Big Creek Schoolhouse

The Big Creek Schoolhouse, also known as Polk City Schoolhouse and Polk City City Hall, is a historic building located in Polk City, Iowa, United States. It was built in 1863 when the community was known as Big Creek.[2] It is the work of master builder John Adam Schall, who was able to adapt heavy timber framing for the construction of the two-story Greek Revival structure. It served as a schoolhouse and community center from the time it was built until 1893. It became Polk City's city hall the following year, and continued to serve as a community center. A full-size addition was completed on the back of the building in 1915. Two one-story additions were constructed later in the 20th century. A frame addition was built in 1964 on the southwest corner of the main block, and a frame lean-to was added onto the north elevation in 1984. In 1966 the outside staircase, which was the only way to access the second floor, was removed.[2]

Big Creek Schoolhouse
Location112 3rd St.
Polk City, Iowa
Coordinates41°46′17.4″N 93°42′52.4″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1863
Built byJohn Adam Schall
Architectural styleGreek Revival
NRHP reference No.04000816[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 11, 2004

Unused portions of the first floor and the whole second floor of the building was leased to the Big Creek Historical Society, which converted the space into a museum. Restoration took place from 2005 to 2009.[3] The rest of the building continues to serve as city hall. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.[1]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. William C. Page. "Big Creek Schoolhouse". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-10-10. with photo(s)
  3. "Restoration of City Hall". Big Creek Historical Society. Retrieved 2017-10-10.


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