I graduated in ‘76; was the last year it was a high school. Sr. Class President. The football field had more dirt than grass.😂 We had outstanding teachers and the students were the best. Thrilled it’s been converted into a senior living center!
I graduated from Lehman in 1970. It was a great school and I got a superior education there. Four of the best years of my life were spent there. I spent many a summer day playing baseball and football on that field when I was young. Glad to see that kids are still using the field. Great pep rallies and student plays in the auditorium.
I went to Lehman HS and graduated in 1973. It was huge. I loved the balcony that hung over and above the auditorium stage. I was an artist and attended Art class. Will never forget Mr. Ryman. My late Mother also went to this school in the 1950's. Loved this school. Such a shame to see it sitting there and rotting away. Lot's of good memories there. I fell down the steps once. Lol! Very embarrassing! Books flew everywhere! Skinned up my knees. Lol! :D ...... Loved the big white floors and hallways and all the steps to the floors. The entrances to both ends of the school were for students and teachers alike to enter the building. The doors down on the field led into a tunnel into the boys gym. Oh yes ... the field ... I ran track on that field! ... Back when I went there the neighborhood was nice. We had two places to hang out at during lunch outside of the school if we wanted to. One was The Polar Bear Club ... and the one down the road was Reeds. Geeks hung out at The Polar Bear ... and the greasers hung out at Reeds! Lol! :P .... I sure would love to see the inside again!
Cindy Hall I live across the street from football field and I graduated from Lehman in 1974. There are many people who have contributed to this building being left in such an appalling state. I can attest to the many problems that have plagued us since it was abandoned. As I watched the video I could not help but feel depressed with the perception that came from someone as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. These building can be used for a variety of purposes, you can see some examples on line through out the country. Truly if I hit the lottery or by some stretch of the imagination came into money I didn't know what to do with I would transform this into a useful asset once more. If you would like the rest of the story I have it and it is very long.
I guess I must have walked by your house hundreds of times in the late 90s, I had multiple friends that lived around the school. Has it gotten any better?
The famous New York Yankee catcher, Thurman Munson, attended Lehman HS in the 1960's. He played football on that field. A few Massillon versus Mckinley games were played on the field as well.
I graduated from Lehman in 1975. Wonderful school with great classmates. As a little kid, I lived one block northeast of the school on Auburn Place in a little house that was torn down long ago. I lived on 19th St until I graduated. The east and west doors as well as the doors on the south toward the football field were the main entrances. The auditorium on the north side had a main floor and a balcony. Below the auditorium was the gym. On the same floor as the gym was the cafeteria and the locker rooms. We used to use the tunnels to get to the field from the cafeteria. The concrete steps on the field used to extend to both ends. We pitched pennies there during lunch! The newer extension on the northwest side is where Mr. Gross taught biology on the second floor, (I think). He passed away a few years ago after decades as a teacher following a career as an Air Force pilot. A Great American. Somewhere near the west end of the hallway was the counselors' offices. Miss Richards was one of the counselors and she was just awesome. I assume she retired eventually from the system. As you walked in the front doors, you ran right into a display cabinet with the trophy from the 1970 basketball team when they won the state championship. It is sad to see the school in such a state however, I would like to get inside and look around. A number of years ago, one of my late classmates, Diane Talerico, became the superintendent of schools. I thought there may have been a chance at renovation during her time but I'm sure the cost is way to high either to fix her up or tear her down. "Lehman High, Lehman High, Alma Mater Dear...though far we roam, thy halls are home......" as the school song went.....
The video breaks my heart. This was once a beautiful school. My mom went to high school here & I went to junior high here in the mid 80's. There's not a lot of information out there about Lehman as a junior high (grades 7, 8 & 9). It made me smile when you asked about kids hanging out on the stairs & perch waiting for the bell to ring & school to start; yes we did. I googled Lehman once and found footage (haven't been able to find it again) of someone who broke into the school and filmed it. It is completely trashed! The auditorium as seats tore out. There's graffiti everywhere! It's sad. No one is taking care and purposely opening windows that's for sure! It's better for everyone who went here to hold on to their memories of how it once was. Thanks for sharing our school!
I'm late to the party here, I attended Lehman middle school from 1996 to 1999 and I can't believe it's still standing, after just being abandoned like that. I know they built a new Junior high years ago at a different location. I was a wrestler and have many fond memories of going to this school. All good things come to an end I suppose, at least pizza oven is still around. Go DAWGS!
I went to Lehman as a freshman and sophomore (75-76), but then had to go to the "new" McKinley High School that was built at the time. I always felt more connected to Lehman than I ever did to McKinley. Seemed like kids were just thrown together in a culture clash that was totally different than we were accustomed to. Sad to see the Lehman in such a forgotten state.
I attended there 50 years ago. I was told back then that the football stadium in the back was the oldest professional football stadium in the country (used by Canton Bulldogs with Jim Thorpe). There were two places kids would hang. First was Reed's which you pictured in the backround. The other was the PB (Polar Bear) across from the front on NE corner. I have many memories of LHS.....
I attended Lehman High School from 1966 through graduation in 1970. This building holds a lot of my most cherished memories. I was active in music and theatre, and had my first experiences on stage in that "auditorium", which was a fine old proscenium theatre. Those experiences, coming as they did during those turbulent years of social upheaval, shaped me in a lot of ways. I am now and have been for 45 years, a professional musician, and it was at Lehman that I first had the opportunity to perform for a serious audience. I met one of my dearest friends my senior year there, and although he is gone now, I can't look at this footage or any of the stills without thinking of him. It's true about Jim Thorpe and Thurman Munson, mentioned below. My history teacher, Mildred Winderl, always talked admiringly about Munson. She was a great teacher, and instilled in me a passion for history that has lasted my whole life. It's very sad to see our old school in this state, and since this was taken five years ago, I suppose there have been further changes I don't know about. Sweet and bitter.
