WE'RE OLD SCHOOL

History

The doors of the St. Ansgar School at 202 South Washington Street opened for the first time in 1928. For nearly 40 years the building served as the sole school for the community of St. Ansgar. As the school district grew, so too did the need for space. The St. Ansgar Community School District built a separate high school building in the 1960s and the Oren Thomas-designed building on Washington Street became the elementary school for decades of St. Ansgar residents.

In 2016, the St. Ansgar School District opened a new elementary school wing at the middle/high school complex, leaving the fate of the former building in the air. The St. Ansgar Historic School Project (HSP) was founded to retain ownership of the building and took possession on April 1, 2017. This 501(c)3 nonprofit reopened the building as South Square.

Why South Square? 

The original land plat of St. Ansgar, Iowa included two blocks - or squares - devoted to community space: North Square and South Square. North Square has been home to Clausen Park for decades and is a integral part of life for many St. Ansgar residents.

And what about South Square? It's the land on which the former elementary school sits today. We chose to christen the building South Square to pay homage to the idea that St. Ansgar's founders meant for this land to be a special, community-focused space. 

Today, South Square is an all-volunteer run hub for community entertainment, engagement, and learning. It is governed by a non-profit board of directors that operates the building through rental fees, foundation grants, and support from generous community donors.