Abandoned Places - Westside Jr. High Little Rock

[burntvalve86]

how long has it been closed for? Why did it close? what a shame to see it rotting away

[LDDavis911]

Nicely done. Think of all the stories those silent walls witnessed over the decades. The laughter and the tears. The happiness and the sorrow. Junior high kids can be drama queens and I'm sure those walls witnessed that too. Great set fraggenaught.

[fraggenaught]

@LDDavis911 Thanks so much. That comment reminds me of a quote from my favorite TV show.

"I believe that when we leave a place a part of it goes with us and part of us remains. Go anywhere in these halls, when it is quiet and just listen. After a while you will hear the echoes of all of our conversations, every thought and word we've exchanged. Long after we are gone, our voices will linger in these walls for as long as this place remains..."

[HistoricDepths]

GREAT VIDEO! :)

[fraggenaught]

@HistoricDepths Being that this is my first video ever I appreciate that a lot. Thanks. Let me return the favor. I scoped out your channel and all I gotta say is WAY COOL!

[HistoricDepths]

@fraggenaught

many thanks! hope you will be doing more videos like this!

cool up the good work ! :)

[upperblue79]

That building underwent a $5 million restoration and renovation into 43 multifamily loft apartments in the main building and clinic, office and support staff space for more than 40 physicians, staff and technical support personnel for The University of Arkansas for Medical Science’s Department of Pediatrics in the auditorium/cafeteria.

vanadis3.com/westsidelofts.asp­x

vanadis3.com/westsidecampus.as­px

[fraggenaught]

@upperblue79 Thanks for the update. I was mistaken about the school district using the place. I'm glad to see someone made some use of it.

[daadeeoh]

What a wicked building, I could spend hours exploring the nooks and crannies of that place! Thanks for sharing.

[fraggenaught]

@daadeeoh I'm honored you scoped out the vid. I've been subscribed to you for a while now and always admired your work. This is one of my earliest explorations. This building has since been renovated but we had a great time exploring it back then. Notice, BTW, the gymnasium. That and the auditorium are on the second floor of this building, a very unusual architectural feature for this area. Thanks again for stopping by to check it out.

[Dmactds2]

@fraggenaught

WOW!!! The changes 54 years bring, both in the condition of that building and of my memory; I graduated there in '57 and began Central the following school year, Fall of '57, which was the integration period. I attended friday night dances in the gym with the wide stairs on one side. There was a 'stage' area on the other side but is unseen in the video. However, from the front entrance on Marshall St., I recall the gym being on the 1st floor up a few steps inside.

[fraggenaught]

@Dmactds2 Interesting you bring up the personal connection. My sister was a basketball player and she graduated in 72. When I was a kid we used to follow her around the state for roundball tournaments and one of the places we went was this very gym. I had no idea it was the same place until we went into the gym there. Yes you're correct about the stage being opposite the stands there. I tried to get a pic of it but from the angle I was I couldn't get it into the frame. Too unsure about the floor

[edisonphonographfan]

bueatiful building do you have any info on what happened to it?

[fraggenaught]

@edisonphonographfan The city began a $5-million dollar renovation project there the following year after we made this expedition. The project was completed in 2003. Far as I know the LR School District is using the facility again but I haven't been down in that part of town since at least 05 so can't say for certain.