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walls of the school had three tall arched windows that possibly lit not only the classroom on the <br />main floor, but the half -floor above as well. Those have now been converted into first -floor <br />windows only, and dormers have been added to light the second floor. <br />Architectural elements remaining from the original structure, in addition to the walls, <br />with their clear outlines of the original windows and front door, are the wide, plain frieze, wide <br />eaves, the boxed cornice, and all of the original stone sills except those removed for the addition. <br />Also, some of the wooden storm windows in the smaller windows appear to date from a period <br />between 1890 and 1930. The owner has retained them in remarkably good condition. <br />The 1950 addition, though also brick, is clearly differentiated from the original structure, <br />which assists in observing the history of the building, and differentiating the separate areas of <br />historic significance. It has a number of features unique to or typical of the post -World War II <br />period, including glass block windows along most of the North face, many built -in interior <br />elements, a great deal of tile, and a fish -pond in the kitchen. It was featured in a home - design <br />and decorating magazine shortly after the addition was completed. It would be highly interesting <br />on its own even if it were not attached to a historic school, and would be worthy of landmark <br />status for its architectural interest alone. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />This site and structure should be recommended to the Common Council for designation <br />as a Local Landmark. <br />The Saint Joseph County Municipal Code, provides that: <br />"The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the following powers <br />and duties: <br />(d) ... Survey, identify, plan for and advise the Common <br />Council concerning the designation of historic landmarks. <br />(1) The Historic Preservation Commission shall <br />recommend the designation of historic landmarks and the <br />establishment of historic preservation districts on the basis <br />of historical and cultural significance, educational value <br />and suitability for preservation." <br />The historic and cultural significance of this, the oldest surviving schoolhouse in German <br />Township, and a relic of German Township's earliest days, is immense, and the original massive <br />fence preserving the structure's historic relationship to the roadway makes it even better. The <br />neighborhood of the adjacent believed Native American burial grounds and the original <br />schoolmaster's house, though these are not now included in the landmark designation, add <br />additional context and value to the schoolhouse site. <br />There is substantial educational value to the old schoolhouse and original schoolyard <br />fence as well, in that they serve to illustrate both the manner in which education was conducted <br />