09/02/2024
The Rainsville Schools
There have been 4 schools within the town of Rainsville. The first was an old stone school built in 1833. It was later condemned. In the winter of 1875-76 a two-story frame building was erected on the public square between Main and Jackson Streets and Second and Third Streets. The second story was built by the Knights of Honor Lodge and the lower room by the township during the administration of Daniel W. Sigler. In a few years the Knights of Honor sold their room to the township for school purposes. Some of the trustees were Daniel Sigler, Dr. Homer W. Wycoff, Wesley Rhode, R.W. Alexander, Elof Nordstrum, Newton Statzell, and George W. Peck. This school caught fire from a defective stove in the fall of 1895 and was entirely consumed by flames due to no fire protection. Immediately a new building was erected. Matthew W. Hillyer and William Bear were the contractors. John W. Thompson and Clyde Coleman were the contractors for the masonry and plastering. This school was torn town for the more commodious and modern building which was greatly needed.
The most recent school was built in the year 1929 and was the only school in the township. Edwin Grames was the trustee when it was built. In 1937, this school was voted the most modern elementary school in Warren County. Harvey Norman was the principal and Arvil Smiley was the trustee. Since that time Amos R. Speck, George Strong, William T. Hurst and John P. Edgerton served as trustees. In 1966 it had a little over 100 students from grades 1 through 8. High school students attended Pine Village. It boasted of a modern kitchen and cafeteria built in 1958. At one time Rainsville School was considered the best consolidated school in the entire county. A clinic was held there in 1937 with “top” students from 7th and 8th grades, principals and trustees from all over the county attending. It taught Spanish and Science through the media of MPATI television.
With the creation of the MSD of Warren County, the school closed in 1973. The elementary students began attending Pine Village and in 1977 the junior high students began attending Seeger Memorial. The 1974 tornado severely damaged the school, and many residents took shelter in the school during the tornado of April 3, 1974. With government funds the school was repaired and used as a community center for a while, including Pine Township Boys’ 4-H Club. Due to liability reasons, the school was demolished in 1987 and the playground equipment removed.
This information is from “A History of Warren County (1966) and A History of Warren County, Indiana, 175th Anniversary Edition (2002).” These histories were written by Mrs. Robert L. Haniford, Sr.
Many former students still recall the unique 2 ½ level building, with 4 classrooms and the office/library on the top floor, the bathrooms halfway down the stairs (boys on the left, girls on the right) and the gymnasium in front of the cafeteria on the bottom level. The teachers and staff who were present in the last year of the school included Mr. Byers, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Boots and Miss Hoppes with Mrs. Sturgeon in the office. Mrs. Jones and Mr. Parke came over from Pine Village for music and art. The school was also staffed with a janitor, two cooks, and two bus drivers who transported the students to Pine Village to disperse to other buses to take them home as students who attend Rainsville were from Pine, Adams and Warren Townships.
Many other memorable teachers served the community at Rainsville, including Mr. Cavanaugh, Mr. Horn, Mrs. Leighty, Mrs. Shaw, and Mrs. Speck.
