Unearthed time capsules reveal interesting finds at Granite Park Junior High
Jul 02, 2020 01:05PM ● By Bill Hardesty
Contents from a 1992 time capsule when GPJHS was Central High School. (Courtesy of GPJHS)
By Bill Hardesty | [email protected]
This summer, Granite Park Junior High School (GPJHS) is getting a new student- friendly front entrance. While this is news, the real news is what was found during demolition.
When the backhoe was digging away to make way for the new front entry, the crew found two time capsules.
Guy Marlowe, retired GPJHS custodian, knew some were buried, but didn’t know where. The time capsules were a surprise.
The first capsule was buried in 1992. Inside were pictures, a yearbook, an attendance record for Gwenn Anderson and a Central High hat. This hat is a reminder of the interesting history of GPJHS.
In 1950, Central Junior High School was open, starting the move away from the Granite High School property. Granite Park Junior High School was opened in 1962 at 450 E. 3700 South (the current location of Lincoln Elementary).
Around 1999, Granite District started what could comically be described as a “musical schools tour.” By this time, Central Junior High School had become Central High School, which was an alternative high school. Central High (now known as Granite Connection High School) moved to the old location of Lincoln Elementary at 501 E. 3900 South. Lincoln Elementary moved to the original location of Granite Park Junior High. Granite Park Junior High was moved to the old Central High School location. However, the move required a complete internal renovation of the building.
Aaron Wilson, GPJHS principal, became remarkably familiar with the old yearbooks and scrapbooks for the school’s 90-year celebration last year. He never found any reference to a time capsule. The placement is a mystery.
The second time capsule is even more of a mystery. It was not properly sealed. The contents were “all mushy and gross.” However, GPJHS administration could determine two items: a Bible and a pack of cigarettes. You can imagine the interesting history behind this time capsule.
The administration is planning to place a new time capsule in the front entry.
“We are thinking of putting together a flash drive of some school videos, school shirts, programs from school events such as our school play and Veterans Day production... and a mask with a brief note about the pandemic this year,” Wilson said.
The 2020 time capsule will be buried this fall so that students can be involved.
