Ill. junior high opens Depression-era time capsule

CLINTON -- Officials and students at a central Illinois junior high school are sifting through memories left them by their Depression-era predecessors.

About 125 people gathered Sunday at Clinton Junior High School in Clinton to open a time capsule found buried under the school's former building. The copper box was labeled "1912" on the outside, but contained school newspaper articles, a school handbook, and class rosters from 1931 to 1934.

Demolition crews found the box on Dec. 4. Superintendent Jeff Holmes says parts of the former building were built in 1934 as part of a federal program that funded public construction projects.

Holmes says the items inside will be on display at Clinton High School, junior high, and at a local library.