WINONA, Minn. – The proverbial wrecking ball has begun ripping the historic Junior High School auditorium on Fifth Street to rubble. What’s next? Parking for the new Main Square residential-commercial-school complex across the street. The 1,000-sea auditorium opened in 1928 to acclaim for its Art Deco touches by the leading St. Louis architect William Ittner. It was treasured as a community arts and entertainment venue. In 2004 the auditorium, although abandoned by then, was added to the National Register of Historic Places, along with the adjacent high school and middle school, for their significance in education.
Down with the old. After a 93-year presence on Fifth Street, contractor Schwab Construction is bringing down the Junior High School Auditorium. Image: Steve Lunde