State Building Commission May Tear Down Original York Institute

One of Tennessee’s most historically significant high schools may be leveled following a decision today by the State Building Commission.

The York Institute in Jamestown has been overlooked by the state education department for decades when it comes to maintenance and repairs. It’s one of a small handful of high schools run by the state. An engineering report 20 years ago signaled the building could no longer be used. Another report in recent months warns the building could collapse at any time, endangering students who use newer classrooms a stones-throw away.

The crumbling, red-brick building was funded by World War I hero Alvin C. York. He left for France with a third-grade education and used his fame to promote learning in Fentress County.

Tennessee Tech history professor Michael Birdwell is the archivist of York’s papers. He says state officials are considering putting a monument on the site once the school is gone.

“York’s grand daughter, Angie York, said that building is the monument and I think she’s exactly right. And I think we should do everything in our power to preserve a significant piece of 20th century American history.”

Birdwell says the building is not only historically significant but also architecturally. York traveled the country to get design ideas before building the structure in 1926.

An executive committee of the State Building Commission has a scheduled vote today approving half-a-million dollars to tear down what’s become an ‘attractive nuisance.’ Engineers estimate it would take 3.7-million dollars to rehab the school. But state education officials say there’s not enough time to raise that kind of money before the building falls down.

A perimeter has been set up around the York Institute to keep students from walking too close to the building. A wing of the new building on campus has been evacuated in fear the a collapse could come at any time and send debris flying.