From its opening in 1962, the building at 415 West Sun Street was one of the pillars of community in Morehead. It was first built to be the Rowan County High School, but the building has served many functions over the years: the host of recreational activities for the city, somewhere professional education was offered in cosmetology and medicine, and an office space, but to many educators and students in the region, it was like home.
After over six decades of service, the building was sold to UK St. Claire, and officials decided to open it to the public for a final time. Glen Teager is Chief Operating Officer for Rowan County Schools and helped organize the walkthrough event. He said the facility is filled with memories.
“Some people went to middle school there, some people went to high school there, some of us worked there. It was a central office for 3 years. A lot of people have different memories of that building. It has certainly served our county well from some 60, almost 65 years now,” said Teager.
Alumni reflected with nostalgia and sadness over the closing of the building, including Irene McClurg and Toni Jackson. They both said they were happy to visit the building one more time.
“I would not have missed it.” “We loved it.” “We made plans last week.” “I am glad they kept it in use this long. See, I went to Morehead Grade School too. So, they kept the buildings in use and that was a good thing. They did not just abandon it, but I guess it is time,” said McClurg and Jackson.
The decision to sell the building came after St. Claire Regional Medical Center merged with UK Healthcare. When asked for comment, representatives from UK St. Claire said the plans for the property have not been finalized, but that it will be used to advance healthcare in the region. UK St. Claire will receive the entire 11-acre plot from the school district, including the old Morehead Grade School.
Glen Teager said if the school district was going to let this surplus property go, they wanted it to be put to good use.
“We realize how important UK St. Claire is in our community. For them to be able to expand and do the things they want to do they obviously needed land. We certainly are happy pleased to be able to hand over the keys so that we know they will be a part of our downtown for a long time. I think that’s good for our community,” said Teager.
Although the district is letting go of this multi-use property, Rowan County still operates many schools in the region. Elementary Schools, like Clearfield and Rodburn, have had various renovations to keep them up and running for future students. Teager said, although these schools serve their communities well, one element has been missing.
“Unfortunately, we do not have neighborhood schools in our county anymore. There’s really not schools people can walk to, I have had that comment several times. But at the same time, that building did serve its use," said Teager. “The halls and things are still in good shape, just renovations got to the point where there really was not much you could do.”
With alumni returning to the building a final time, teachers also came to visit their old classrooms. Lisa Brown taught at the Sun Street School for nearly three decades. She said returning was an emotional experience.
“Tears have been brought. Teachers even came back that I taught with. It is very bittersweet. The building has always been here to drive by and now I know it is going to be gone, and this is my last walk through it,” said Brown.
Several more teachers came to visit the halls of their careers, but for Brown, this too brought bittersweet feelings.
“It is sad. We pass by some of the doors that we have lost our teachers. It just breaks your heart because the memories of all of us together. We worked as a team. We truly loved each other and loved our kids here and it is just a sad thing,” said Brown.
For a few hours in late June, the building was full of conversation again as graduating classes gathered for the schools reopening, teammates returned to the courts, and laughs were shared about old memories and new ones.
Although the building will be closed from now on, Brown said the memories will always bring people together.
“There is so many memories in this building. I taught here 27 and a half years, came from Elliottville. Just today, walking through the halls and hoping I would see my kids. I have seen 15, 20 of my students, so it is very touching,” said Brown.
Rowan County High School, constructed in 1962, along with Morehead Grade School, built in the 1940s, have closed their doors for the last time. The building was moved to the care of UK St Claire in full on July 1.