Historic Schoolhouse Moves to Indianola, Bringing Past to Present

Indianola, Neb. – The Indianola Historical Society celebrated a significant milestone today with the successful relocation of a historic schoolhouse, a tribute to Red Willow County's rich educational past. This project honors a time when the county supported 71 schoolhouses, including District 27, before their decline in the early 1960s.

The schoolhouse, formerly located on Griff Malleck’s property five miles southwest of Indianola, holds a special place in the community. Griff Malleck, who attended the school from first through eighth grade, later restored the building, saving it from decay. After his passing, his estate, along with his wife Vickie, generously donated the schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop to the Indianola Historical Society, ensuring their preservation.

"He went to school there, and it had gotten so dilapidated, he thought, rather than let it just completely disintegrate, he’d move it over to the farmstead and restored it," explained Vickie Malleck. She added that during annual threshing events, they hosted tours, and fourth-grade classes visited to learn about Nebraska. "They'd come and have an old-fashioned school day, using slates, wearing long skirts, and playing old-fashioned games."

Community involvement has been vital to the project, with residents donating items such as school desks, blackboards, an old stove, and a teacher’s desk, recreating an authentic historical classroom. This collaborative effort brought the schoolhouse into town.

Later this week, the blacksmith shop will also be moved to join the schoolhouse. Once both structures are relocated, the Indianola Historical Society plans to host tours and demonstrations during the upcoming Old Settlers Day celebrations. This will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the area’s educational history firsthand, honoring the memories and contributions of those who shaped the community.