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Alumni Association Loses "Castle on the Hill"

Over the weekend it was an end of a 128-year era for graduates of “The Castle on the Hill”.  The Castle on the Hill Association no longer resides in the building where members once roamed the halls as high schoolers. 

Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer shows us the legacy still living in those who attended Sioux City’s Central High.

“When you were a senior you were a cheerleader?  Yes, in 1960.”  

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DEBRA KUNZE, JOAN DODDS AND LAVON FERGUSON

Debra Kunze and Joan Dodds, are two of the four Ferguson sisters, who attended Central High back in the day.

“I was a football cheerleader.  That infamous C jump everyone had to do.”

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THE "C" JUMP

They search through memorabilia and memories.

as their mother, LaVon, looks on.

“Well, I graduated in 1941, that’s been quite a long time ago.  It’s so sad that’s it’s all closing you know the whole thing.  I think the building is still pretty impressive.  I think.  Not so much inside.”    

“So, I was in the last graduating class of 1972, so I was glad I had a chance to finish it out here,” said Debra Kunze.

Debra finds a year book from that last year of a school that first opened in 1892.

“It’s from people you haven’t thought of forever.  In two years, it will be 50 years.  Oh, my God. Oh, my God.   You don’t feel that old, but I am 65.”  

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FRANK CONKEY
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“I’m Frank Conkey, I graduated here in 1963.  I met my wife here. She was a junior and I was a senior.” 

Frank is a long-time volunteer of the Castle of the Hill Association.  His wife, who passed away four-years ago even served as president of the group. 

FEBRUARY 2020
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SIGNATURES OF FRANK CONKEY AND HIS WIFE ON STAGE OF THE CENTRAL HIGH AUDITORIUM

“It was called the “Dump on Hump”.  I don’t like those names, so I’m not going to tell you those names!”    

“We have quite a following as far as classmates, but as you can see our classmates aren’t getting any younger and we’re just going the other way, instead of new blood coming our way.”

The alumni group took possession of the building in the 1970s before selling it to a developer more than 15-years ago for a dollar in exchange for a long-time lease.  

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"CASTLE ON THE HILL" GIFT SHOP
FRANK CONKEY GIVES A TOUR OF THE OLD AUDITORIUM

During that time the group operated an office, gift shop, took care of the old gymnasium.

“This is the dungeon.”

“They used this prior to building the annex in the early 1950s.” 

And, utilized a renovated auditorium…

“Let me turn some lights on so we can really see it.”

…illuminated by Frank who after graduation, spent time in the Navy before becoming an electrician.

“We could accommodate 980 people on the first floor.”

“We have had it packed with different events in here.”  

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CENTRAL HIGH AUDITORIUM

“It’s really a nice venue for bands and so-forth to come in here.” 

One, of Frank’s kids even got married here.  And, Frank who volunteered his time and skills to the school’s legacy doesn’t want to dwell on the inevitable as he says the owner of the building doesn’t want the alumni association here anymore. 

“It’s too bad we can’t continue to use.  We’ll have to see what the building management wants to do with it.  Maybe, put apartments in here.”

“I realize money is money to them.  I’m sure they are doing what they think is right.  We’re upset with it.  Maybe, it’s time for us to leave the castle.  Who know?”

“We have been here for 15 years and really took care of our spaces. I’m sure it won’t be the same.”

As things change for the “Castle on the Hill”,  history resurfaces for LaVon Ferguson, a former high schooler now 96.

“It was just a fun time them.  I see one of the sweatshirts has the school song on the back. One of the classmates wrote that back then.”  

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Others shopping for their past pause for one final fight song with LaVon and her daughters.

A representative for the owner of the old Central High School near 13th and Jackson says he is looking for a new owner for the apartment building.  The owner gave the alumni association until the end of February leave.  Some of Central’s artifacts are expected to end up at the Sioux City Public Museum.

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