National Register of Historic Places

Vernon School

Vernon, Van Buren County, Iowa
Listed
September 11, 2002
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
02001024

About this property

Vernon School is a historic building located in the unincorporated community of Vernon, Iowa, United States. Vernon was established as South Bentonsport in 1837. It received its present name with the establishment of a post office in 1852. Citizens began the process of establishing a public school in May 1866. They acquired the land in January of the following year. Riley Cass, who was probably a local builder, provided the plans for the building and was chosen to oversee its construction. The design itself was more than likely from a pattern book. Construction proceeded slowly as funds became available. Although it was substantially completed earlier, as late as 1873 the school board was still hiring workers to do finishing work. The two-story, brick Italianate building features a low pitch roof, bracketed eaves, a square bell tower, and a fanlight over the main entrance. School district consolidation began in Van Buren County in 1957 and culminated two years later with the creation of three districts. The Vernon School held its last classes in 1960. The building, which had always been used as a community center was a polling place until 1984. It is the only 19th-century brick public school building left in the county. The former school building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Location

26849 South St.
Vernon, Van Buren County, Iowa
40.72136, -91.85664

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Nearby Historic Sites

Paine, Samuel and Mercy, House
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0.6 mi
Meek's Flour Mill
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3.2 mi
Bonaparte Historic Riverfront District
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3.2 mi
Aunty Green Hotel
Industrial
3.3 mi
Bonaparte Pottery Archeological District
Civil War
3.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Athens, Missouri
1861Civil War
11.6 mi
Battle of Athens Missouri — Iowa Troops
1861Civil War
13.3 mi
Battle of Athens
1861Civil War
13.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Vernon School listed on the National Register?

Vernon School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 11, 2002.

What type of historic resource is Vernon School?

Vernon School is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Vernon School?

The period of significance for Vernon School is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Vernon School?

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