A Facebook group started in late June that quickly attracted 448 members registering protests and seeking information about this summer’s destruction and removal of the iconic concrete monument topped by an iron anchor in the courtyard of Dana Middle School finally got an official answer today, Tuesday, Aug. 14, from School Board President Joann Steinmeier.
Artist rendering of renovated courtyard at Dana Middle School
In a letter from Steinmeier to Rory Bennett, the primary leader of the campaign who posted the letter on the Facebook Group she started — Friends of the Dana Middle School Anchor (Arcadia, CA) — Steinmeier said the anchor (impedes) the flow of student traffic on the newly reconfigured campus (artist rendering at right – click here for photos taken Friday, Aug. 17, of many of the improvements throughout the campus). Dana is the second of all three middle schools to undergo a major face-life as part of the quarter-billion dollar Measure I bond issue.
Photo from Friends of Dana Anchor Facebook group
Steinmeier said the anchor itself, which sat atop the monument, has been preserved and will be showcased in a fenced area in a slightly upright position in a new, smaller courtyard outside of the new library facing First Avenue closer to the completion of overall construction. That is, pending board approval of the $25,000 cost to do so.
Commenters to Steinmeier’s letter on Facebook seemed only partially mollified, suggesting that the $25,000 expenditure is excessive and would not have been necessary if the monument had not been destroyed in the first place. Many feel it could have easily and respectfully been incorporated into the new courtyard design.
“Like you, we believe this to be an important symbol for the students of Dana now as in the past,” Steinmeier wrote.
When word and photos of the demolition of the monument emerged in mid-June, Bennett — a Dana Junior High cheerleader in 1972-73 and 1976 recipient of an Arcadia Alumni Association Scholarship – and dozens of others expressed a sense of loss as well as anger and frustration that alumni and others with an emotional stake in memories of the monument had not been alerted or consulted and that no information about the fate of the fixture was made available upon requests in July. Dozens of personal and yearbook photos dating back for decades were posted of students and groups posing in, on, and around the monument.
Steinmeier’s letter was in response to Bennett’s letter summarizing the concerns expressed in the Facebook group over the loss of the half-century-old monument that represented what is described as a symbol of school pride not unlike USC’s Tommy Trojan or the UCLA Bruin. In addition to a favorite spot for photo ops, it also provided a physical incarnation of the rite of passage for upper class Dana Mariner students who, according to tradition, earned the right to sit on the monument during lunch break. The monument and the tradition provided a source of pride and confidence. “Friendships were forged on it, school dances were staged around it and first kisses were shared on it,” Bennett wrote.
– By Scott Hettrick
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Thank you, Scott Hettrick, for calling attention to an Arcadia travesty. I will never, ever consider the Dana Anchor an “impediment” in my life. Quite the contrary, it remains an iconic symbol of pride, respect and perseverance. And while the current Arcadia school officials undoubtedly look forward to congratulating themselves on the Dana renovations, they will forever go down in my history book as the ones who demolished our beloved Anchor.
I have been an AHS Alumni Association Volunteer for eleven years, and in that time there has never been an issue that has evoked such passion, as the Dana Anchor destruction. I stand by our AHS Alumni Association motto- “Building the future, honoring the past.” The removal of the Dana Anchor is not teaching students the importance of history and tradition. I know we are being looked at by some, as outsiders no longer a part of the community, but we do have great relations with AHS. I respectfully disagree with the destruction of the Dana anchor, and feel it’s important the students and staff of Dana understand the importance of this issue.
It is unfortunate that the anchor has been destroyed. The Dana anchor has been the center of many activities and in the center of many Mariners’ hearts. Dana first lost its oak tree, and now its anchor, but they will both remain fondly in our memories.
In the Dana Student Handbook the history of Dana states; “our central quad area features an Anchor, similar to the one used on the Pilgrim, a ship made famous by Richard Henry Dana”.
Throughout the years the Anchor remained a symbol of pride and tradition, only to be mowed down in the name of “progress”. It’s shameful that destruction of such a beautiful monument, will go down in history as a pile of rumble. Shame on the school board.
Having been following this issue for some time I believe people are missing several points here:
1. The anchor is not being destroyed. The picture of the broken concrete was from the base not the anchor. Therefore it is more accurate to say the anchor has been moved.
2. The anchor is still going to be on campus and in an area that all students can go by and admire the history and beauty of it.