Graduated from Lehman High School in 1969. The door on the west side was open to students. That is the door I went in every day. Sure miss all the great days at Lehman. Great teachers and such a building full of life. Breaks my heart to see it in such bad shape. I would love to be able to go inside. So sad that people can throw history down the tube, level buildings with no regards to our past. Thank you for the video.
I attended Lehman in the early 90’s…it was a Junior High School then. It wasn’t my choice but I had no choice because of where I lived. Back then you went to whatever school was closest to your home. The auditorium was unique. Loved the Polar Bear it was a nice hang out spot. I also tried out for Cheerleading for Timken Senior High School in the gym there and made the team. It’s a really HUGE school!
In the late 70's 80's and early 90's it was Lehman Jr. High school. In 1995 I attended this school as Lehman Middle School. At that time it had grades 6-8. The tunnels on the sides led to the gym and the lunch room. It was creepy even back then. Alot of great memories there though
Hi I attended Lehman junior high back in late 1980s I remember being bussed to school from Clarendon elementary school riding a RTA bus those were the best days thank you
I went there for junior high from 84-86, best three years of school. A lot of good memories, met the love of my life there. Then she broke my heart at McK, moving on, I remember all the friends and freshman football. Scored a touchdown on that field. Lehman was awesome!
Wow, this was a trip down memory lane! I graduated in '57 & I still keep up and get together with several friends from the old days. My favorite teacher was Miss Smith, the Journalism teacher - we actually published a paper (The Lehman Journal) monthly (I think). Yes, we went to the Polar Bear occasionally. It was a great 4 years.
My grandfather attended from 1955-58. His name was Charles Kohler- he also went by Butch. I never got to meet him unfortunately, but through recent family research I found his photos in the Lehman yearbooks. I wonder if you guys ever crossed paths!
I was in the last 8th Grade Class at the old Lehman building. Good and bad times at that school. Highlight at that school was that our 7th Grade basketball team went 17-0 and won the championship.
What a great video! Thanks for the memories. I attended Lehman from around 1982-1984 for 7th and 8th grades. It was a junior high at that time. I lived down around the corner down the hill on 14th toward Fulton. It was a pretty bad area then. My parents were recently divorced and we were on the poor side for a while at that time. I remember it being a tough period in our lives. Lots of fights... I got in more fights in those 2 years then anytime in my life combined. I remember using all 4 entrances before and after school but mostly the west side because that’s the side I lived on. Most kids hung out on the concrete bleachers until the first bell rang. There were staircases on either end of the school and I remember the 3rd floor just being like an oven in the spring and fall, no AC! Most students walked to school back then but those that took buses, they parked along the north side. My Aunt lived across the street and I remember her always complaining because nobody could get out or to their house during those times when the buses parked there. Everyone had “boom boxes” .. battery powered stereos. We used to sit on the bleachers and crank out the new Van Halen and AC/DC tapes after school. I kissed my first girlfriend Jennifer Savage on those bleachers. Overall I had good memories. I haven’t been back to Canton in over 10 years... haven’t seen this school in over 30 so this video was a real treat. Thanks!
Excellent video Nate!! Your videos are getting better and better. Love the abandoned places. Have you maybe thought about the old Hercules Engine Plant close downtown? Keep'em comin'
Sadly seems like you have 1940-50 pics and post devastation pics. Jim is right Lehman High School were Polar Bears and proud "Cake Eaters". During the 60's to its change to middle school/Jr High Lehman was known to focus more on academics and arts while Timken was a vocational high school and McKinley was athletics. The surrounding homes were beautiful single family homes proudly maintained by the families who owned and lived in them, sadly this is no longer true. The energy crisis of the late 70's thru 80's saw theses once elegant large homes cut up into multi family rental units, frequently cutting off the most beautiful features, stained and leaded glass windows and doors, porches and character to be replaced with cheap aluminum and vinyl windows and siding. I would gladly share my year book pics with you. There is a FB group of Lehman Alumni who I am sure can share the same. It sickens me to see my high school left as a rotting skeleton, when I close my eyes I see the marble floors, the grand stair ways, the front trophy walls, lunch or study hall on the front steps, the unique gym and auditorium
yeah I actually took those photos from old yearbooks available online, ranging from 1940 to I believe it was 71 or something. Tried to choose the best ones that had descriptive things in the background, and/or Lehman labeled clothing. I did check the alumni group on fb, as well as a few other groups, google, etc. I found the above linked album after the video was already finished. Of course the same thing happened with the Mellett Mall video, I scoured the net asking for photos, and it wasn't until after the video was posted that it garnered enough attention for lots of photos to be unearthed lol :)
In so many ways is good to see a building like this boarded up and secured to help protect what is left inside. It's a shame that a lot of these old historic buildings are in rough areas most likely due to the neighborhood this building will not be restored unfortunately, but you never know if it lasts another 10-15 years the neighborhood could change and it could be revitalized. On one of the corners of the building I believe I saw power lines I wonder if the power is still on in some ways so if people need to get inside they have some lighting. I always find it to be a shame that neighborhoods like this low income that need help specially when it comes to schools don't get the funding that they need but the more higher-end neighborhoods who don't necessarily need the money as much are getting funding.
Went Timken myself. It was 76 we were the last freshman class then. Lincoln and Lehman were turned into junior high schools. And I remember when they built the new McKinley by the HOF. The Timken Roundhouse was right down the road. We used to go in there because it was supposed to be haunted. We never saw anything.
I attended Lehman from 74-76 then went to McKinley. Good video to see but sad to see the decay. Glad that now it is getting new life as Sr. apartments.
