Demolition ceremony held to pave the way for redevelopment of Camden’s Eastside High School.

Camden, NJ – The Camden School District held a poignant ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the final days of Eastside High School, a historic building that has stood since its construction in 1930. As demolition plans are set to unfold in the coming months, the school, once a reflection of the area’s educational legacy, will soon be replaced by a modern facility on the same Federal Street site. The ambitious 5 million initiative is projected to span approximately five years.

Gathering a small crowd that included city officials, educators, and alumni, the ceremony featured the symbolic removal of a section of the building’s facade by a demolition crew. Local Mayor Victor Carstarphen emphasized the significance of the event, viewing it as a milestone for the city’s educational efforts.

During the ceremony, rising senior Elijah Vargas unveiled a time capsule buried when the school was initially constructed. Vargas presented the crowd with weathered relics, including a newspaper from March 21, 1929, and an old nickel, reflecting a connection to the past that resonated deeply with attendees. The contents of the time capsule will be preserved by the Camden County Historical Society, mirroring a similar effort in 2018 when a 102-year-old capsule was found at the former Camden High construction site.

Eastside High, which currently serves approximately 486 students in grades nine through twelve, has undergone significant changes since it originally opened as Woodrow Wilson Junior High in 1930. It transitioned into a high school in 1933, evolving into the city’s only stand-alone traditional public high school. In 2022, the institution was renamed Eastside High School due to the controversial legacy of its namesake, a former president known for his segregationist policies.

Despite its historical value, Eastside High has increasingly faced issues of disrepair and declining enrollment. Initial plans for a million refurbishment were deemed insufficient, prompting the decision to construct a new building entirely. The Eastside demolition is slated to take several months, after which design work will begin for a state-of-the-art school, featuring approximately 203,000 square feet, equipped with advanced facilities including computer labs, automotive training spaces, and dedicated special education classrooms.

The project is supported by New Jersey’s School Development Authority, which addresses pressing facility deficiencies across the state. District spokespersons confirm that, despite recent educational challenges, Eastside remains a crucial institution, offering unique programs not available at Camden High.

This transition is not without its critics. Some community members have expressed disappointment over the decision to demolish Eastside High, arguing that the historical significance of the building warranted preservation. The new school, anticipated to open in fall 2029, will accommodate around 750 students, representing a commitment to the future of education in Camden.

As Camden continues to rebuild its school infrastructure, the legacy of Eastside High will be preserved through its students, alumni, and community members who cherish the memories made within its walls.