"Historic Places at the Crossroads"

6th Annual Preservation Week 2004 Photo-Essay Competition

First Place: Cameron Barton

Title: Old Edmonton High School

The old Edmonton High School is a beautiful building that stands in the middle of our town of twelve hundred people. It was built in 1923 and has stood empty now for forty years. It was purchased a few years ago by private citizen who formed M.O.S.T.(Metcalfe Old School Trust) he donated the building to that trust in hopes of preserving it for future generations and to add to the beauty of out town. Edmonton, in Metcalfe County is a rural community. Other historical building in our town include the courthouse and old jail, both were in danger recently of being lost to make way for a new justice center and jail. Thank You to the local chapter of the Historical Society and concerned, involved citizens for saving those.

Now, I want to help. I love to look up on our town hill when I come into town and see that beautiful building standing there. It makes my stomach jump it is so pretty. I want my children to be able to see it. But, unless a restoration begins in the next two to four years I am afraid the building will be lost forever.
The clock is ticking and our city government and officials are not responding this time. M.O.S.T. and its board members have gotten no support from elected officials and the citizens do not attend announced meeting held by M.O.S.T. to discuss preservation.
The gym has already been lost, but until the last five years the school was standing strong. Then, thousands of pigeons invaded our town. The pigeons tore up the roof and roosted in the school. The interior is now at the mercy of the elements. Just a few years ago you could walk safely anywhere in the school but now the upstairs floors are beginning to rot from the middle out.

When you talk to people who went to school there many will have tears come to their eyes because of the memories they hold in their hearts. Something else they have in common is the "I can not do anything" and "I have no extra money to donate". I want to beg past students and our present city government to know that they are right. One person can not give what is needed, but together we can give everything.
Please remember when the school was built in 1923 our county could not afford it then, but we made it happen. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers would come to the school after a hard day farming and taking care of their own land and families to help build the E.H.S. (Edmonton High School). It was important enough to THEM.
Now is the time to come together again, like they did in 1923. My mom says that people are always quick to realize when something from the past is lost and to say, "Why did we let that happen". Please, lets not find ourselves asking that question again.

We are not "At a Crossroads" we are in the middle of that crossroad!

This essay and photograph(s) are the property of Preservation Kentucky, Inc. and Kentucky Heritage Council and that any use of the photo or essay must be approved by PK and KHC.