WARREN, Ohio -

 In Warren, a long-awaited project is almost complete.

 

Crews have been working to restore the historic facade of Warren G. Harding High school.

 

This piece of history dating back almost 100 years ago, has significance to so many people who once walked the halls of Warren G. Harding High School.

 

 It was built in 1925 and needed some specialized structural work to look picture perfect once again.

 

If a picture says a thousand words, these pictures speak clearly and show the aging limestone was worse for wear after weathering the elements for 97 years.

 

Rainfall on the porch was leaking under the limestone causing its deterioration.

 

The facade on some sections was being propped up with boards.

 

"The grading was reversed on the porch. It was actually going back into the building. The Limestone was starting to be eaten away. There was no more sealant or anything between the limestones, and the pillars of the porch themselves were actually starting to pull away from the porch, because of the reverse of the grade," John Lacy, Director of Business Operations for Warren Schools.

 

A lot of excavation was done and careful shifting of existing pillars as you can see the big banister-looking things. that look like urns, those were actually hand carved, so they had to be carefully preserved crack that had to be filled to make sure the cracks wouldn't be any more damage," Lacy added.

 

The porch contractors had to reverse the grade and put new drainage in it. 

 

The handcrafted items made in the 1920s added layers of difficulty.

 

The structural and cosmetic repairs which began in July 2021 were not complete last winter but were delayed due to supply chain issues. 

 

The architectural limestone had to be mined and then sent by train. They are still waiting on enough silicone sealant. But the project is mostly done.

 

The facade of the school named after President Warren G. Harding from Ohio was saved from demolition in 2008 when a new school was built.

 

Miller-Yount Paving Inc. in Cortland is the company doing the restoration project.

 

The $120,000. dollar cost came from the Historic Respect Fund which was voted for and paid by residents.

 

The Business Operations department added some other touches by bringing some history from other treasured school buildings to the grounds around the facade.