The former Cheltenham High School and Ogontz Junior High building was demolished on July 3, 1995 after 90 years of existence.

According to a 1995 article by The Philadelphia Inquirer, years of devastation from vandalism and arson were the motivating factors behind the decision to demolish the buildings. The building served as a high school until the early 1960s and then became a middle school until a 1994 fire affected a six-foot chain-link fence around the premises.

Cheltenham Township acquired the remains of the four-story structure and surrounding 11-acre property for $1.1 million under the Montgomery County’s Open Space Initiative.

The Township leveled the property and landscaped the 11 acres into Ogontz Park, also referred to as High School Park.

High School Park today, courtesy of Friends of High School Park

Cheltenham High School history:

Cheltenham High School was established in 1884 and is one of the oldest public high schools in Pennsylvania. The first location was on Ashbourne Road, and at the time of its closing in 1953, it was considered the oldest public school site in continuous use. 

The next building was at High School Road and Montgomery Avenue in Elkins Park. 

The current Cheltenham High School’s approximately 47 acres are located at 500 Rices Mill Road in Wyncote and was built in 1959.

Photos courtesy of the Cheltenham High School Class of 1965

For more information about the District’s former and current buildings, you can click here. You can also watch this Youtube video of Wyncote Elementary School’s demolition on April 2, 2014:

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Introductory information provided by Chuck Langerman, local historian