Old District 10 Schoolhouse.

[joebanks]

When I first saw this place in the late 1960's it was a residence. Legend had it that the old caretaker was the occupant. The building has been unused since the early 70's and will likely come down someday - no one can think what to do with it. There is a second schoolhouse no more than a mile away as the crow flies. It's in better shape, still has a bell tower and is used for various functions; I was in it once to give blood.



Already our disposable culture was in place in the early 20th century. If the school was built in 1912 and was a speakeasy sometime during prohibition, that gives less than 20 years for it's original purpose. The layout was one large high ceilinged, classroom; probably one of the last; though the Amish still have them.



With the high foundation there must be cellar; that would be an adventure! The sandstone would have come from the Berea Quarries only a couple miles away. Everything old enough around here has Berea sandstone in it. Part of our 1883 foundation is made of scrap blocks.





Take yourself back more than a century when you played games in the school yard. Most students would have been farm children on their way into the 20th century.

Comments

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

That is too good a building to knock down! Couldn't somebody convert it to a residence again or could it be made into a music and performance eg dance hall?

What an interesting history it has. It looks like it was sturdily made. Old school houses have a habit of being turned to some other purpose. In fact, our River School has one building on the property which was an old school house from down the range. But then, people here have a penchant for recycling, and have the money to do so. A lot of small churches have been turned into residences and one was an art studio for a long time and now weddings are held out of it!

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

The structure itself seems solid, you can see a lot of deterioration around the soffits. I think in some ways it's impractical as a house; the windows are all 8 or 10 feet off the floor and it's not really in a commercial spot. You think in more than 40 years someone would have thought of something.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

Ah, windows that high off the ground would be impractical...unless there is room for two floors! There have been some amazing restorations in Britain if you have even seen the showGrand Designs. Of course it takes money...a LOT of money!

I guess it is less easy to make use of since it can't be moved. Our little wooden churches and old small school rooms are quite transportable.

[beoj.livejournal.com]

Never heard of that show; without cable we are limited with what we can watch. Someday it may filter through on our Public Broadcast system.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

Ah, that's a pity. Hopefully you will get to see it some day.

[auntysocial.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful and evocative.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

It's really iconic.