Seymour gym on list of state’s most endangered historic sites

An aging school gymnasium in Seymour has again been listed as one of the most endangered historic places in the state by Indiana Landmarks.

The preservation group released its Top 10 list of endangered places this week, including the James M. Shields Memorial Gymnasium on Fifth Street in Seymour.

The gymnasium was built in 1941 by the federal Works Progress Administration next door to the 1910 high school. It could hold 3,500 fans and was used by Seymour schools until 1981. The buildings were then used by Indiana Bible College for a few years before falling into disrepair. The property was purchased by a local family in 1996 and the high school was demolished. Indiana Landmarks says that leaves the gym as the last tangible tie to the site for many Seymour alumni.

According to the group, the gym’s owner says that the property may soon be auctioned to the highest bidder, but with no assurances that the gym will be protected from demolition.

The building is part of the Walnut Street Historic District.

Indiana Landmarks releases the list in the hopes of educating communities, advocating for the buildings and stimulating efforts to renovate and revitalize historic structures. The Seymour site has previously made the list in 2021 and 2022

You can see all of the endangered historic sites here: https://www.indianalandmarks.org/10-most-endangered/

Photo: James M. Shields Memorial Gymnasium on Fifth Street in Seymour. Photo courtesy of Indiana Landmarks.