Meat Cutting School Demolished

I wrote this article for the Sentinel also, and it was published June 27th:

     The once world-renown Oregon Meat Cutting School was demolished on Saturday. The Community Development Corporation supervised the destruction of the building, which had been built in downtown Cottage Grove in the early-to-mid 1900s. Frank and Joann Shirk started the school in 1965, and it became an international success.

 

      Frank and Joann moved to Oregon from California and bought the building in 1962. They were already experienced meat cutters, and their establishment thrived. Soon after, the parents of a young one-eyed boy asked the Shirks to train their son. They agreed and six months later, the young man was ready to be professionally hired, and immediately received a job. This success fueled the business, which officially became a Meat Cutting School in 1965.

      In the following years, the establishment took off, training 25-30 students every six months. The school grew so quickly, that it could not contain the amount of participants. Not only did the school give its students incredible skills, but it also rehabilitated hundreds of smokers, veterans, alcoholics, druggies, and more. These apprentices had a 99 percent employment ratio, and many started their own schools. The Oregon Meat Cutting School became internationally known, and students were sent from all over to come to the school.

      Joann once asked a German pupil why he had come to America to be trained when meat cutters in Germany were more successful. He answered that the meat cutters in Germany were trained for years starting at age 13, and he could be trained in America for six months and know far more than his countrymen.

      The country of Korea asked in 1977 if the Shirks would open a school in Korea, since they were sending so many students to America to be trained. Though this did not happen, the possibility alone demonstrated the success of the Oregon Meat Cutting School.

      However in the mid 80s, the trade began to change. The business began to decline as customers bought their meats from grocery stores instead of meat shops, and meat cutters began to be replaced by machines. In 1988 with great grief, Frank and Joann closed the school and moved away. Since then, the building has sat on the corner off Main Street, and slowly deteriorated.

      Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, the location is finally being put back into use. The Community Development Corporation (CDC), whose goal is to “expedite improvement” in Cottage Grove, bankrolled the demolition of the old building. They believe dilapidated buildings destroy creativity, while an empty lot generates new ideas. Thus they leveled the old, to make way for the new. Though they don't have specific plans yet, they are pleased to be able to give a “helping hand” to Cottage Grove, and will continue to improve the community.

      Joann Shirk, and her son who grew up in the school, attended the destruction of their old home. She said she was glad they were taking down the old building, because it was more heart-breaking to watch it fall apart than to see it leveled in preparation for new venture.

      Though many people did not understand the significance of the old Oregon Meat Cutting School building, their attention is now drawn to it, as it becomes a place of development. The CDC mentioned that a “memory mural” may be placed on the inside of whatever building replaces the school, so that the school will never be completely forgotten. Thus, though the building died, its memory will continue to live.