1883 school-turned-home is for sale

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - An 1883 schoolhouse is for sale after it was renovated into a home using original materials and keeping in place the two chalkboards.

WANE 15 reports that Eric Vanstrom was looking at houses when he spotted the abandoned schoolhouse. The owner, John Popp, had purchased the it in hopes of restoring the place where his grandfather taught in about 1905.

Built by J.F. Wing & Co., it was called Cory School for the owner who sold the land to Aboite Township. It educated students from one of eight districts in the Aboite Township Schools.

There was damage from water and vandalism, but Vanstrom was surprised at how much was intact.

'œWhen you walk in, you see the original floors, you see the brick ..., 'œsaid Vanstrom. 'œIt just gives you a pleasant feeling to just sit there. I just love sitting there just looking around, just absorbing it because it's part of the history.'ť

A large piece of slate was mounted on a salvaged door for visitors to sign and the "schoolhouse chalkboards we've left because there's original writing on them from 1938 when they closed down the school.'ť

Vanstrom expanded the building to make room for a kitchen, two bedrooms, two baths, and even a basement.