3. The new location will allow for the following: complying with all state safety laws while containing the continuity of the new school design.
4. Speaking of safety, Ms. Bennett mentioned in the article that it was a rite of passage to sit upon it. Should we really be instructing our youth to sit upon things that we supposedly treasure so much.
5. Lastly, the school district must care because they are going to the expense of moving the anchor rather than getting rid of it all together which I am sure was an option.
Mae Atwood… If you think the school is going to move the anchor to a new location after reading this article, I’ve got a quality bridge I’d like to sell you! The school board has to approve a $25,000 dollar expense to move it. Seems pretty pricey to me.
The anchor (supposedly – has anyone seen it?) wasn’t ruined, but the monument itself was busted into rubble and then thrown, unceremoniously, onto the playing field.
Regarding Ms. Atwood’s comments:
1 – The Anchor monument has, in fact, been destroyed — apparently without any prior notification. The iron anchor that sat atop the monument was salvaged and district officials say it’s being held in safekeeping at the maintenance yard. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the anchor wasn’t damaged in the move.
2 — Hopefully the salvaged iron anchor won’t be subject to vandalism or graffiti now that it will be placed in front of the school, where everyone — including cross-town rivals — will be able to conveniently “admire” it.
3 — Please elaborate on the state safety laws you describe. What unsafe conditions were thousands of us exposed to as students over the past 40 or so years? I spoke personally with the Department of State Architect official reviewing the courtyard design, who told me the Anchor Monument as it existed was outside their scope of review. Could it be that the Anchor Monument was tagged an “attractive nuisance” by school district attorneys?
4 — Yes, we should be instructing our children in character education. And if you were following this issue as closely as you claim, you’d know that there was concrete seating around the base.
5 — It’s taxpayers — specifically Arcadia property owners whose tax bills will see an annual increase as a result of the bond measure approval — who are “going to the expense of moving the anchor.” And I believe they deserve to know how the school district is deciding to spend their hard-earned dollars.
In these budget times, it is interesting that AUSD has $25,000 to rebuild the anchor (in some form) when it would have cost $0 to leave it alone and build their pathways, etc,. around it. Way to go AUSD. That’s great financial responsibility….why aren’t the Arcadia taxpayers who passed the bond mad about this?
Did someone act in haste and not consider alternatives at a much lower financial impact while still preserving the honored past of this anchor? Clearly,in this time of strained financials that all public money is facing,a better plan should have been worked out. Haste makes waste…and in this case perhaps holding the final decision maker accountable would be appropriate.
While I respect the opinions and memories of the anchor, I still maintain that there is more to this issue.
How many people who have responded here have actually seen the area where the anchor will go? Or the new gym? Or the new athletic field? If you have not that is a shame because as a lifelong Arcadian and Dana neighbor, I have marveled at the transformation of the school.
Ms. Bennett you spoke of not being notified. Do you really expect the school district to call every single person who went to Dana to ask what they would like to do? Furthermore, what makes one person’s opinion more valuable than another? Some Dana alumni considered it to be an eyesore. Does their opinion not matter?
Thus, the movement of the anchor is a great compromise, which is true character education.
The anchor was completely out in the open before and was not harmed so I believe your “cross town rivals” theory is a stretch.
Yes, safety laws have changed in the last 40 years because times have changed. For example, I often saw skateboarders using it as a ramp. This is safety and liability issue for the district.
The district with the generosity of the Arcadia tax payers (of which I am one) are trying to make all the schools better. Everyone here wanted to keep the anchor. So the district considers this and makes a new monument. Then you are upset that it is going to cost money. Where is your compromise?
Bottom line- the anchor could not stay in its current place because it would not match the new buildings and was a safety hazard. Therefore in the spirit of compromise it is being moved to a more appropriate location.
Perhaps the School District would welcome alumni volunteers to erect the new resting place for the anchor.
The link above to Facebook is broken and a search of Facebook comes back with no groups.
I attended Dana, and I don’t understand why, or how this happened. We are getting to the point where progress steps all over tradition. What a shame! I guess I have nothing to say about it, since I am no longer a Arcadia resident, and I don’t go back to visit Dana often enough.
To Historian: The link to Facebook is not broken but you have to be logged into account with access to that Group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/458835414135527/.
Again regarding Mae Atwood’s comments:
— To clarify, the only issue I am addressing is the sudden destruction of the Anchor Monument. There is no “more to the issue” other than I am a product of Dana and AHS questioning the demolition of a cherished school landmark structure.