My older siblings went to Lehman high-school back when kids who went there were nicknamed the cake-eaters. The nickname came from when mostly upper-class kids attended the school (although our family was far from upper-class). Hard to believe considering the condition that the neighborhood is in now. I went to Lehman back in 77 when it was converted from a high-school to a junior high-school. The Canton City school system was transitioning from K-8 grades-schools to K-6. Junior-high-schools would then be 7-9 with high-schools being 10-12. Since I was in the 8th grade when the transition started, I went to Lehman for just the 9th grade. I absolutely hated going to school there because the neighborhood was pretty rough back then too. And to be honest, the school felt like an an asylum as you described it. Kids did drugs and alcohol in the neighborhood. I never felt safe going to school there and dealt with quite a bit of bullying and intimidation there. To be honest I am surprised you could film this video without getting mugged or worse. When you said that you were going to shoot some video there I thought to myself, "that's not the only type of shooting that might occur there." Sort of sad to say that, but you can't deny the fact that it is a rough neighborhood. However, I hear things are turning around a bit. The school is supposedly undergoing some renovations to convert it into a senior-citizens facility. Maybe you can stop back there to film again to show the transformation of the place.
I went to Lehman in Middle School in 6th grade before I moved to the SW end of Canton ('97-98). When I was there, they actually had a concert by some local pop group that never really got famous. Can't remember their name. I remember, the front entrance led directly into a small lobby outside of the gym, and classes were on the 2nd and 3rd floors. And, if I remember correctly, even the second floor led directly into the auditorium, so we had to walk thru the auditorium to get to the hallway that led to the classrooms. I may be wrong though, as that was almost 20 years ago. On a side note, I once walked home from school and got chased from 12th street to about 5th street by some guys and a dog. I lived on 4th street in the house that burned down a few years ago.
The Auditorium entrance is what we used to go in. The parking lot to the left of the Auditorium entrance had "trailers" that connected to the school. They split each grade up into "communities" and the trailers had community 6-A, I believe. To the right, that entrance was for either 7th or 8th grade classes. I'm not really sure, because I only went there for 6th grade. If I'm not mistaken, though, it was 7th grade went in the left entrance, 6th in the middle, and 8th to the right.
I went there from 78-81 & it was a jr.high at the time grades 7-9. I can remember the roof being tarred & we was all evacuated when something caught fire. Sad to see what's happened to it
I went to Lincoln HS and was one year behind as I hated school and refused to participate in classes or do homework since the 6th grade. That's another story. I quit on May 3rd 1972 when I turned 18. I went to McKinley Tech that was where the old Wendy's is across from Trinity Gospel Temple for a 1500 hour course in auto mechanics. I drove a bus for Goodwill between 1988 and 2001 before they closed that department. We did charter service and I did take a busload of kids from Lehman once to (can't remember) maybe Geauga Lake park or the Cleveland Zoo. Lehman was a high school from the beginning but it did become maybe an elementary school as the the kids I took on the bus were somewhat young of age.
Thanks for letting us see our school again. I went there in the 50's. I went to the 8th grade and then later my junior and senior year. I graduated from Lehman in 1956. I remember walking to school every day from 9th St. NW. We would go to the (I think Polar Bear) in the mornings, have a coke and hang out. Then go sit on the cold cement bleacher seats till the bell rang. I think the Polar Bear was as you look at the school from the football side on the left side corner of the street that ran along the side of the football field. It was a group of pretty elite kids than that I didn't fit in with too well. My name was Peggy Rogers class of 1956.
Angie Gebhart which bowling alley is that? I don't think I was aware of one on Whipple that was closing down, the only when I comes to mind is the college bowl. But that's on 30th.
Jim Isom I heard something about 77 lanes closing I think. Country fair I think it's been close for sometime now already, but that would be awesome to get in there
The primary entrances were on the east and west sides of the building. The little platforms on the ends of the field once had statues on them. Initially a high school and later a junior high.
I attended Lehman in the 80's when it was a Jr. High School my sister attended it when it was high school. I had pretty decent time there. I used to play football there during the summer. I entered through the side of Arnold. As for the layout inside the basement was the lunch room and gym and locker rooms. 1st floor was the office in the center and classrooms on both sides. The Auditorium was on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The platform near the field was just fenced in when I attended. Parking was for teachers and guests only. Polar bears was the school mascot. The entrances were open to everyone. It was never an elementary school. The door that says auditorium also entered into the basketball court you would have to go up 1 flight of steps to enter auditorium. When my children attended there there were 2 mobile homes converted to classrooms i believe, which were on the Oxford side entrance. It's sad to see it now. There were talks about converting into an arts center or some kind of community center before it was vandalized by the homeless and teenagers. I lived in that neighborhood my entire youth and yes it is getting bad there do to poverty and joblessness. Hope this helps you.
My daddy went to school here. Played football on that field. He was their best player💚 later on I went to that school 86, 87 and 89. I met my best friend there and we are still best friends to this day. There's nothing creepy about that school.
