Challenge West Virginia

Homer Hickam graduated from soon to be closed Big Creek High School.

The sun is setting on the storied history of two McDowell County schools after a 10-year consolidation battle.

The last day that students will step into Big Creek High School and Iaeger High School will be June 8.

Big Creek High School was author and engineer Homer Hickam’s school, made famous by the McDowell rocket boys in a novel and film “October Sky.”

It was a true story about students in a small coal camp school rising to the top.

Hickam, who frequently returns to his roots, will likely spend some time saying goodbye to his old school.

Both schools will be closed and consolidated with the new River View High School.

Construction is continuing on the new multi-million dollar high school along a 17-acre site near Bradshaw.

Big Creek High School, which first opened its doors in 1931, will remain standing, and is expected at some point to be returned to the community.

Iaeger High School will be demolished to make way for a new Iaeger Elementary School, also a part of the flood-proofing agreement between the school system and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

McDowell County, by the end of June, will have only two high schools, with an emotional time for residents in the War and Iaeger communities.

A considerable number of students will be facing bus rides of more than one and one-half hours each way.