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(Des Moines – July 30, 1999) A
couple of days ago, I was contacted by a fellow Des Moines Technical High School Alumni
who posed the question, "Why is there a car parked on the Emblem?" While
overcoming my speechlessness from the shock, she then asked, "Did you know that there
is no trophies in the center trophy case?" I asked for details concerning this
matter, and she described a display arraignment of a Ford Model T parked above the School
Floor Emblem. I informed her that I would check out the facts on the following day. Knowing
that the summer time is used by the District to perform building maintenance and cleaning,
it was logical to assume that the items in the trophy case was moved to accommodate the
cleaning, Perhaps the space in front of the cases was being used to temporally store this
vintage automobile. Both these assumptions proved to be incorrect.
Upon visiting the second floor trophy cases the following day, I did indeed discover a
Ford Model T parked over the D.M. Tech Emblem nestled in between the pillars across from
the office. And true to her word, there was not a single trophy in the Jasper
"Jap" Farrow Display Case except the plaque mounted on the wall honoring the men
and women who served in the armed forces, that was given by the Class of 1966.
Surveying the scene before me, I wondered why the center display case was indeed empty.
I entered the office and spoke with one of the office workers, asking, "where are the
trophies that were in the center trophy case?" I was informed that they were moved,
and the trophy case was going to be torn out and moved down a hallway. It was at that
point that I asked to speak with Dr. Gary McClanahan, the Director of Central Campus.
During our first meeting, Dr. McClanahan and I discussed the plans they have to remove
the Jap Farrow Display Case. He explained their plans to dislodge and move the plaque
given by the Class of 1966 to a new location. He proceeded to spell out the scheme of
placing the Ford Model T behind the emblem where the soon to be dismantled trophy case
once existed.
It seems that there is a renewed interest in the "old Ford Motor Building" by
a local automobile club. This interest is evidenced by a plaque, which adorns the entryway
to District Administration offices. The Model T apparently was built in the Ford Assembly
line at 1800 Grand has been donated by Living History Farms of Urbandale, Iowa for
display. Although they had taken great efforts to move the vehicle into it’s current
location without damaging the Emblem, there still was oil spots on the Emblem from oil
dripping.
Concerning the building at 1800 Grand Avenue, it was pointed out that important as it
was locally for Ford to create a plant here, it’s production line was one of many
throughout the nation. To our knowledge no note worthy introductions to the Ford line were
developed or produced here. An article titled "Ford In Iowa" by Ronald A.
Stringer that appeared in the Automobile Club of America’s 1980 Central Division
National Spring Meet Program described the supporting numbers this way;
"During 1932, Ford had 45 (32 domestic and 13 foreign) assembly plants
producing cars. In December of 1932, the Des Moines plant ceased car assembly and became a
sales service branch. A 1943 letter from the Ford headquarters ordered the branch closed
and all operations were moved to Chicago."
We understand the automobile enthusiasts’ zest to acknowledge the good work and
craftsmanship that did originate from the Ford Motor Company Plant at 1800 Grand Avenue.
In fact, we would like to have an additional tribute that would feature the
accomplishments of Solar Aircraft. But we would like to remind the Administration that
there are many companies who have impacted Des Moines, but there has only been one Des
Moines Technical High School.
Dr. McCalnahan and I spent some time looking over options available,
including one to leave the trophy cases standing as is, and finding a more appropriate
display method for the vintage automobile. A second option that the Association purposed
several years ago was also discussed. Several additional possibilities do exist that could
better display the vehicle while increasing the actual informational content about the
Ford Plant elsewhere in the building.
L. Tovrea (T'70), President - The Blue And Gold Alumni
Assocaition |
"If Tech moves to North, the ghosts of "Give me a
"T" may mingle with the ghosts of the model T and aircraft parts."
Those words appeared in an April 24,1980 front page article in The Technician,
"‘Ghosts’ of Tech may be added to model T’s, aircraft parts"
by Scott Potter (T’81).
While written at a time when it was speculated that Des Moines Technical High School
would be relocated to the neighborhood high school facility, the haunting premonition
seems to be coming true in 1999 with respect to the trophy cases which house the mementos
and awards earned by D.M. Tech students.
We encourage you to make your feelings known about the
dismantling of the Jap Farrow Trophy Cases, the movement of the plaque commemorating the
men and women of the Vietnam War, as well as the placement of other Non-school related
items in an area that has served to display the accolades bestowed upon the deserving
students of Des Moines Technical High School. , (515)
242-7846, or by faxing your comments to (515) 242-7598. And we ask that you tell us
your wishes concerning this matter by e-mailing us at DMTechHS@TheIowa.Net
Unfortunately, this is not the first in the chronicles of events where Central Campus
administration has attempted to diminish the visual presence of Des Moines Technical High
School honors. (please see below) |
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It Tolls For Thee But for how long? The Tech High Victory Bell, given to the school by
the senior class back in 1954, now stands in the office of Central Campus. It has rung for
numerous individual and team efforts since it's presentation to the school until the day
the school was closed.
