Hoosier Gym

The Historic Hoosier Gym, located in Knightstown, Indiana, is most famous for being the central location for the 1986 basketball movie Hoosiers, starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. The gym has kept the same look as it did when the movie was filmed over 20 years ago and has been turned into a museum and community center.

History

The Beginning

In 1920, the Knightstown Community School had no gymnasium. Basketball games were held in Bell's Hall above Jolly's Drugstore and in the basement gym of the Presbyterian Church. It was clear: the school needed a gymnasium of its own.

In February 1921, a half dozen Knightstown businessmen met to discuss the situation. They were aware of the fact that Knightstown was lagging behind other towns in the development of a children's athletic education and believed that area young people were entitled to physical education.

After much debate, a plan was developed and approved. A new gym would be built. Within weeks, their campaign raised more than $14,400 with donations from more than 250 private citizens and several local businesses.

Finally, on December 1, 1922, construction of the gym was completed. They had done it. At convert|105|ft|m long and convert|80|ft|m wide, the new gym was big enough to not only accommodate basketball games and spectators (with bleacher seating around the sides and end of the playing floor), but also many civic and community oriented events.

Upon completion of the new construction, it became evident that additional funds would be needed for maintenance and custodial services, including heat and lighting. Again, the city came together with ideas about how to raise more money. It wasn't long before arrangements were made for several professional basketball teams to play on the new floor, including the EmRoes, Michigan Rails and Baltimore Orioles. The town even persuaded players from various colleges to compete against local teams.

Within four years, the school board made the final payment on the gymnasium and took full control of the building. It was a true community effort.

The first face lift

As the town grew, so did the demands for the gym. In 1936, the school board used local and federal Works Progress Administration funds to make major improvements. The project included an exterior facelift with a new front entrance and lobby, and the creation of basement dressing rooms. Again in 1952, the gym was expanded. In order to accommodate the school's growing art, music and science departments, construction began on the east end of the gym with a corridor containing three large classrooms.

By 1966, the gym had become obsolete. So after 44 years of serving the community and providing a place for its young people to grow and develop, the gym was closed when a newer facility was built that April. Earlier that year, the Panthers of Knightstown played their last official regular season basketball game at the gym.

It was the end of an era, or so everyone thought. For the next 20 years, the old gym saw little use.

"Hoosiers" Film location

In the late ’80s, interest in the gym increased when a film crew descended upon the city of Knightstown looking for a place to film their little picture simply titled “Hoosiers.” The movie told the story about the unique phenomenon known as Hoosier Hysteria — Indiana’s obsession with basketball. And it turned out to be huge.

The film wasn’t simply about Hickory High School or a team winning or losing. At its core, it was about positive values, friendships, family and the strength of a community. The gym provided the perfect setting. As a result of this “little” film, the old Knightstown gymnasium will forever be known as the Hoosier Gym.

External links

* [http://www.thehoosiergym.com/ The Historic Hoosier Gym]