Amherst’s Central School undoubtedly has a rich, complicated history within the local city. Members of the local community have either driven past the abandoned sandstone building, known of people who attended the historic school, or attended the school themselves. This historic building stands tall in the heart of the Sandstone Center of the World, and the history of this building is nothing short of interesting.
The first Central School classes were conducted in a wood building that initially served as the Town Hall. In 1849, the historic building was moved and remodeled into the Union School. After 7 years of construction, a more modern, larger two-story brick building was built, which later went on to host its first graduating class of three members in 1887. On July 5th, 1893, the Amherst Union School was destroyed by a fire less than a decade after opening. Construction to replace the destroyed building began in 1893 utilizing native sandstone.
Only fourteen years after the school was built, the second building succumbed to a fire on March 2nd, 1907, leaving nothing but the ruins of what was once the Amherst Union School. The school immediately went into reconstruction, and by 1908 the building housed thirteen classrooms, a library, and a study. The newly rebuilt school opened its doors back up to students in 1909. During 1923 to 1924 additions to the school brought more classrooms, a stage, and a gymnasium for students to utilize.
In June of 1984, after 77 successful years, Central School closed its doors for the last time. The lasting Central School legacy and history have lived on in the hearts of the community.
On August 8th, 1987, brothers Tony and Donel Sprenger together with longtime friend Bill Starbuck, purchased the Central School property at open auction, with the intent to turn the building into a care center for senior citizens. Tony and Donel’s mother founded Amherst Manor Nursing Home when they were children.
At the time of the Central School property purchase, the Sprenger brothers owned and operated four nursing homes and were involved in the construction of Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge nursing home, which still stands in Lorain. Starbuck, an Amherst native who graduated from Central School in 1952 operated Star Builders Inc., a construction firm in the area.
In August of 2016, Sprenger Health Care Systems first proposed the project to convert the abandoned Amherst Central School building into a luxury senior living community. After numerous applications, they were able to receive a state tax credit to adequately fund the ambitious project. Construction for The 1907 at Central School project began in November of 2018 and has been ongoing since.
Renamed The 1907 at Central School, a nod to when the imposing structure was constructed, Sprenger Health Care Systems is working diligently to carefully preserve the beautiful sandstone structure of the building while completely redoing the inside. This will transform the building into a luxury senior living community for local residents, The 1907 at Central School. The new community is a luxury senior living space with an added 1900s aesthetic, to pay proper homage to the history of the time period.
The 1907 at Central School features 40 apartments total with 10 luxurious room types to choose from, all named after well-known jazz artists of the era. An on-site pub called F. Scott’s that is open to the public.
The Amherst community had been anxious to witness what the historic building would be transformed into. After the building was bought, many people naturally wondered what the building’s fate would be and what the Sprengers were actually doing with the building. Sprenger Health Care Systems has expanded its growing list of facilities all over northeast Ohio and even in South Carolina and Indiana. The 1907 at Central School is just one more notable addition to the expanding list.
The 1907 at Central School is a historic landmark preserved and reconstructed for the modern era. The historic preservation of the old Central School is evident throughout the facility. The building still has strong ties to the community through its rich history. Now it can fully service senior citizens looking to take advantage of all the luxurious amenities Sprenger Health Care Systems has to offer.
The 1907 at Central School opened in September 2019. For more information and to reserve your apartment at The 1907 at Central School, please call Medina Gonzalez, Director at (440) 988-1835.