At 10:01 are the entrances for the gymnasium and auditorium the rest is where we would enter. The front doors facing the football field was the main entrance were the office
they said that Lehman was built in 1920 and first closed in 1976 along with Lincoln High. For a time, it was used as a middle school, housing students until the new Lehman Middle School was built in 2004
Great video, and the photos while sad, are great to see the inside.. I chuckled at your comment about it looking like an asylum. I went to school there in the later 90's when it was a middle school. It has always looked, and I remember at times while going there, felt like a prison. Through the auditorium doors you entered in the gym, which went down into the ground a whole floor with seating leading the way down. Through the back side you entered the locker rooms, which then led out the tunnels to the football field under the steps. The auditorium sat above the gym if I remember correctly...so that chunk of the school that juts out went gym, with auditorium above it. The cafeteria was located in the basement, and was tiny. The rest of the floors had one long hallway that ran the whole length of the building with classrooms on each side. The doors on the two sides of the building were designated for 7th grade or 8th grade depending on the side, with the "gym doors" being for the 6th grade. The first floor was primarily your "selective classrooms"...art, sewing, etc. The doors by the football field led into the main office, directly across the balcony pathways above the gym. I would love to see them do something with the school, especially now that the HOF is being expanded. It would make a great hotel, or apartments and may rejuvenate the area. In Columbus they have done this with several old schools to much success. Here are links: www.barrettcolumbus.com/ and www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2015/11/historic-columbus-school-becoming-luxury.html and www.columbusunderground.com/renovation-of-bellows-school-underway-despite-i-7071-split-plans-bw1
I live a block and a half away from this building. I really wish something would be done with it. Unfortunately the cost to bring it up to code is higher then what it's worth. Only reason Canton has not torn this down is the cost to demolish is so high.
Used to live right across the street when it was still open. I can't believe they can't find anything to use That big building for. Sad to see it like this.
I went there in the 1990.. the inside of school used to be beautiful in the basement was a cafeteria.. I would love to be able to go inside there and see what it looks like now.. And about Molly Stark hospital I've been in there when it was open back in the 90s and I've been inside there since it's been closed and have pictures..
I went there in junior/high highschool, I was a cheerleader for football and basketball. We always entered into the south entrance. Nobody entered the place on the north side. I went there from 7th to 9th grade. probably about 1989 to 1991. I have photos and stuff. if your are interested.
I attended Lehman '84-'87, as did most of my family, and it was a great school. It's a shame the city allowed it to get into it's current state. They should have done the same as the old McKinley High School and convert it into something else, like a multi-office facility or something. What was the year of the yearbook used? At the 0:25 mark, in the middle-right of the screen, the Kneffler name is written in, and would like to figure out which family member it is.
my middle school for few months, I know once they shut the building down the police used it for training and now it just sits and rots due to it being unsafe inside
your welcome.i went to that school back in the 90's.out of all the school i went to Lehman is the only one that i liked.i know Oxford ave. runs along one side of it and Arnold ave. runs along the other side of it.
I was hoping you would of go inside, I myself was wondering how it looks inside... I ask why are these schools close and left to the ruins... thx for the sharing!
Where's the polar club across the street we use play pinball there and the owners were called Mr and Mrs. C , back In the early 70s Ha I beat Glenn on pinball wizard!
Awesome! Hey I would totally appreciate it if you would subscribe to my other channel "That Nate Guy On RUclips", that's where I do all my Canton videos now. Thanks!
I went to school it was a junior hs at the time- after Summit ele. in I believe 1982-only for part of the year-we moved shortly after canton was turning into a cesspool at the time.
![FNAF vs TF2 - Episode 2 [SFM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5b3V2-VLb0/mqdefault.jpg)
The great news is that it has been renovated and now is an apartment building for seniors ❤ looks great again
I went to Lehman for a year before I left Canton. At that time I probably lived on 9th street.. Crazy to see Canton today.
I graduated in ‘76; was the last year it was a high school. Sr. Class President. The football field had more dirt than grass.😂 We had outstanding teachers and the students were the best. Thrilled it’s been converted into a senior living center!
I graduated from Lehman in 1970. It was a great school and I got a superior education there. Four of the best years of my life were spent there. I spent many a summer day playing baseball and football on that field when I was young. Glad to see that kids are still using the field. Great pep rallies and student plays in the auditorium.
I went to Lehman HS and graduated in 1973. It was huge. I loved the balcony that hung over and above the auditorium stage. I was an artist and attended Art class. Will never forget Mr. Ryman. My late Mother also went to this school in the 1950's. Loved this school. Such a shame to see it sitting there and rotting away. Lot's of good memories there. I fell down the steps once. Lol! Very embarrassing! Books flew everywhere! Skinned up my knees. Lol! :D ...... Loved the big white floors and hallways and all the steps to the floors. The entrances to both ends of the school were for students and teachers alike to enter the building. The doors down on the field led into a tunnel into the boys gym. Oh yes ... the field ... I ran track on that field! ... Back when I went there the neighborhood was nice. We had two places to hang out at during lunch outside of the school if we wanted to. One was The Polar Bear Club ... and the one down the road was Reeds. Geeks hung out at The Polar Bear ... and the greasers hung out at Reeds! Lol! :P .... I sure would love to see the inside again!
Cindy Hall I live across the street from football field and I graduated from Lehman in 1974. There are many people who have contributed to this building being left in such an appalling state. I can attest to the many problems that have plagued us since it was abandoned. As I watched the video I could not help but feel depressed with the perception that came from someone as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. These building can be used for a variety of purposes, you can see some examples on line through out the country. Truly if I hit the lottery or by some stretch of the imagination came into money I didn't know what to do with I would transform this into a useful asset once more. If you would like the rest of the story I have it and it is very long.
cindy hall I would like to hear it
I guess I must have walked by your house hundreds of times in the late 90s, I had multiple friends that lived around the school. Has it gotten any better?
The famous New York Yankee catcher, Thurman Munson, attended Lehman HS in the 1960's. He played football on that field. A few Massillon versus Mckinley games were played on the field as well.
