Iron Post School – Iron Post (Afton Vic)

Address:	US. 59 & S 550 Rd., Iron Post, Oklahoma	County	Ottawa
Started		Completed	1938
Agencies:	WPA	NRHP:	No

Current Usage:

Description:

Located at the southwest corner of U.S. 59 and S 550 Rd., a few miles east of Afton, Oklahoma, the former Iron Post school building was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938. Built of uncut native stone, the 73′ x 26′ building is now privately owned.[1]

This two-room school is rectangular (73′ x 26′) shaped and constructed of uncut native stone laid in cobweb fashion. It has a gabled roof with projecting eaves. The front facade of the building has two single door entrances at either end with gabled hoods. An unusual common double-door exit is centered on the rear facade of the structure. The original band windows with concrete sills have been replaced with wood insets and smaller energy efficient windows substituted. These alterations do not impeach the integrity of the building.
Without a doubt the construction of schools constitutes a commitment to the future. The construction of Iron Post school is significant in that it is evidence of the commitment of the WPA to the future of the United States, even during times of economic recovery. Moreover it was economically important to the community. Wages from some 7600 man-hours of labor utilized in construction were infused back into the local economy, stimulating business growth. Jobs generated through the schools construction allowed destitute men to feed their families which maintained hope and pride in the midst of economic depression. Architecturally the Iron Post school is significant for its fine workmanship completed with unskilled labor and its unique configuration of entryways.[2]

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: Go 4.3 miles east of Afton on U.S. highway 59 and from the NE corner of Sec. 1, T 25 N, R 22 E, go west 208 feet, south 416 feet, east 208 feet, and north 416 feet.