Anderson Schoolhouse
Why it's listed
Built in 1873 near Ashland, Ohio, this one-room brick schoolhouse is notable for decoration unusual in a rural school. The 1-1/2 story building measures about 30 by 40 feet and rests on a rough-cut sandstone foundation. At the southeast corner rises a three-stage belltower of sandstone and wood, with round arched openings, louvered panels, scalloped and diamond-patterned siding, a pyramidal roof with small wood brackets, and a metal cap and finial. The original bell remains. Sandstone belt courses, lintels, sills and quoins trim the walls, and patterned shingles fill the gable. The building served as an eight-grade school until 1938 and since then has been a local community meeting place. Alterations include a bricked-in window on the front, a small rear addition and the installation of electricity. There is still no plumbing. The community club that uses it has made its preservation a project.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an unusually ornate building for a single-room schoolhouse. It served as an eight-grade school until 1938 and has been used continuously as a school or community meeting place since completion. It is listed for its architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77001040, listed March 25, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Ashland on U.S. 42, Ashland |
|---|---|
| County | Ashland County |
| Listed | March 25, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001040 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1873 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a community meeting hall by the Anderson Community Club; in good condition and altered, with no plumbing and outhouses still in use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.84174, -82.35875 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77001040.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4754184
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.