Thurm played his games at fawcett stadium but practiced here just for the record
Chris Spielman went there too before he went to Massillon
I graduated from Lehman in 1975. Wonderful school with great classmates. As a little kid, I lived one block northeast of the school on Auburn Place in a little house that was torn down long ago. I lived on 19th St until I graduated. The east and west doors as well as the doors on the south toward the football field were the main entrances. The auditorium on the north side had a main floor and a balcony. Below the auditorium was the gym. On the same floor as the gym was the cafeteria and the locker rooms. We used to use the tunnels to get to the field from the cafeteria. The concrete steps on the field used to extend to both ends. We pitched pennies there during lunch! The newer extension on the northwest side is where Mr. Gross taught biology on the second floor, (I think). He passed away a few years ago after decades as a teacher following a career as an Air Force pilot. A Great American. Somewhere near the west end of the hallway was the counselors' offices. Miss Richards was one of the counselors and she was just awesome. I assume she retired eventually from the system. As you walked in the front doors, you ran right into a display cabinet with the trophy from the 1970 basketball team when they won the state championship. It is sad to see the school in such a state however, I would like to get inside and look around. A number of years ago, one of my late classmates, Diane Talerico, became the superintendent of schools. I thought there may have been a chance at renovation during her time but I'm sure the cost is way to high either to fix her up or tear her down. "Lehman High, Lehman High, Alma Mater Dear...though far we roam, thy halls are home......" as the school song went.....
The video breaks my heart. This was once a beautiful school. My mom went to high school here & I went to junior high here in the mid 80's. There's not a lot of information out there about Lehman as a junior high (grades 7, 8 & 9). It made me smile when you asked about kids hanging out on the stairs & perch waiting for the bell to ring & school to start; yes we did. I googled Lehman once and found footage (haven't been able to find it again) of someone who broke into the school and filmed it. It is completely trashed! The auditorium as seats tore out. There's graffiti everywhere! It's sad. No one is taking care and purposely opening windows that's for sure! It's better for everyone who went here to hold on to their memories of how it once was. Thanks for sharing our school!
my dad went here too its so sad to see this broken school
I'm late to the party here, I attended Lehman middle school from 1996 to 1999 and I can't believe it's still standing, after just being abandoned like that. I know they built a new Junior high years ago at a different location. I was a wrestler and have many fond memories of going to this school. All good things come to an end I suppose, at least pizza oven is still around. Go DAWGS!
I went to Lehman as a freshman and sophomore (75-76), but then had to go to the "new" McKinley High School that was built at the time. I always felt more connected to Lehman than I ever did to McKinley. Seemed like kids were just thrown together in a culture clash that was totally different than we were accustomed to. Sad to see the Lehman in such a forgotten state.
Culture clash??
I attended there 50 years ago. I was told back then that the football stadium in the back was the oldest professional football stadium in the country (used by Canton Bulldogs with Jim Thorpe). There were two places kids would hang. First was Reed's which you pictured in the backround. The other was the PB (Polar Bear) across from the front on NE corner. I have many memories of LHS.....
I attended Lehman High School from 1966 through graduation in 1970. This building holds a lot of my most cherished memories. I was active in music and theatre, and had my first experiences on stage in that "auditorium", which was a fine old proscenium theatre. Those experiences, coming as they did during those turbulent years of social upheaval, shaped me in a lot of ways. I am now and have been for 45 years, a professional musician, and it was at Lehman that I first had the opportunity to perform for a serious audience. I met one of my dearest friends my senior year there, and although he is gone now, I can't look at this footage or any of the stills without thinking of him. It's true about Jim Thorpe and Thurman Munson, mentioned below. My history teacher, Mildred Winderl, always talked admiringly about Munson. She was a great teacher, and instilled in me a passion for history that has lasted my whole life. It's very sad to see our old school in this state, and since this was taken five years ago, I suppose there have been further changes I don't know about. Sweet and bitter.
Graduated from Lehman High School in 1969. The door on the west side was open to students. That is the door I went in every day. Sure miss all the great days at Lehman. Great teachers and such a building full of life. Breaks my heart to see it in such bad shape. I would love to be able to go inside. So sad that people can throw history down the tube, level buildings with no regards to our past. Thank you for the video.
I attended Lehman in the early 90’s…it was a Junior High School then. It wasn’t my choice but I had no choice because of where I lived. Back then you went to whatever school was closest to your home. The auditorium was unique. Loved the Polar Bear it was a nice hang out spot. I also tried out for Cheerleading for Timken Senior High School in the gym there and made the team. It’s a really HUGE school!
Good video man. It's cool how you explore these places in Ohio
In the late 70's 80's and early 90's it was Lehman Jr. High school. In 1995 I attended this school as Lehman Middle School. At that time it had grades 6-8. The tunnels on the sides led to the gym and the lunch room. It was creepy even back then. Alot of great memories there though
Hi I attended Lehman junior high back in late 1980s I remember being bussed to school from Clarendon elementary school riding a RTA bus those were the best days thank you
I went there for junior high from 84-86, best three years of school. A lot of good memories, met the love of my life there. Then she broke my heart at McK, moving on, I remember all the friends and freshman football. Scored a touchdown on that field. Lehman was awesome!
Those are the same years I went there. I was known as Kelly Crisp back then! We might know each other!
I meant 1982-1985
My freshman year '06 or '07 in high school we used the football field and locker rooms through the tunnels in the stands for our freshman team.
Wow, this was a trip down memory lane! I graduated in '57 & I still keep up and get together with several friends from the old days. My favorite teacher was Miss Smith, the Journalism teacher - we actually published a paper (The Lehman Journal) monthly (I think). Yes, we went to the Polar Bear occasionally. It was a great 4 years.
My grandfather attended from 1955-58. His name was Charles Kohler- he also went by Butch. I never got to meet him unfortunately, but through recent family research I found his photos in the Lehman yearbooks. I wonder if you guys ever crossed paths!
