Bingham High School Fifty Years Ago
by Scott Crump (First of a series)
For those Bingham Miners who graduated from Bingham High School when it was located in Copperton, it is hard to believe that it has been almost 50 years ago since the school moved to South Jordan. As amazing as it may seem, the “new” Bingham High School building in South Jordan will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. I thought it would be interesting, in a series of articles, to look at what was happening at Bingham High School a half century ago as the school was transitioning from its location in Copperton (1931-1975) to its new home in South Jordan.
CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING IN SOUTH JORDAN
As a result of the population growth in the southwest part of the Salt Lake Valley in the 1960s, Bingham High’s enrollment grew from 653 students in 1960 to 934 pupils in 1971. (224) At this time, population projections made it apparent that Bingham’s current building, which had a capacity of a little over 1,000, would soon be overcrowded. As a result, in 1971, the Board of Education approved construction of a new west side high school to be completed in 1975. Immediately upon its approval, plans commenced to decide the location and architectural design of the building. The original land secured for the structure was located at 9899 South and Redwood Road on property owned by Floyd and Leon Sheppick—the site of Merit Medical in 2008. However, complications required the school’s relocation in 1972 to a 42-acre site at 10400 South and 2200 West. The land, which sold for $3,125 an acre ($131,250 total), was centrally located in South Jordan, Utah. (225) South Jordan in the early 1970s had a population of a little over 3,000 people and two major stores, Holt’s Service at Redwood Road and 10400 South and H. E. Service and Grocery at the “T” intersection of 10400 South and 1300 West. The future site of Bingham High was surrounded by farmland with only a few houses on 10400 South, a street that at the time forded the Jordan River with a single lane bridge (after a jog at 1300 West), dead ended at 3200 West, and had been only recently paved west of 2700 West. (226)
To examine architectural possibilities for the new school, the District sent Bingham Principal Glen Beere (1970-1973) to the Pacific Northwest where innovative teaching practices had been receiving national acclaim. The Board had previously determined that the new Bingham would be the model for the entire state of Utah of the new open space team teaching concepts popular in the early 1970s. (227) The architectural firm of Scott, Louie and Browning was hired to incorporate these ideas into the design of the school. These designs were described in the Jordan Valley Sentinel as follows:
Most of the features incorporated in the plan designed by Scott, Louie and Browning, architectural firm, have been tried and found successful in other schools.
Flexibility is the key says (Raymond) Whittenburg (District support service administrator and future superintendent). By a system of relocatable interior walls, the building can accommodate changing educational programs without expense or remodeling.
There are four different types of movable walls in the school. All are metal and nearly indestructible. Some are full height—ceiling to floor—others are seven feet high, and some only five feet high. The partial walls need only be unclipped and refastened in another place.
All plumbing is located in the outer walls. Electric outlets, clocks, bells, etc. are on movable panels that can be positioned at will…
When one department is larger than expected and another smaller, the necessary adjustments can be made simply and quickly.
The design of the building will also help in student supervision, says Whittenburg. “There are almost no corners where a student can get lost,” he said, referring to the clear visibility from the academic learning areas to the media center and the open halls and student lounge areas.
The media center is raised so that it is midway between the two floors housing the academic learning centers. The social science, English, mathematics and science departments have direct access to the center. (228)
The Jordan District called for school construction bids, which were opened on May 3, 1973. Finn B. Paulsen Construction submitted the low bid at $8,270,000, but since this amount was nearly a million dollars over the original estimate of $7,300,000, the Board decided to put the project out for bidding again. Twelve days later the Board changed its mind and accepted the Paulsen bid. Construction began on the 330,000 square foot building on May 31, 1973, with the contract calling for project completion on April 15, 1975. (229)
Early in the school planning process, concerns arose as to whether the new school, located 10 miles east of Copperton, would retain the name of Bingham High School. Not wishing to wait until the school was complete before deciding its name, student body officers found, through faculty and student surveys, that although there were a few who wanted to start the new school with a new name (like South Jordan High), the overwhelming majority, 94% of the students and 100% of the faculty, wanted to remain Bingham Miners. Armed with this information, the officers, led by President Randy Tyson, made a formal presentation to the Board of Education in December 1971. They cited the results of the survey and pointed out that by keeping the name of Bingham High the new school would have traditions and historical significance, many years of alumni would have a place with which to identify, and that uniforms, trophies, and other property could have continued use. The students urged the Board to retain the Bingham name, mascot, and colors. After listening to the presentation and asking for public comment, Superintendent Donald J. Parr, who had been principal of Bingham High himself from 1962 to 1966, recommended the name be retained since the school was simply moving to a new building rather than a new school being established. The Board unanimously concurred and also voted to make the old high school building in Copperton, Bingham Junior High. The student officers cheered. As the word spread, the whole Bingham Community celebrated the news that there would always be a Bingham High. (230)