–I am not opposed to plans to modernize the Dana infrastructure. My son attended another California middle school that recently completed a $35 million dollar bond measure-funded renovation, so I’m quite familiar with the process.
–Regarding prior notification, you’re correct. I do not expect the school district to “call every person who went to Dana to ask what they would like to do.” However, I do expect the school district to follow the law regarding permitting and noticing procedures for the Anchor Monument demolition, which is how the public would have been legally informed about it beforehand. Let’s hope this was done because we haven’t found anyone in the community who knew the demolition was coming — except perhaps you. Further, since the Anchor Monument was the centerpiece of Dana for more than 40 years, a courtesy phone call or e-mail to the Alumni Association president — who regularly works with the school district — is not an outrageous expectation.
–Regarding your comment that some Dana alumni considered the Anchor to be an “eyesore,” the artistic merit or lack thereof was not a reason cited for the removal, according to the written explanation I received from School Board President Joann Steinmeier. Neither was safety or liability. Mrs. Steinmeier stated that the school district deemed the Anchor Monument to be an impediment to pedestrian traffic flow in the courtyard.
–As for my “stretch” questioning whether the salvaged iron anchor might now be vulnerable to pranks or graffiti, Mrs. Steinmeier did not include board-approved renderings or drawings in her explanation, so plans for precautions are not clear. But the salvaged iron anchor will be visible front on First Avenue, whereas the Anchor Monument was located far inside school property.
–As for the skateboarders, sorry about that. They are an unruly bunch, indeed. However, in my day, some of the finest pro skaters hailed from Arcadia and were proud of it.
Though I didn’t attend Dana, I can understand the alums’ frustration and angst. A bunch of us at the AHS alumni association were just as miffed a few years ago, when the first AHS graduating class’ class gift, the iconic Senior Square (classical example of 50′s moderne style flat slate architecture) was demolished without advance discussion, nor warning. That event woke some of us up, so we were able to save the AHS multi-sided lunch shack. I think it was finally declared a historic property.
Arcadia’s prominent “History Lives Here” postings should also include their own school district’s items. Sometimes sentimental value cannnot be quantified.
I’m saddened by the lack of regard to the years of history created and memmories surrounded by what this monument was and meant to so many lives passing through Dana. It was a right of passage to get to sit on it, it was where I recall making new friendships, and I do have photos of my friends and I sitting on it when it was finally our right. Dances did occur around it. Had I known prior to this occuring I would have put my vote in on the Facebook page and whatever else I could have done to be a voice.
Noooo! I am a Dana alum and my most treasured photos are of my drill team on the base of that monument, along with my “most school pride” photo taken on that anchor. I certainly will treasure those even more so now. That anchor was certainly a point of pride for me as a student, and I hope that here will be a space that allows students to be reminded daily of the school namesake.
The ex-cheerleader needs to come to grips with the fact that the anchor is moving. All of the moaning and whining cannot change that fact. I can only surmise that her goal, at this point, is to stir-up opposition because it brings her satisfaction. Get over it. If she thinks for one minute that getting people angry is going to change the simple fact that the anchor will be in a different spot on that campus, will then I don’t know what to tell her. Perhaps she (and others) should realize that present and future students of Dana might really enjoy seeing the anchor in it’s new location and that, for them, this will be the icon they attach their memories to. Your time has come and gone — find something worthwhile to spend your energies on like childhood poverty, global warming or bringing our troops home.
Mr. Mellin’s comments “A bunch of us at the AHS alumni association were just as miffed a few years ago, when the first AHS graduating class’ class gift, the iconic Senior Square (classical example of 50′s moderne style flat slate architecture) was demolished without advance discussion, nor warning” must be addressed. I did not attend AHS, but visited it many times as a guest player. The AHS quad was one of the ugliest, least thought-out quads that I have ever seen in a large respectable high school. Thank God that we have an oversight committee that had the backbone to address this eyesore. I cannot wait to visit when the project is complete to see the work done to bring to our deserving present students the campus they deserve. I know that people have histories they tie to buildings and structures, but “new”, “beautiful”, and “updated” are words I like to hear for the future of Arcadia schools. Thank you oversight committee for making tough and right decisions for our city.