I was in the last 8th Grade Class at the old Lehman building. Good and bad times at that school. Highlight at that school was that our 7th Grade basketball team went 17-0 and won the championship.
Same here...
I loved this! I went there around 1999-2003... Your assumption were pretty spot on! Brought back so many memories
What a great video! Thanks for the memories.
I attended Lehman from around 1982-1984 for 7th and 8th grades. It was a junior high at that time. I lived down around the corner down the hill on 14th toward Fulton. It was a pretty bad area then. My parents were recently divorced and we were on the poor side for a while at that time. I remember it being a tough period in our lives. Lots of fights... I got in more fights in those 2 years then anytime in my life combined.
I remember using all 4 entrances before and after school but mostly the west side because that’s the side I lived on. Most kids hung out on the concrete bleachers until the first bell rang. There were staircases on either end of the school and I remember the 3rd floor just being like an oven in the spring and fall, no AC!
Most students walked to school back then but those that took buses, they parked along the north side. My Aunt lived across the street and I remember her always complaining because nobody could get out or to their house during those times when the buses parked there.
Everyone had “boom boxes” .. battery powered stereos. We used to sit on the bleachers and crank out the new Van Halen and AC/DC tapes after school. I kissed my first girlfriend Jennifer Savage on those bleachers. Overall I had good memories.
I haven’t been back to Canton in over 10 years... haven’t seen this school in over 30 so this video was a real treat. Thanks!
We might know each other, I went there from 82-85. My name was then Kelly Crisp
Excellent video Nate!! Your videos are getting better and better. Love the abandoned places. Have you maybe thought about the old Hercules Engine Plant close downtown? Keep'em comin'
Definitely have thought about that one :)
Sadly seems like you have 1940-50 pics and post devastation pics. Jim is right Lehman High School were Polar Bears and proud "Cake Eaters". During the 60's to its change to middle school/Jr High Lehman was known to focus more on academics and arts while Timken was a vocational high school and McKinley was athletics. The surrounding homes were beautiful single family homes proudly maintained by the families who owned and lived in them, sadly this is no longer true. The energy crisis of the late 70's thru 80's saw theses once elegant large homes cut up into multi family rental units, frequently cutting off the most beautiful features, stained and leaded glass windows and doors, porches and character to be replaced with cheap aluminum and vinyl windows and siding. I would gladly share my year book pics with you. There is a FB group of Lehman Alumni who I am sure can share the same. It sickens me to see my high school left as a rotting skeleton, when I close my eyes I see the marble floors, the grand stair ways, the front trophy walls, lunch or study hall on the front steps, the unique gym and auditorium
yeah I actually took those photos from old yearbooks available online, ranging from 1940 to I believe it was 71 or something. Tried to choose the best ones that had descriptive things in the background, and/or Lehman labeled clothing. I did check the alumni group on fb, as well as a few other groups, google, etc. I found the above linked album after the video was already finished. Of course the same thing happened with the Mellett Mall video, I scoured the net asking for photos, and it wasn't until after the video was posted that it garnered enough attention for lots of photos to be unearthed lol :)
In so many ways is good to see a building like this boarded up and secured to help protect what is left inside.
It's a shame that a lot of these old historic buildings are in rough areas most likely due to the neighborhood this building will not be restored unfortunately, but you never know if it lasts another 10-15 years the neighborhood could change and it could be revitalized.
On one of the corners of the building I believe I saw power lines I wonder if the power is still on in some ways so if people need to get inside they have some lighting.
I always find it to be a shame that neighborhoods like this low income that need help specially when it comes to schools don't get the funding that they need but the more higher-end neighborhoods who don't necessarily need the money as much are getting funding.
I like the mood of this video music is nice as well😀😉
Went Timken myself. It was 76 we were the last freshman class then.
Lincoln and Lehman were turned into junior high schools. And I remember when they built the new McKinley by the HOF. The Timken Roundhouse was right down the road. We used to go in there because it was supposed to be haunted. We never saw anything.
I attended Lehman from 74-76 then went to McKinley. Good video to see but sad to see the decay. Glad that now it is getting new life as Sr. apartments.
history and child hood memories for a lot of people.
My older siblings went to Lehman high-school back when kids who went there were nicknamed the cake-eaters. The nickname came from when mostly upper-class kids attended the school (although our family was far from upper-class). Hard to believe considering the condition that the neighborhood is in now. I went to Lehman back in 77 when it was converted from a high-school to a junior high-school. The Canton City school system was transitioning from K-8 grades-schools to K-6. Junior-high-schools would then be 7-9 with high-schools being 10-12. Since I was in the 8th grade when the transition started, I went to Lehman for just the 9th grade. I absolutely hated going to school there because the neighborhood was pretty rough back then too. And to be honest, the school felt like an an asylum as you described it. Kids did drugs and alcohol in the neighborhood. I never felt safe going to school there and dealt with quite a bit of bullying and intimidation there. To be honest I am surprised you could film this video without getting mugged or worse. When you said that you were going to shoot some video there I thought to myself, "that's not the only type of shooting that might occur there." Sort of sad to say that, but you can't deny the fact that it is a rough neighborhood. However, I hear things are turning around a bit. The school is supposedly undergoing some renovations to convert it into a senior-citizens facility. Maybe you can stop back there to film again to show the transformation of the place.
I grew up in canton and I still live in the canton area, I would advise you not to be there at night😂
I went to this school in 2000-2001 school year when I was in the 7th grade. A lot of memories inside that building.
