By DAVID GREEN 

A small town the size of Lyons has few major landmarks to give it a distinctive appearance, to help residents and visitors know “This is Lyons.” One of those landmarks will soon fall and the landscape of the town will change forever.

When the old school is demolished in the next few weeks, a piece of Lyons history goes with it. Four generations of students earned diplomas in the imposing brick structure and a couple additional generations received their educational foundation in the adjoining elementary school wing.

Thinking about the impending demolition brings back the situation in Morenci a few years ago when the former middle school and gymnasium were scheduled for destruction.

People talked about how valuable Stair Gymnasium could be for community recreation purposes. Suggestions were made to save the classrooms to serve as a community center. The problem, of course, was finances. Heat, electricity, maintenance, insurance—there was no revenue available to cover those costs.

That’s the case in Lyons, also. The old gym would be a wonderful place for kids to play and the elementary school rooms would be great for meetings and projects. But there’s no money available to support those uses and those buildings, too, must fall.

Driving into Lyons from the west, the grain elevator equipment is the first thing to catch the eye and soon the grand old school comes into view. That will soon be gone, but it’s an inevitable change.

Next in line is Fayette where a decision will be made about their old school when the new structure is complete.