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The Sandusky School is located along State Road 3 in the peaceful town of Sandusky, in Decatur County Indiana; just 5 miles north of Greensburg. The current structure was built in 1911 on the foundation of the previous school. The previous, Sandusky School, was lost to a midnight fire from a stove that had not been "banked". The building is rated "Outstanding" on the Indiana Historic structures survey its significance is that it is of the Craftsman/Bungalow style.
According to local newspaper reports the current building was opened for classes in 1910. During its construction, school was held in the local church and a teacher’s home. The wood windows and banisters are a sight to see, the warm patina of finishes that were lovingly applied
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by the award winning Janitor, Don Harrell, have endured all these years. The heart pine floors and oak stairs have seen lots of foot traffic and still stand as solid as when they were built. The hallowed hall, lined with mementos, graduating class pictures, and sports team photos, one feels almost as if they have gone back in time.
The movie Hoosiers could have been about the 1921 Sandusky Blackhawks Basketball team who went to state but were defeated in the Sweet Sixteen. Sandusky ‘IS’ the smallest enrollment school ever to make it into the state playoffs. Amazingly the Sandusky School did not have a Gymnasium at this time and the team had to walk the five miles to the Local county YMCA or shovel the snow off of the outdoor court in order to practice. They were known as the "Gymless Wonders".
That amazing team is a Living Legend who proved that determination and perseverance could pay off against unbelievable odds. The Bow roofed Gym features brick walls a wooden stage and Maple floor was added in 1936. The Sandusky School has been our home since July 2003. It was love at first sight, and again when we learned about its past. Future plans include listing the structure on the National Historic Register and providing protecting covenants.
As we restore this building we hear often of other historic schools being lost to age and neglect, sometimes the cost being too much for small towns to bear.
For the current time we are the proud custodians of a building we hope will long outlive us.
A heartfelt "Thank You"; goes out to all those who have generously contributed labor, vintage materials, colorful stories of the past and the encouragement to keep going.This has meant the world to us.
The Sandusky Spillman Gymnasium is not fully restored although it can be used for smaller functions.
(see Events page.)
Tours By Appointment.
**Page Updates - SchoolWork**
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