I went to Lehman in Middle School in 6th grade before I moved to the SW end of Canton ('97-98). When I was there, they actually had a concert by some local pop group that never really got famous. Can't remember their name. I remember, the front entrance led directly into a small lobby outside of the gym, and classes were on the 2nd and 3rd floors. And, if I remember correctly, even the second floor led directly into the auditorium, so we had to walk thru the auditorium to get to the hallway that led to the classrooms. I may be wrong though, as that was almost 20 years ago. On a side note, I once walked home from school and got chased from 12th street to about 5th street by some guys and a dog. I lived on 4th street in the house that burned down a few years ago.
cantonphantom this one?
Yeah, it became a Middle School for a long time before it closed. 6th thru 8th grade. The new Lehman is up past Mercy Hospital.
The Auditorium entrance is what we used to go in. The parking lot to the left of the Auditorium entrance had "trailers" that connected to the school. They split each grade up into "communities" and the trailers had community 6-A, I believe. To the right, that entrance was for either 7th or 8th grade classes. I'm not really sure, because I only went there for 6th grade. If I'm not mistaken, though, it was 7th grade went in the left entrance, 6th in the middle, and 8th to the right.
I went there from 78-81 & it was a jr.high at the time grades 7-9. I can remember the roof being tarred & we was all evacuated when something caught fire. Sad to see what's happened to it
You definately need to revisit this building, It has really changed
I went to Lincoln HS and was one year behind as I hated school and refused to participate in classes or do homework since the 6th grade. That's another story. I quit on May 3rd 1972 when I turned 18. I went to McKinley Tech that was where the old Wendy's is across from Trinity Gospel Temple for a 1500 hour course in auto mechanics. I drove a bus for Goodwill between 1988 and 2001 before they closed that department. We did charter service and I did take a busload of kids from Lehman once to (can't remember) maybe Geauga Lake park or the Cleveland Zoo. Lehman was a high school from the beginning but it did become maybe an elementary school as the the kids I took on the bus were somewhat young of age.
Thanks for letting us see our school again. I went there in the 50's. I went to the 8th grade and then later my junior and senior year. I graduated from Lehman in 1956. I remember walking to school every day from 9th St. NW. We would go to the (I think Polar Bear) in the mornings, have a coke and hang out. Then go sit on the cold cement bleacher seats till the bell rang. I think the Polar Bear was as you look at the school from the football side on the left side corner of the street that ran along the side of the football field. It was a group of pretty elite kids than that I didn't fit in with too well. My name was Peggy Rogers class of 1956.
great job! are you going to do one on the bowling alley on Whipple b4 they tear it down. so sad a lot of memories going down the drain
Angie Gebhart which bowling alley is that? I don't think I was aware of one on Whipple that was closing down, the only when I comes to mind is the college bowl. But that's on 30th.
Jim Isom I heard something about 77 lanes closing I think. Country fair I think it's been close for sometime now already, but that would be awesome to get in there
Jim Isom I knew him we used to hang out back in them days knew him well
WoW!! Great video! Just think, in three years that school will be one hundred years old! Thank you!
great video! I just got into longboarding. would like to ask if you can do a review of your vivitar camera?
Extreme Storm sure I can do that 😊
The primary entrances were on the east and west sides of the building. The little platforms on the ends of the field once had statues on them. Initially a high school and later a junior high.
I attended Lehman in the 80's when it was a Jr. High School my sister attended it when it was high school. I had pretty decent time there. I used to play football there during the summer. I entered through the side of Arnold. As for the layout inside the basement was the lunch room and gym and locker rooms. 1st floor was the office in the center and classrooms on both sides. The Auditorium was on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The platform near the field was just fenced in when I attended. Parking was for teachers and guests only. Polar bears was the school mascot. The entrances were open to everyone. It was never an elementary school. The door that says auditorium also entered into the basketball court you would have to go up 1 flight of steps to enter auditorium. When my children attended there there were 2 mobile homes converted to classrooms i believe, which were on the Oxford side entrance. It's sad to see it now. There were talks about converting into an arts center or some kind of community center before it was vandalized by the homeless and teenagers. I lived in that neighborhood my entire youth and yes it is getting bad there do to poverty and joblessness. Hope this helps you.
I just wanna cry, so many memories in that school , all i wanna do is cry😪😪😪😪one of my best schools.
I loved this school!! 96-97 was my last year there my best memory was when I met the boy in smoker's alley that boy is now my husband ❤ #polarbears
My daddy went to school here. Played football on that field. He was their best player💚 later on I went to that school 86, 87 and 89. I met my best friend there and we are still best friends to this day. There's nothing creepy about that school.
"daddy" how old are you 12??
At 10:01 are the entrances for the gymnasium and auditorium the rest is where we would enter. The front doors facing the football field was the main entrance were the office
Update on Lehman is now being renovated condo's will be built on the football field. They started in November of 2020
they said that Lehman was built in 1920 and first closed in 1976 along with Lincoln High. For a time, it was used as a middle school, housing students until the new Lehman Middle School was built in 2004
Lehman High School was a great school for over 50 years and to see how it is today is sad...
That was a beautiful building inside I used to go to school there
I live in that area my thought has always been make the building into a homeless shelter
Great video, and the photos while sad, are great to see the inside.. I chuckled at your comment about it looking like an asylum. I went to school there in the later 90's when it was a middle school. It has always looked, and I remember at times while going there, felt like a prison. Through the auditorium doors you entered in the gym, which went down into the ground a whole floor with seating leading the way down. Through the back side you entered the locker rooms, which then led out the tunnels to the football field under the steps. The auditorium sat above the gym if I remember correctly...so that chunk of the school that juts out went gym, with auditorium above it. The cafeteria was located in the basement, and was tiny. The rest of the floors had one long hallway that ran the whole length of the building with classrooms on each side. The doors on the two sides of the building were designated for 7th grade or 8th grade depending on the side, with the "gym doors" being for the 6th grade. The first floor was primarily your "selective classrooms"...art, sewing, etc. The doors by the football field led into the main office, directly across the balcony pathways above the gym.
