ASHTABULA —
Celebrating history and the desire for a good deal seemed to be the two main motivating factors for dozens of people participating in the McKinsey Elementary School auction Saturday afternoon.
Marsha Howell, a North Kingsville resident, said she came to the
auction because she missed several of the sales held in Conneaut and Geneva when schools were closed.
“I just like these old buildings. I don’t really need anything,” she said while standing in a hallway as the auctioneers moved from room to room and into hallways stacked with old desks, globes and televisions to name a few of the unique items available for bid.
“I just went to school here a long time ago,” said Todd VanAllen whose mother taught at the school and his children attended as well.
Many bidders are “scrappers” that attend auctions and then resell items.
The auction included everything from small globes used to teach geography to four full size school buses.
Customers were able to enter the school before the start of the auction to check out the available merchandise.
“Give me a $100 for all these chairs,” said Auctioner Barry Densmore of a block of 145 school desks with attached chair. The bidding started at $50 and ended up higher than the $100 starting bid.
Mike DeFazio, of North Kingsville, said he came looking for a unique bargain. “Just checking it out and seeing what they have up for bid,” he said.
The school parking lot was full and cars were parked on side streets as bidders arrived at the school ready to do business.
Densmore urged buyers to remove their items Saturday or by Tuesday at the latest because the school is scheduled for demolition in the near future.
