The below photos of the Batavia Middle School building from the 1924 Batavian Yearbook/From the collection of Jim Owen/ Batavia High School/now Middle School-1923(left)-Union Free School (Former High School-1874-1922)-located where the current gym is today
Jim Owen, pictured below, was finally able to see the restored bells in person for the first time on Saturday December 10, 2022. He was instrumental in convincing Superintendent Jason Smith and the Batavia City School District to someday restore the two bells which had been in storage since 1922. Owen is battling cancer and was unable to attend Thursday’s Centennial Celebration.
The silver bell, dated 1873, previously hung from the former Batavia Union School (High School) at 96 Ross Street. The black bell was attached to the East Main Street School, which stood at East Main Street and North Spruce Street and was demolished in the mid 50s according to Jim Owen.
(Submitted photos below/December 10, 2022)
Link below to Batavia City Schools Centennial event at Batavia Middle School on December 8, 2022.
(File photos/BOCES-after restoration)
The below letter was written by Batavia High School Principal Howard Weber and printed in the 1924 Batavian Yearbook/From the collection of Jim Owen
