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High
School Days Page 3 Revised April 2014 |
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SCHOOL HISTORY The Fire of Jan. 8, 1968 How Sad! |
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On January 8, 1968, a fire set by an arsonist destroyed the main building of Clinton High School. Firemen seen in this photo battled the $2 million blaze in the early morning sub zero weather. Touched off in the rear of the auditorium, the fire swept through the third floor. The high school blaze was only one of several fires occurring in Clinton over a period of several weeks. In March, a seventeen-year-old boy was apprehended and admitted setting fire to the high school and eight other buildings including the Milner Lafayette Hotel and the G.L. Curtis house which was completely destroyed. The 1,156 students at Clinton High School were on Christmas vacation when the fire happened. Classes were delayed for two weeks and resumed on a half-day basis. For two years, high school students attended classes at Washington Junior High, Mt. St. Clare College, Clinton Community College, Clinton Public Library and the shops and gymnasium buildings of the high school which were not destroyed. The school was rebuilt and students returned to classes in the new, larger facility in 1970. (Photo Courtesy of The Clinton Herald) |