elementary school and is currently under demolition.

History

Jefferson High School (as it was known as until 1966) was built in 1922, and designed by architect E.W. Austin. The school opened its doors on January 1, 1924. In 1938, it was clear that the current school was becoming too crowded for the students, so it was decided to build two new wings, one on each side of the existing school. By January 1939, construction had begun on the east wing, which would contain more classrooms. In 1940, the west wing was completed. This wing housed two new classrooms, and a new gymnasium, to replace the much smaller one in the main building.

tructural Changes

Between 1922 and 1940, to today, many exterior and interior changes have been made to the school structure. Above the gymnasium entrance once were three wrought iron heat vents. Today, only the middle vent remains. The two vents were removed at an unknown time between 1954 and 2000. Where the sidewalk and the pathway to the gymnasium, once stood two brick pillars with globe lights on their tops. They were removed at unknown time after 1968. In addition, there was once three windows on either side of the gym entrance doors. These windows once provided a source of light for the boys and girls restrooms.Today, they have been bricked up.

Current Usage

From June 2004 to August 2006, Tri-Valley Middle School was unoccupied,as the new middle school students would attend the newly built Tri-Valley Middle School. In 2006, the school district used the old middle school to house the Jefferson Elementary students, while their school was being demolished and the Dresden elementary school was being built. As of May 2007, the new elementary school construction is well underway and will be functional in Fall 2008, which would mean the final evacuation of students at the old Middle School. This evacuation occurred at the conclusion of the 2007-2008 school year.In early 2008, Tri-Valley School district intended to demolish the 86-year old building in 2008, once the new Dresden Elementary school is completed. The new square footage attained was planned for a new family recreation center which received bids in late April 2008. Bids were received, and the center was planned to be constructed starting August 2008. On July 30, the first phase of demolition began. The East Wing will the first section to be removed, followed by the west wing, and lastly, the original structure. By August 15, the building was completely demolished.

In The Future

The school's land is currently being razed to begin construction on the new fitness center. Plans are set for the construction to begin by the end of September.