Yale High School Gymnasium Explained

Yale High School Gymnasium
Location:414 Lincoln St.
Yale, Iowa
Coordinates:41.7744°N -94.3572°W
Area:less than one acre
Built:1932
Architect:Halver R. Straight
Added:December 28, 2018
Refnum:100003261

The Yale High School Gymnasium is a historic building located in Yale, Iowa, United States. Completed in 1932, it was the first round gymnasium built in the state of Iowa.[1] It was designed by Halver R. Straight, a mechanical engineer whose primary work was in the ceramics industry with the construction of silos, and this building is similarly constructed with clay tiles.[1] The gymnasium served the local high school basketball teams until 1961 when it was consolidated with the schools in Jamaica and Bagley. From then until 1989 it was used for the elementary school's physical education classes. It was then open for use by the local community. Through the years the building also hosted band concerts, commencements, plays, banquets, and a game by the Harlem Globetrotters. The circumference of the structure measures 242feet.[2] The interior building features a small court that measures 65feetby30feetft (byft), a stage, and bleachers. Its design was impractical as the court was adjacent with the block walls. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Guthrie County's Yale gymnasium added to National Register of Historic Places. The Des Moines Register. Des Moines. May 22, 2019. 2019-06-30. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
  2. News: Yale Round Gym Makes History. WHO-DT. Des Moines. June 13, 2019. 2019-06-30. Keith Murphy.
  3. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Program: Weekly List. National Park Service. February 1, 2019. 2019-06-30.