Really? Jr. High Alumni? Ahhhhhhhahahahahaha. Seriously, who cares? People, life goes on. It’s called progress. Perhaps they will replace the anchor with a statue or Mr. Mount losing control on his math class or Mr. LaForest taking out is vengeance on the student body. Oh yea, gotta love the wonder years.
There is an intangible thing called “school spirit.” It’s not taught at school… more like fostered. Children are encouraged to have it and most pick up on the idea very quickly. Tradition is a huge part of it and things that you think probably wouldn’t be all that important to you as an adult, turn out to be.
Anyone who went to Dana Jr. High knows the tradition of The Anchor. We gathered around it every morning while the color guard played “Reveille.” We took pictures on it when we won awards in school. It was, quite literally, the center of our campus… the symbol of our school.
That people like Richard Bentwood doesn’t understand that concept, surprises me. All I can figure is that he admits that he was NOT an Arcadian growing up, so doesn’t understand the pride that we have of our school and our campus. I’ll bet he would howl if something similar happened at HIS alma mater… we’ll never know.
So, I guess, if you’re an out-of-towner or a middle aged man with an axe to grind (still angry with Mr. LaForest enforcing discipline at Dana? C’mon, Mike Gearhart… seriously, grow up!), you just don’t understand the hurt of seeing the monument pulverized and the pieces thrown out on the field like garbage. I’ve been gone from Dana for over forty years and the photo resonated with me.
By the way, calling Rory Bennett an “ex-cheerleader,” trying to minimize her opinions, is idiotic and a cheap shot. Ms. Bennett has become “the voice” of the disenfranchised student alumni who felt… violated… by the destruction of a memory we held dear. I think the ship has already sailed on the monument, but at least the City Of Arcadia now know how many of us feel about it. Thank you, Rory!
Ahoy, Richard Bentwood!(if that is your real name)
It’s me again, your favorite ex-cheerleader! I’ve momentarily put away my pom poms and set aside the giant spoon I use to “stir up” opposition to the Anchor destruction in order to send you a thank-you note. I’m flattered beyond words that you consider me some sort of Dana Master & Commander sending obedient alumni into battle with one wave of a frayed pom pom. That these naysayers — doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, teachers, business owners, realtors, building contractors, homemakers, retirees, grandmothers and others who stand in the way of “progress” — have no opinions of their own and take orders only from me. It’s a compliment that had me doing backflips all day! Now, if only I would tell those Facebookers to shut up and get out of your way, right “Mr. Bentwood?” But hometown issues like the unwarranted, secret destruction of an iconic school landmark have a way of galvanizing people that you, an admitted “guest player” at AHS (whatever that means), will never understand. You are quite right that we all “have histories” that we “tie to buildings and structures.” Landmarks, monuments, memorials and historical sites have a way of doing that. But unlike you, the only two words I, a mere ex-cheerleader, want to hear about Arcadia schools are these: the truth.
Dear Mike Gearheart,
If you “don’t care,” why bother to comment? We’re just a bunch of junior high alumni idiots with nothing better to do than re-live our Wonder Years, right? We haven’t raised children, lost parents, served our countries, gotten divorced, battled cancer, filed for bankruptcy or done anything else that would allow us to view those teenage years through a broader prism. You’re right — life does go on. But it’s not called progress. It’s called wisdom.
Has anyone checked to see if the anchor is still in storage? Is there any hope of it being used in the future? My friend who lives next to Dana told me an old beat up truck picked up the anchor and he noticed there was other “scrap” metal in the truck with it.
Annette, we will check with the maintenance yard for an update. Thank you for your concern.
I paid a visit to the school district maintenance yard today, where the salvaged metal anchor is being stored. Construction Chief Jim Leahy says the 2,500-pound anchor first needs to be sandblasted to remove old paint, then will be repainted with special epoxy and mounted upright somehow in a display area near the front of Dana. DC Architects of Upland, which handled the quad design, is also doing the engineering plan and aesthetic design. I’ve asked Jim to e-mail me the aesthetic plan before it’s sent to the School Board for approval so that we, as concerned alumni, can comment if we wish. Yes, the old girl is worn and weathered (I can relate!), and she’s lying in the dirt covered by a tarp. But she appears to have survived the demolition intact, and they haven’t taken her to the dump or sold her for scrap. Photos of the stored anchor are posted on the Friends of the Dana Middle School Anchor Group on Facebook. It’s a closed group, but if you friend one of us, you can join and stay current on Anchor news.