The building

The final home of Berea High was originally built between the years of 1927 and 1929. It was built to replace the older school, built in 1869s, that was on the corner of Beech and Center Street. The older school, which became the site of the Bud Collins tennis courts, were sold to Baldwin Wallace University in the 1970s and torn down shortly after.

At $650,000 ($8,332,805.00 in todays money), the 68,203 square foot building had a total of fourteen regular classrooms, thirteen 'special' rooms, cafeteria, book room, library, restrooms, and an office. There was also a 12,118 square foot auditorium-gymnasium complete with two floors of seating as well as gargoyles on the outside. An eager 393 kids were the first to be taught in the building along with their eager principal, M.L Royer.

The first major addition happened in the early to mid-1950s with the addition of shop rooms to the northwest part of the school. Next came the two-story science wing, which was attached to the 230s and 130s hallways. A three-story gymnasium were also added, with a brand new 12-foot deep pool for swim meets along with two phone booths constructed as well. The school also transitioned from a six year school to a three year school during this time.

The 1960s saw more additions and modifications due to the increase in population. Lots of classrooms, a cafeteria, and an expansion to the library (now named after the longtime principal, J.B Crabbs), were completed by 1967. Below the Cafeteria, the Shooting Range (AKA Rifle Room) was added as well.

This addition also called for the original building to be covered up again on the south side. Also, the original main entrance was covered up, only now to be accessible as a walkthrough from the 130s to the new wing. The original doors are still on the entrance to this day.

With the new addition, the school district turned to Robert Fillous, a 1935 Cleveland Institute of Art graduate to design/purchase a sculpture to be added to the outside. This sculpture was the Tree of Knowledge, a 1967 15' by 10' metal cast sculpture. It cost the school $25,000 dollars ( or $191,107.03 in todays money), which was more than three teacher's salaries at the time. The tree showcased science, history, geography, physical education, art, literature and humanities, and economics at the bottom in the shape of orbs. Notable places in Ohio, such as the Glenn Research Center, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and Rocky River are also featured on the sculpture. As of April 2022, the Berea Alumni Association is working on raising funds to restore the tree. If this is done, the tree will go on the new school building right outside the auditorium.

In the 1970's, four new science classrooms were built on the end of the science wing. The auditorium was also renovated, providing recovered seats and a bigger stage for kids to enjoy.

The industrial arts wing saw an addition to accommodate more machinery in the early 1980's. In 1984, the home-economics was renovated with a hallway leading to a courtyard transforming into a practice living room. The art department, in 1986, was given the entire basement to use for classes.

In 1994, the district decided to expand once again, this time with the Sports Center. The two-story building was added to the side of the building facing Eastland Road. It had an overhead track, basketball courts, and a large area for gathering before sporting events.

All of these additions covered up the 1920s part of the school, and only the tower, smoke stack, and west side of the building are now visible. It is now set to be razed sometime in mid to late 2020, with a brand new $71.3 million school being built behind it. A final walkthrough of the school was conducted on June 7th, 2020 (this is also the day where many of the pics on here were shot).

Sadly, demolition began on the high school on August 18th, 2020, with the Sports center and lasted until December 7th with the demolition of the smoke stack.

Fun Facts:

The original yearbook (before the 1927 school was built) name was called The Crucible at first in 1914. Then, in 1925, it changed to the Berean for the next 88 years.

The Lincoln Gettysburg address was added to the school and is right next to the 1927 cornerstone.

Speaking of cornerstones, there are a total of three; one in the 130's hallway (1927), one in the 150's (mid 1950's), and one in the J entrance (1960's). The Sport's center did have one, but it was removed.

The basement of the school was not all connected!! There were 4 entrances: One in the 140's hallway (original Cafeteria), one by the Cafeteria (Rifle/Shooting room) one in the 150's hallway (Mens Locker room), and one in the gymnasium (additional room). The architects who were building the additions did not feel it was necessary to connect the basements

The Rifle Room (AKA Shooting Range) never had a single bullet shot in it.

The Clock Tower is actually the wrong name for it! Read more about that in the Clock Tower section.

The original 'gym' was actually behind the Auditorium. That where basketball was held

The music hallway originally had a wooden plaque with it. When the plaque was taken down, the custodian gave it to the President of the Alumni Association.

Some of the lockers were originally blue, but were painted to white.

Below are some miscellaneous photos of the school I found in various yearbooks.