Ironton High School

First Iteration

Ironton High School was constructed in 1922,(2)(7) boasting a two-tiered auditorium, greenhouse, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, cafeteria and library. A 3,112-seat football stadium was completed on Thanksgiving Day 1926 at a cost of $33,500, and was one of the few stadiums in the state of Ohio to feature a roof.(3)(4) The stadium was constructed behind the school, and was home to the Ironton Tanks, a powerhouse in professional football from 1919 to 1931.(3)

The Tanks, named for the large number of World War I veterans on the team, and for their rugged style of play, beat teams such as the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears. They posted an 85-19-14 record in 12 seasons, and later merged with the Portsmouth Spartans who later became the Detroit Lions.(3) The stadium later hosted the Ironton St. Joe Flyers, once the smallest football team in the state. The stadium received historical landmark designation on June 22, 2002, and a market was designated to the site by the Ohio Historical Society and the Ohio Bicentennial Committee in front of a crowd of 400.(3)

The indoor swimming pool was converted into a miniature gymnasium in the 1940s.(7) In 1975, a new gymnasium was constructed as part of a wastern extension the school.(2)

Redevelopment

Facing mounting maintenance issues and an aging building that required renovation, the Ironton school board requested renovations of the high school in July 2001.(5) The estimated cost of the renovations was $26,782,070 would have included roof repairs and interior restorations. The state would provide more than $20 million, with Ironton taxpayers picking up the remainder through a $6.73 million school bond levy for renovations.

In mid-2007, the majority of Ironton voted for a new building instead of renovations and passed a levy for construction.(11)

Ironton High School was vacated on May 27, 2007 and asbestos abatement began in August.(10) Bids were opened on September 25 for selective demolition of the school.(1) The low bidder was J&H Reinforcing and Structural Erectors at a cost of $1,750,000.(7)

Demolition on the old high school began in November 2007.(7)(8) The front entrance was saved during demolition,(1)(6)(8) as it featured an elaborate marble entryway and brass detailing.(7) It will be reused as the new entrance to the school. The 30-year-old gymnasium, the Tanks Stadium,(2) and various fixtures from the former school, including ornate details from the exterior, were all spared demolition. The former ticket booth to the auditorium is being refurbished for use in the new facility.

The new Ironton High School will be three stories, and contain a new auditorium and gymnasium. Each of the classrooms will feature a window and have at least 900 square-feet of space. It is scheduled to be completed by February 2010.(9)