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. |
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Mosquito Creek view of Niles McKinley High School
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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. |
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Front entrance to Niles McKinley
High School.
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William McKinley Statue, erected in 1962.
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Rear view of high school and cafeteria.

Riverview of Niles McKinley High
School. PO11.1211 |
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Dedication Ceremony in Niles McKinley High School
Gym.
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Auditorium and stage, 1957.
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1957 classroom.
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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.
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Principal Robert Sharp
talking in Home-Economics Class.
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Chemistry teacher, Glenn Sechler, with
lab students.
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Last Day (2013) at Niles McKinley High School. |

Front Entrance, 2013.
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Old Central School Bell.
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Panorama view of front of high
school. |
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Interior front hall entrance. |

Auditorium Seating. |

Front hall at corner to cafeteria hallway.
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Cafeteria looking toward food line.
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Cafeteria looking toward library
wall. |

Front main entrance hall ticket
booth. |

Principal's office and desk.
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Secretary's desk and wall safe. |

School speaker/intercom system.
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Letter sweater from early 1960s.
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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.
|
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New Niles McKinley
High School |

Front view of new Niles McKinley High School.
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Close-up of Front entrance.
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New artificial grass sports field.
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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. |
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