I would love to see them do something with the school, especially now that the HOF is being expanded. It would make a great hotel, or apartments and may rejuvenate the area. In Columbus they have done this with several old schools to much success. Here are links: www.barrettcolumbus.com/ and
www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2015/11/historic-columbus-school-becoming-luxury.html and www.columbusunderground.com/renovation-of-bellows-school-underway-despite-i-7071-split-plans-bw1
Josh Uminski awesome I will definitely check those out thank you
I went to Junior High School there. It was a great school then. I can tell you about Lehman Junior High. I spent my 7th, 8th and 9th grades there.
My husband attended Lehman in the mid 1960s.
Go to molly stark park next! Rly creepy
I remember Lehman I myself went to Crenshaw sad that when you look back how nothing in canton is the same.
My brother was on the football team there in the late 60's 💚
I live a block and a half away from this building. I really wish something would be done with it. Unfortunately the cost to bring it up to code is higher then what it's worth. Only reason Canton has not torn this down is the cost to demolish is so high.
Used to live right across the street when it was still open. I can't believe they can't find anything to use That big building for. Sad to see it like this.
I went there in the 1990.. the inside of school used to be beautiful in the basement was a cafeteria.. I would love to be able to go inside there and see what it looks like now..
And about Molly Stark hospital I've been in there when it was open back in the 90s and I've been inside there since it's been closed and have pictures..
sk8 master n8 will there be more ? and a golden board ???? plz
Jack Frazer lol yeah there will definitely be more, and I'll see what I can do about making a golden board lol 😊
It was a high school then was converted to a middle school, and i believe the place you mentioned about a building being was a electric shed.
I went there in junior/high highschool, I was a cheerleader for football and basketball. We always entered into the south entrance. Nobody entered the place on the north side. I went there from 7th to 9th grade. probably about 1989 to 1991. I have photos and stuff. if your are interested.
I attended Lehman '84-'87, as did most of my family, and it was a great school. It's a shame the city allowed it to get into it's current state. They should have done the same as the old McKinley High School and convert it into something else, like a multi-office facility or something. What was the year of the yearbook used? At the 0:25 mark, in the middle-right of the screen, the Kneffler name is written in, and would like to figure out which family member it is.
I live down the street from lehman😂 i used to play football in the field
I was just there yesterday playing🔥
my middle school for few months, I know once they shut the building down the police used it for training and now it just sits and rots due to it being unsafe inside
please explore more abandoned schools
The ramp you went down led to the lunchroom, and it's supposed to be a bomb shelter, there's one on each side
Where in Canton is this located? I lived in the area as a little girl, so I'm a little familiar with places in Canton, but not completely
14th st n.w.
Thank you
your welcome.i went to that school back in the 90's.out of all the school i went to Lehman is the only one that i liked.i know Oxford ave. runs along one side of it and Arnold ave. runs along the other side of it.
I have a vague memory of my mother saying she went here. Would have been around 59 - 63.
Sorry if a dumb question, but was this Glenwood High School in the 1970's?
Hi, no as far as I understand it's always been Lehman
No it wasn't. Glenwood was in Plain Township. I don't remember exactly when but Glenwood and Oakwood HS's combined to become GlenOak.
Visit the abandoned Reid hospatal next!
I went there when it was a jr high from 1982-1985
I was hoping you would of go inside, I myself was wondering how it looks inside... I ask why are these schools close and left to the ruins... thx for the sharing!
oh I know, I would have loved to go in! There's a link in the description to a photo album inside taken in 2013
Skatemaster thx , I didn't notice it before but I'm going in right now to check those pics.. this is like going into history..
Skatemaster thx, I just saw the pics, amazing!
Doris Rosa I went to middle school there lol
Damn I remember when that high school was opened in the 80s
i lived across the street when i was like 4 of 3? idk it is sad i wanna go back to the building i lived in on google maps and see it
I graduated from McKinley senior high school
Where's the polar club across the street we use play pinball there and the owners were called Mr and Mrs. C , back In the early 70s Ha I beat Glenn on pinball wizard!
I legit live up the hill from there lol all the local places u go to somebody in my family lives there 😀😀😂😂
when i went there in the 90's teacher would park on the side with the football field.
I live in canton and my freinds bus stop used to be there got they have a new lehman my freinds go there my mom went to the old lehman
Awesome! Hey I would totally appreciate it if you would subscribe to my other channel "That Nate Guy On RUclips", that's where I do all my Canton videos now. Thanks!
I went there for middle school
Why was the school closed? Does anyone know? I hate to see buildings like this just sit there and waste away.
Tammy Goulet they built a new building by McKinley High School.
Tammy Goulet Schrader o
I peed right there 😂😂
Hope you doing it,, been a week.
I didnt go to school there but you better be careful around there. People get beat up and robbed there. Watched my friends do it lol
Souers Jr High is the same way & then Timken Sr High
No wonder the school is closed. Hood enveloped the entire area. Typically depressing area of Canton.
And they're presently making it into a senior living center. Yeah I'd want that scenic overlook for my final days 🤦♂️
why did they shut down this school?
Bussing. The four city high schools were consolidated to two in 1975.
My mom said she went here when she was little we live next to it
It's not pronounced lee man? I had a good friend growing up by that name and that is the way he pronounced it.
what do you expect this idiot didnt go there or even take the time to learn what the school name was LEE MAN ..HA Ha
No, He pronounced it correctly, LAY-men.
This video is so weird to watch...my house is in it like 5 times...
lol that's so cool!!
first
I went to school it was a junior hs at the time- after Summit ele. in I believe 1982-only for part of the year-we moved shortly after canton was turning into a cesspool at the time.