Niles McKinley High School

Niles McKinley High School. As the veterans of World War 2 returned home, the large number of babies born in this time period became known as 'The Baby Boom'. In anticipation of the expansion of schools that would be needed, a bond issue was passed in 1953 to build two new elementary schools, Lincoln Elementary and S.J. Bonham, and a new high school, Niles McKinley High School. In addition, the old Niles High School would be renamed Edison Junior High School, serving all 7-9 grades in Niles. One old elementary school, Roosevelt, which was near to the new high school would become the high school annex in a few years.

Aerial view of Niles McKinley High School before any additions were made to the building or grounds. ca 1958.	1958 floor diagram for first floor. 1958 floor diagram for second floor.	1958 listing of teaching staff, subjects taught and classroom number.

Mosquito Creek view of Niles McKinley High School. S11.121	Niles McKinley High School, 616 Dragon Drive, was built in 1956 and dedicated in October of 1957. The main high school was designed for 750 students upon its opening. The gymnasium, named War Memorial Gym, had a seating capacity of over 2000.	Niles McKinley High School showing War Memorial Gymnasium. S11.125
Front entrance to Niles McKinley High School.	William McKinley Statue, erected in 1962.	Rear view of high school and cafeteria. Riverview of Niles McKinley High School. PO11.1211

Niles McKinley High School, 1958.	Niles McKinley High School, 1958.	Niles McKinley High School, 1958.

Dedication Ceremony in Niles McKinley High School Gym, 1957.	Auditorium and stage, 1957.	1957 classroom.

Girls play softball in new gym. The GAA, Girl's Athletic Association, offered organized competition within the school. No organized sports teams existed between schools for girls until the 1970s.	Principal Robert Sharp talking in Home-Economics Class.	Chemistry teacher, Glenn Sechler, with lab students.
Last Day (2013) at Niles McKinley High School.
Front Entrance, 2013.	Old Central School Bell.	Panorama view of front of high school.

Interior front hall entrance.	Auditorium Seating.	Front hall at corner to cafeteria hallway.
Cafeteria looking toward food line.	Cafeteria looking toward library wall.	Front main entrance hall ticket booth.
Principal's office and desk.	Secretary's desk and wall safe.	School speaker/intercom system.
Letter sweater from early 1960s.	Bo Rein's football jersey, Class of 1963.	Gymnasium entrance doors.
View of gymnasium floor.	Niles logo over gymnasium side door.	Dragon drawing on gym front wall.
Pencil and paper dispenser.	Demolition of front entrance to school, 2013.	Removal of William McKinley statue and pedestal.

New Niles McKinley High School.
Front view of new Niles McKinley High School.	Close-up of Front entrance.	New artificial grass sports field.
The bell from the old Central School bell tower which was placed on the pedestal at Niles High School on Church Street. It was moved to the front of Niles McKinley High School in the Spring of 1959.	The bell, first cast in 1871, now hangs on the grounds of the new (2013) Niles McKinley High School at 616 Dragon Drive.
Aerial view of Niles McKinley High School complex and Mosquito Creek.	Aerial view of Niles McKinley High School complex and football stadium.	Click to return to Central High School and McKinley High School (1871-1958) Return to the Homepage Return to Photographs Return to Stories