Historical Sharon High School and Community Center Receives Grant from Sharon Telephone Company

Iowa City, IA - On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Sharon Telephone Company (STC) and members of the Friends of Historic Sharon High School and Community Center non-profit group met in Sharon Center township to visit the historic school building. In 2020, Preservation Iowa named the rare, 2-story, 2-room country schoolhouse one of Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties. Community members quickly began fundraising and planning to not only preserve the property, but to transform it back into the vibrant facility it once was. STC, and their telecommunications partner, Aureon, each granted $3,500, totaling $7,000 to the Friends of Historical Sharon High School for the project. Grant funds will be used to help pay for design and architectural services needed to springboard the larger restoration and improvement processes.

Built in 1899, the building was intended to serve as a high school for students to attend beyond country school. However, it became much more than an educational facility. Besides its use as a school, the building was rented out to traveling magicians and entertainers, for parties and events, and other functions. Many important meetings and gatherings have taken place at the school, including meetings for STC when the phone company began operations in the early 1900s. The upper floor is still used as a Masonic Lodge.

The Friends of Historic Sharon High School and Community Center are hopeful that their efforts will preserve and restore the building’s structure, history and role as a hub and resource for learning, arts, and entertainment opportunities. Once the remodeling process is completed, the building will provide space for educational, entertainment, cultural and community events, as well as offer a museum to display how important the landmark is, not only to the town, but to the State of Iowa.
 
The Friends of Historical Sharon High School and Community Center have made significant strides in their fundraising efforts but are still seeking additional assistance. If you are interested in helping restore the school building, please contact David Jackson at (319) 930-9801.


STC provides internet, TV, and phone services to customers in and around the Iowa communities of Hills, Sharon Center, and Frytown. In addition, we’ve begun the expansion of our service footprint into the rural Riverside area.

Aureon is a premier business solutions provider, with expertise in IT services, consulting, and customer care. For details, please call 888-387-5670.