Story Published:
Jul 3, 2009 at 2:45 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 3, 2009 at 2:45 PM CST
SPRINGFIELD -- The last remnant of the original Evangel College from its opening in 1955 met with a bulldozer on Friday. The university tore down the final piece of what were hundreds of wooden barracks that compromised the O'Reilly Army Hospital complex.
Where USO shows had entertained wounded and recovering troops during and after World War 2, Evangel converted it into its Music Department and classrooms.
About 35 years ago, Evangel University started transforming the campus into modern, brick and mortar buildings. Hundreds of wooden barracks that became classrooms, offices and dormitories were reduced to just one. Now there are none.
Before Evangel bulldozed that final barracks, graduates and staff numbers salvaged a few keepsakes as they have before other old buildings were removed.
Nearly all of Evangel's other barracks were dis-assembled over the years by Amish builders, who prized the high grade and well preserved lumber that's no longer available.
A new library will eventually be built on the site demolished on Friday. Evangel is raising money for the library.
