The site on Pickard St. appears innocuous and historic photos of children lined up at the school even appear sweet and innocent, but the reality of this former school's history is more troubling. In an attempt to "cleanse" the children of their Indian culture, all native clothing, language, and customs were forbidden. Chain links on the walls still show where children were once chained to the walls for hours at a time. At least 174 children died in the first few years of being separated from their families and most of these children were buried in a cemetery on the property. Possibly as many as 200 Native American children died while attending the school. The school closed in 1934 and the property was converted into a facility for young men with mental health issues that had been placed under the state's care or had been arrested for a crime. That facility closed in 2008 and the city demolished each of the buildings that were part of the mental health facility. Part of the property is now owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, who still hope to create a museum that might educate the next generation on what occurred at this place even after the city decided to move forward with plans to demolish the remaining structures. While the city hopes to promote commercial development at this site, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe considers the school and the adjacent cemetery to be a Site of Conscience and hope to prevent the erasure of the school, its history, and its people.