Picher Oklahoma's population has been dwindling. 

For most former residents this weekend was the last opportunity for them to walk the halls of Picher-Cardin schools. Sunday marked the finale of the school, with a district-wide auction and thousands of items up for bid.

More than 1,000 people visited Picher-Cardin school for an auction selling thousands of items, but the big man on campus?

A 500 pound plus gorilla that has welcomed guests to Picher schools since the 1970's.

The price- $2,500.

"Oh, I don't know, I would've probably spent some more money," says Dave Marlin, of Conway, Mo., who bought the gorilla.

Marlin traveled all the way from Conway to buy the giant mammal pulling a trailer large enough to haul the gorilla 130 miles to it's new home.

Marlin says he wanted the gorilla for advertising purposes.

Clay Greninger on the other hand walked away from the auction with his old football jersey for sentimental purposes.

"It was just a fun school to be at and everybody misses it and wishes never happened what did happened," says Greninger.

Greninger says most of his old football buddies are buying a piece of Picher and taking home all kinds of sportswear, even old football helmets.

"Its a real sad day for a lot of people there's just a lot of memories in this place, a lot of ballgames, a lot of people has passed through these doors and it's affected a lot of people, it's a sad day in the history of this town," says former football coach of Picher-Cardin, Willie Ng.