Crews will resume the demolition of the historic Alderton School house, which is more than halfway torn down, a Pierce County spokesperson said Friday. They stopped demolition May 18 after the county realized the permit was issued in error.
Pierce County’s Planning & Public Works department issued a permit in March to demolish the 111-year-old school and adjacent gym at 9512 state Route 162, according to records on the county’s website. Demolition of the school began on May 18, but halted after the county issued a stop work order later that day. A notice posted at the site said a historic preservation officer’s approval was needed.
“Pierce County Planning and Public Works has identified that a demolition permit was issued in error in March 2026 for two structures at 9512 Orting Hwy E. County staff did not identify that the structures were listed on the historic register before the permit was issued,” county spokesperson Maranatha Hay said in an emailed statement to The News Tribune May 19…