The first brick school was built in Continental in 1890 by Jacob Spiker. It was built on the corner of Fifth and Ash Streets in the south part of town (current location of Modern Eyecare and the Putnam County Family Care medical office). All the money that could be raised from the levy the first year was $700 to pay teachers’ salaries and expenses. This building stood within 400 feet of the center of the school district and was the second finest school building in the county, surpassed only by the new $30,000 school building at Ottawa which was torn down in the early 1960’s. Several new additions were made to the Continental School building, the last one in the early 1920’s when a gymnasium and two study halls were added.
Shortly before midnight on Saturday, February 9, 1929, a fire was discovered in the school building. It quickly spread to the roof, making it unfit for use with an estimated loss of $200,000. Plans for a new school were started soon after the fire. There was a disagreement over the location, but finally it was decided to build on five acres just outside the northern limits of Continental. Construction was started that year by Baker & Shindler Co., Defiance. The school was finished in the spring of 1930 and dedicated on June 4, 1930. Several additions have been added since then.
– Centennial History, Continental, Ohio 1886-1986, published 1986
Public School, Continental, Ohio at the corner of Fifth and Ash Streets.
Townspeople gather to look at the fire-damaged school.
Tabatha Puckett Rhoten says
Isn’t that where we had brownies back in the 70s? Thanks for the pictures! It was nice to see how continental was almost 90 years ago.
Sheri Ketner says
Esther Rau, AKA Grandma had stories about them having classes in buildings in town while it was being rebuilt. I think she even had a picture or two. I miss her and wish she was still around.
Jan Hersh says
Karen, so glad you are getting input from Nyle for the e-news. Keep up the good work.
Also the architecture on the old building was awesome.