Hundreds Say Goodbye to Old John Marshall High

A huge crowd gathered Saturday at the old John Marshall High School in northwest Oklahoma City to say goodbye to the building, before the city votes on its future. 

"Never thought John Marshall had this much love, but people can amaze you," Eric Parker, a 2001 graduate said.

Parker and others fondly remembered the school, sharing those memories with hundreds of grads from several different generations.

"I can remember the day Kennedy was shot, because I was in this small gym right here in my P.E. class and they sat us all down on the floor and then an announcement was made," said Betty Lindley, class of 1964.

The building has been closed for six years.  A new John Marshal High School opened to replace it in 2005, about five miles northwest of the old one. The Oklahoma City Planning Commission is set to take up the issue of demolishing the building during its March 14 meeting. Developers are asking for the land to be rezoned for residential purposes in order to build townhomes, apartments and a park in its place.

"You know, I have mixed feelings. I'd hate to see it go, but if it’s not worth renovating then I would say it needs to go and the property be used for something good," Lindley said.

The old building has become a target for vandals. It was damaged by two suspicious fires in just the last year.

Some old students say they'll be sad to see it go.  Organizers of Saturday's event circulated a petition, hoping to sway a no-vote from the planning commission.Hundreds Say Goodbye to Old John Marshall High

Posted: Saturday, February 2 2013, 09:23 PM CST