by Matt Marquardt –
I took my boy in to register for classes Friday; freshman registration was held at the high school in Mason City.
As I passed through the main doors of MCHS, an old high school buddy of mine was right in front of me, a guy I have known since we were in Sunday school together, probably second grade, ran track together. Smuck was a heck of a runner.
It got me thinking, though, as I patted ole Smuck on the back and noticed the construction zone in the commons, simultaneously passing through those doors I probably only entered a handful of times since I graduated in 1991. This place is gonna change, never to be the same.
They tore down three of my old schools already. The old Harding School is long gone, replaced. As a matter of fact, I helped build the new one as a brick and mortar laborer back in ’99 when I came back here. Grant School … if any of you have a recollection of that one, was located where Shopko is now. We lived across the street, our house was where Casey’s is now. I watched them tear old Grant School down and build Shopko. And of course Roosevelt Middle School met the wrecking ball as well.
It’s sad but times change. Mason City High School won’t meet the wrecking ball, but it will undergo a major renovation, costing millions of dollars. Probably needs it.
After we got registered, I took a quick lap around the commons one last time and snapped a few photos. The school really hasn’t changed all that much over all these years; the floors, bricks and ceiling tiles have probably never been replaced.
I snapped a photo of one particular nook that brought back some memories. A back entrance near the commons (see photo, right) that used to be called “the bullpen.” I remember it was still going strong when I got to MCHS as a freshman. It was where a lot of the heavy metal, thrasher types hung out and smoked cigarettes. Yes, you were allowed to smoke on school grounds in those days. I think I saw a textbook or two on fire out there.
Today I thought about all the people who were classmates of mine as well as all the others who were students not just at MCHS but all the other Mason City Schools, and thought it was worth a look back.
Times change. I hope the new MCHS makes as many great memories as the old one.
Hallway by main office
Commons, facing east
MCHS main entrance
In my time at Mason City High School I have seen the god, the bad, and the ugly of the current generation. I probably will remember MCHS one and for most the girls basketball triumph at state in 2013 which I got to witness. That night was special, something that seems to be rarity now. There have been many triumphs don’t get me wrong. I will also remember MCHS as my class to be the first and last class to deal with construction in their high school career. I’m gonna miss this place! Go…
This is my favorite article you have written because it showed your true passion for Mason City and wasn’t really biased about anything. It was clearly fact and some opinion. It showed the true you Matt.
When I graduated in 1980, the bull pin wasn’t just for Metal Heavy thrashers, all kinds hung out there and had a great time. It was just a good time to go out and hang with people from other parts of the city and get to know them better.
It is great to see the photos of MCHS! I think the community needs to see the improvements in all of the buildings from time to time. So many memories of the 80’s in one of the best schools around! Thanks for posting!
Graduated 1987, miss that place. Thanks for the photos.
Matt, glad you support our MCHS and area loyal Mohawk!
I graduated from MCHS over 25 years ago. I have good memories of my time there. I, too, remember the bullpen. The kids nowadays can’t believe we had that. Looking back,neither can I!
Matt, I was a regular in the bullpen! Times do change! Goodbey to old MCHS, hello new.
$40 million and NO new swimming pool!!!
Joe,
I don’t know if the cost is really $40 million but you are completely right about the swimming pool. It is the same pool that we used 40+ years ago when I went to MCHS. The MC swimming teams have done a great job under Coach Hugo (and Coach Colville), winning state titles and having many, many individual champions. I have been to meets at that pool and others, and it is somewhat embarrassing to listen to the other parents there talk about the lack of room, the lack of locker room space, and the overall condition of the pool. If it were the football stadium, it would have been renovated years ago. Too bad they once again miss the boat on this.
Even though I helped build the High School back in the day I have never been inside anything but the gym. It is strange to go to Mohawk Square and see the old high school. Strange it was outmoded but is now home to a lot of business today. Makes you wonder if with a little more maintenance effort it could have still been used as a school. The same thing applies to the new school. With a declining enrollment this remodel should last well into the future. It really confuses me that a couple of years ago they didn’t have 300K but now have millions to do this work.
This is probably one of your best articles you have written in a long time. Nice job, well done.