Douglas County Schools Added to National Register of Historic Places

The Gardnerville Elementary School and the Minden Elementary School were listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 19, 2008, state historic preservation officer Ron James announced today. The National Register is the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.

Built in 1928 the Gardnerville Elementary School is significant for its architecture. The building is a well-preserved regional example of Neoclassical style in a custom architect-designed school. It is similar in design to the 1916 Douglas County High School located on US Highway 395, also built in a Neoclassical style. The Gardnerville Elementary School is also significant for its role in education and community planning and development within the town of Gardnerville. It was the first primary-only school built in Gardnerville, replacing the former grammar school that served all ages of students.

It is of brick construction, with a prominent central gabled portico supported by four Doric columns, giving the building its Neoclassical appearance. There are four modern school-related buildings on the property that are not considered historically significant. It still functions as an elementary school facility for Douglas County Schools.

Gardnerville Elementary was built with funds from school bonds sold in 1928, for total cost of $28,000. It was reportedly designed by C.C. Meneley, the school principal of the grammar school it eventually replaced. In 1931 Menely purchased the old grammar school, also at the same site as Gardnerville Elementary, re-using the lumber and moving a section of the building to his adjacent home lot on Toler Avenue.

Completed and opened for classes in September 1918, the Minden Elementary School is a Renaissance Revival style, one-story brick and masonry building. The school was designed by Reno-based architect W.O. Lewis, and built by C.G. Sellman Construction of Reno. The Minden Elementary School is significant for its architecture. It is a well-preserved local example of Renaissance Revival. The plan is simple and box-like, yet the front façade is adorned by elegant, large arched windows and arched central doorway. It is also significant for its role in education and community planning and development at the local level. Since 1980 the building has been used for Douglas County School District administrative offices.

Minden Elementary was built shortly after Minden successfully bid for and became the new Douglas County seat, moved from Genoa in 1916. It was paid for by a $15,000 construction bond passed by the county commissioners in 1915. When the school opened in 1918, the Reno Evening Gazette reported that it was one of the most modern school buildings in the state. At the time, one of the four classrooms was dedicated to American Red Cross support, as the nation was embroiled in Word War I.

For a current list of properties in the State Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places, visit the State Historic Preservation Office's website at www.NevadaCulture.org (click on SHPO). For more information, call Terri McBride at 775-684-3445 or e-mail tmcbride@clan.lib.nv.us.

The State Historic Preservation Office is an agency of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The Department serves Nevada's citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, presentation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. The Department also includes the Division of Museums and History, Nevada State Library and Archives, Nevada Arts Council, Comstock Historic District Commission, and Commission for Cultural Affairs. For more information on the Department of Cultural Affairs, please call Teresa Moiola at (775) 687-8323 or visit the department's website at NevadaCulture.org.