Memories will remain but the building will not. For 104 years, Gomer Elementary School stood to provide education to a variety of age groups throughout the years. With the school not being in use for the last six years, on Wednesday, the demolition of the elementary school began.
One of the few people watching the beginning of the demolition was Lori Saffle. She started at Gomer elementary as a first grader in 1969. As she looked to the north end of the building coming down, she remembered her times in that school and how much more peaceful it was.
"I can remember my favorite teacher was Mrs. Dunleavy," said Saffle. "That was my fifth grade teacher. But we had a lot of fun and it’s not like how it is today where they have to lock the doors or anything like that. I mean it was just a more pleasant school."
Saffle talked about buying the school with her husband. She said she knew what she would do with every single room in that building. But with asbestos issues and parts of the building deteriorating, her husband opted against it.
Saffle said friends in a Facebook group have been sharing photos of the school and reminiscing on their time there. She said this made her think about how close knit Gomer elementary was. She called it a family oriented school. Even her own children went to school in Gomer.
"And when my kids were in school then, I would come over and help the art teacher here, Mrs. Snoke and it still felt warm, even when my kids went here. It’s sad to see the school coming down, but I know that everything has to change.
Crews working at the site said the entire building is expected to be demolished by the end of the week. Saffle said workers told her there would be a pile of bricks for people to collect as a keepsake.
