Stone Tower at Original CHS Campus
An effort is underway to preserve a historical community/school landmark – the Stone Tower at Third & Main Streets in Choctaw. Zeke and Nate Lay, father and son CHS alumni (1972 & 1998), have teamed with the Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA) and the CHS Class of 1974 to ensure the historical significance of the Stone Tower is documented and preserved for future generations.
Choctaw High School (CHS) facilities were located on the “hilltop” at Third & Main for 56 years (1918-1974.) This “original” CHS campus served as the inspiration for initial stanza of the CHS Alma Mater – “Standing firmly on the hilltop …” The 1961 CHS Student Council funded construction of the Stone Tower, a flower bed, and a sign at the campus entrance. It was completed in May 1961.
Following CHS Class of 1974 graduation, the CHS campus was relocated to its current site on NE 10th Street. Existing facilities at the “original” CHS campus site were then used by Choctaw Elementary and Middle Schools until their demolition/replacement in 2009-11 as part of the 2009 school bond-related construction. Today, the CE Warren Field House, the WPA-era building (old Shop & Industrial Arts), Cox Field, Bill Jensen Field, and the Stone Tower are the remaining structures from the “original” CHS Campus.
In 2023, the Lay family began research into the Stone Tower’s origin. With help from the CAA, the Stone Tower’s history was determined. Nate Lay then devised a plan to commemorate and preserve the Stone Tower’s historical significance – the design, purchase, and installation of two bronze plaques on the Stone Tower. One of the plaques has the CAA Logo at the top with the CHS Alma Mater below. The other plaque has pictures of the tower during and following its construction along with a brief history.
Nate presented his plan to the CAA Board at its 02/14/2024 Board Meeting. It aligned perfectly with one of the CAA’s core missional pillars – Preservation of the Past. The CAA Board voted unanimously to provide financial, publicity, and other support to this effort contingent upon coordination/approval from C-NP School District leadership (subsequently obtained.)
The approved bronze plaques were ordered and subsequently installed on 04/05/2024 by the Lay Family. A formal “ribbon cutting” ceremony is being planned in conjunction with the 2024 All Class Reunion (06/22/2024) sponsored by the CAA. Related efforts, including working with school district, community and state historical entities/officials, are also being pursued.
The Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA) is accepting tax-deductible donations in support of the Stone Tower Preservation Project. See the Donate/Pay Now section for instructions on donation methods – specify Stone Tower in the Memo/Comments if donating by check or use the provided Square Online Checkout link if donating by credit/debit card.
Click on the following links for pertinent pics: Stone Tower Photos – Then, Now, & Preservation Installation of Stone Tower Plaques.
For related information and/or questions, Contact Us or send an email inquiry to info@choctawalumni.org.
This is simply another example of CHS Alumni and YOUR CAA following their guiding/overarching PRINCIPLE of “GIVING BACK” to their schools and communities and thereby accomplishing great things in the process.
Once A Jacket, Always A Jacket.