Yet another iconic Riverbank structure fell to demolition last week, as workmen tore down and hauled away a portion of the front of Cardozo Middle School.
The section of the campus involved included the two sixth grade classrooms as well as the main office area.
According to school officials, the sixth grade classes have been moved to portable buildings on the back, Atchison Street side of the campus, while the main office has been moved to the Fifth Street side.
Riverbank Unified School District Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Rudy Serrato noted that the facilities will be rebuilt in a similar location, but will be much more secure.
According to Historical Society records, the school site was originally built as the much smaller Riverbank Grammar School. In the 1940s, the school was modified and reopened as the Cardozo School, named in honor of Truman Cardozo, who was principal of the prior Grammar School.
The main feature of the new school was its auditorium. The wing sat along Santa Fe Street and was built as a WPA project. Works Progress Administration projects were created as part of the “Second New Deal,” intended to help the workers of the country deal with the Great Depression.
The new wing was used as a gym, school cafeteria, theatre and center of community events. After the demolition, the cafeteria remains.