Demolition begins on tornado-torn Joplin schools

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Demolition has begun on one of several Joplin schools destroyed by the May 22 tornado, bringing a chapter of the city's history to a close.

The Joplin Globe reported work started Friday at Irving Elementary School, constructed in 1927, which will be rebuilt on land where St. John's Regional Medical Center sat before the deadly storm destroyed it.

Demolition of Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center is scheduled to begin in upcoming weeks. The start dates will depend on items being salvaged from the sites, and their historical importance.

Other buildings to be demolished are the Old South Middle School, Emerson Elementary and the former East Middle School.

The Joplin School District has been around since 1872, one year before the city of Joplin was officially incorporated.