However, we heard an interesting story recanted in the
1992-93 school year. It seems that some enthusiastic students of Roosevelt High School
through some zealous celebration of a victory, broke their victory bell. Instead of fixing
the bell with those costs, we heard it was suggested by an unknown staff member that,
"Since Tech doesn't use their bell anymore, let's go get it." This suggestion
was relayed to several instructors within the District who had worked at Des Moines Tech.
They advised it would be inappropriate to do so at this time because of the involvement by
The Blue And Gold Alumni Association in it's efforts to maintain the mementos and history
of the school.
It is with guarded optimism that through the efforts of The
Blue And Gold Alumni Association, it's members, and the concerns expressed by individual
Alumni, we will be able to protect and preserve the last remaining articles of what was
once Des Moines Technical High School.
(reprinted
from Engineering Times, Vol 2, Num 2, Winter 1993-94) |
Artist Concept for Memorial Case
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Just A Matter Of PrideAs you walk down the
hallway of the school, there in the trophy cases stands the tangible evidence of
accomplishments from bygone years. Displayed for all to see, the trophies stand proudly
showing the result of planning, hard work, and commitment of those who endeavored to win.
How many times have we walked by those precious trophies on
the way to class? Each year, several more well deserved honors would find their way to the
glass cases. We thought they would stand forever as testimony to the stellar performances
of the Tech Alumni.
Now that Tech High has been closed as an independent high
school, those expectations are almost but a memory. But still, there in the trophy cases
are the remaining tokens of history. The last undisturbed portal to the memories of what
was Des Moines Technical High School.
In 1990, when we first visited the school since Tech's
closure, we were amazed at how many awards and honors were missing from the cases. The
general condition of the cases could only be described as poor. And dozens of remaining
awards were damaged. One case contained scores of wall plaques and framed commendations
that were arranged like books on a library shelf so no one could possibly see the praises
of the award.
We later discovered that numerous accolades presented to
the students and teams, had been removed from the school - given to Coaches, Sponsors, and
Instructors after the school had been closed in 1986. One can only speculate on the number
of awards that were acquired for various activities and never returned to their rightful
place after usage, not to mention the kudos which were just thrown away because of their
deplorable condition from lack of care.
In that next year, we decided that we would offer our
support and help to maintain the cases and the remaining trophies.
But, in 1992, one of the precious trophy cases was lost to
the programs of Central Campus, against the wishes and objections of The Blue And Gold
Alumni Association. In September of that year, a delegation of Alumni met with Central
Campus Officials for introductions, and to offer The Blue And Gold Alumni Association's
support for Technical / Vocational Education.
Conversation led to the poor attention given to the
trophies. The Alumni advanced the offer to clean the trophies, and to care for the cases.
Acting on information given to the Association about a possible plan to remove the
trophies from the cases so that Central Campus could utilize them for their own program
promotion, the Alumni requested that nothing be done with the cases during this the 50th
Anniversary Year of Tech's opening. In conclusion of that meeting, assurances were given
to members of the delegation that nothing would change at least for that year, being the
Golden Anniversary Year of opening of Des Moines Technical High School.
To the surprise of the crew arriving to clean the trophies
and their cases just 10 days later, we discovered one of the cases were empty with no
evidence of the displaced trophies and awards. In a related matter, contrary to assurances
given, a hallway with trophy cases in it was locked with no access to the public.
Eventually the displaced trophies were located and placed in this hallway case, however
the hallway remains locked with no public access to this day.
We feel that Tech High should be remembered by the District
for it's considerable contribution to technical / vocational education in Des Moines. To
this end, we propose the establishment of a Memorial Case to enshrine all Des Moines
Technical High School honors, and related materials. This single measure would deposit all
Tech High items in one area, adjacent to and in front of the main trophy case, allowing
all other display cases in the building to be used for whatever promotional purposes
Central Campus deems necessary. To this end, it is our view that the main trophy case on
second floor across from the Central Campus Office should be used for this purpose.
This area unlike any other throughout the building should
be maintained as a permanent memorial to the teachers, staff, parents and the Tech High
Alumni. This areas possess the school's floor emblem given by the Class of 1964. Behind
this emblem, there is mounted within the Jap Farrow Trophy Case a wall memorial plaque to
all service men and women given by the Class of 1966. Additionally the E. C. Betz memorial
plaque given by the Class of 1969 is mounted here. And the Tech High Victory Bell was
stored in this area up through the 1991 - 1992 school year (see Victory Bell story
elsewhere in this newsletter) . With over 302,000 square feet of floor space, we feel this
12 by 45 foot area is a fitting tribute to the "Era Of Excellence" that was Des
Moines Technical High School.
For it's part, The Blue And Gold Alumni Association has
offered to design, plus assist in the construction and maintenance of this display case.
We would continue to care for the awards, and the Jap Farrow Trophy Case. The Association
would also design "living" exhibits depicting historical events and experiences
of Des Moines Tech that would be managed by The Association. We would catalog the
remaining trophies and awards. We have determined a preliminary cost estimate of Five
Thousand dollars for the project. The Association would fund raise to make up the
difference of project expenses and what funds are available by the District for this
project's completion.
(reprinted
from Engineering Times, Vol 2, Num 2, Winter 1993-94) |
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