NEW LIFE is being created in the former School House and Catholic Church, located in Loyalton City Park behind the Probation building.
The building was built in 1879 as the Doone School. It was sold 30 years later to the Catholic Church in 1910 - where it served as a school and a church up until the '50s when the new Catholic Church was built. Between 1910-1950 the new front entry, belfry and choir loft were added to the building giving it the look of a church. Once the new Catholic Church was built it remained a school as well as the church social hall up to its relocation in order to make room for the new social hall to be built.
It then served as the Milton Gottardi Museum.
The building has served Loyalton as a school for the majority of its 140 years of its life. Today, restoration of the building—now known as The Old School House (“TOSH”)—has been made possible through a wide range of volunteer efforts and community support.
Local roofer June Rakestraw repaired the roof and assisted in moving the old chimney. Craig Sheridan’s Loyalton High School construction class followed plans to build the new rough openings and install the windows. Local contractor Seth Espana completed the drywall installation. Eli Helvey built the window jambs, framed both interior and exterior window openings, and installed and hung the doors.
The new wooden doors were crafted by Michael Forshee, a wood finisher based in Truckee. He removed the original doors, used them as templates, and built replicas. Roger Rondeau has applied a protective clear coat on the doors.
Much of the hands-on labor has been carried out by Musica Sierra’s General Manager Owen McIntosh, who has vacuumed an estimated 400 pounds of dirt from the attic space, installed insulation both in the attic and under the building, sanded floors, and scraped approximately 1,500 square feet of ceiling in preparation for painting.
The whole restoration project has been facilitated by Musica Sierra, whose Executive Director Lindsay McIntosh has diligently secured grant funding. There’s been a $5,000 Rotary grant for electrical work performed by Logan Easley and a $70,000 Family Resource wellness grant, which funded materials including paint, windows, doors, and solar installation.
There are 100 Musica Sierra venue chairs and 10 tables for use in the social hall, with the City agreeing to store any excess seating.
Once completed, the building will serve as a Community Arts Center and a local destination with Marjorie Voorhees’ stained glass. Plans include expanded music performances, First Friday movie nights, after-school programs, and community assemblies. The Loyalton High School choir elective would also have a dedicated space to rehearse.
Are you a contractor? Do you love Loyalton? Would you like to put your mark on TOSH? Contact Owen McIntosh at [email protected]
The building was built in 1879 as the Doone School. It was sold 30 years later to the Catholic Church in 1910 - where it served as a school and a church up until the '50s when the new Catholic Church was built. Between 1910-1950 the new front entry, belfry and choir loft were added to the building giving it the look of a church. Once the new Catholic Church was built it remained a school as well as the church social hall up to its relocation in order to make room for the new social hall to be built.
It then served as the Milton Gottardi Museum.
The building has served Loyalton as a school for the majority of its 140 years of its life. Today, restoration of the building—now known as The Old School House (“TOSH”)—has been made possible through a wide range of volunteer efforts and community support.
Local roofer June Rakestraw repaired the roof and assisted in moving the old chimney. Craig Sheridan’s Loyalton High School construction class followed plans to build the new rough openings and install the windows. Local contractor Seth Espana completed the drywall installation. Eli Helvey built the window jambs, framed both interior and exterior window openings, and installed and hung the doors.
The new wooden doors were crafted by Michael Forshee, a wood finisher based in Truckee. He removed the original doors, used them as templates, and built replicas. Roger Rondeau has applied a protective clear coat on the doors.
Much of the hands-on labor has been carried out by Musica Sierra’s General Manager Owen McIntosh, who has vacuumed an estimated 400 pounds of dirt from the attic space, installed insulation both in the attic and under the building, sanded floors, and scraped approximately 1,500 square feet of ceiling in preparation for painting.
The whole restoration project has been facilitated by Musica Sierra, whose Executive Director Lindsay McIntosh has diligently secured grant funding. There’s been a $5,000 Rotary grant for electrical work performed by Logan Easley and a $70,000 Family Resource wellness grant, which funded materials including paint, windows, doors, and solar installation.
There are 100 Musica Sierra venue chairs and 10 tables for use in the social hall, with the City agreeing to store any excess seating.
Once completed, the building will serve as a Community Arts Center and a local destination with Marjorie Voorhees’ stained glass. Plans include expanded music performances, First Friday movie nights, after-school programs, and community assemblies. The Loyalton High School choir elective would also have a dedicated space to rehearse.
Are you a contractor? Do you love Loyalton? Would you like to put your mark on TOSH? Contact Owen McIntosh at [email protected]
