Local actor Jim Cooke portrays President Coolidge to draw attention to the Central School in Superior, Wisc. The bust of James Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railway, has already been removed from the site. (Alisa Persons)

UPDATE: Demolition recently began on the Central School.

Dear Preservation 911,

I am writing in regard to the efforts of saving an endangered landmark with national significance which is scheduled for demolition—according to local media sources—could happen very soon.

Superior, Wisconsin's Central School, which briefly served as the "Summer White House" during the Coolidge administration in 1928 is an irreplaceable tie to the nation's history as well as the proud heritage of Superior and Douglas County, Wisc. Currently, concerned citizens and members of the Douglas County Historical Society, the historic preservation committee commissioned by the city, are desperately attempting to stay destruction of this landmark.

Nevertheless, members of local government seem to regard the building as, at best, an inconvenience to further development. Although the school was just recently vacated, according to our local newspaper, in mid-November the school board members took formal action, emphatically and unanimously awarding the contract for the demolition of Central Junior High in a Nov. 10 meeting.

Just five days later, the city allowed the building to be stripped of much of its antique furniture, fixtures and woodwork.

Although no new construction will begin until next year, local officials have decided not to allow the Douglas County Historical Society sufficient time to follow the National Trust's recommendations of forming a non-profit organization to raise funds and request financial assistance from the appropriate parties—opting instead to spend a substantial sum to demolish and replace an already workable structure.

Those who are interested in saving this significant state and national site may visit www.savecentralwhitehouse.org for contact information of local governmental officials and/or www.douglashistory.org.

Thank you,

Alisa Persons
Superior, Wisc.

E-mail the writer with advice, comments, or commiseration.