Rural Iowa is home to many faded map dots and little-known communities. Drive just one mile west from the Banwart family farm and you’ll stumble across Rodman, the “Small Town with a Big Heart” that was once a thriving mini metropolis to its residents and country neighborhood.
Today, few buildings and community members remain. On the south edge of town, the old brick school building stands silent yet resolute. From the outside, shattered windows and creeping ivy create a bleak and abandoned scene. Inside, stories lost but not forgotten start to unfold.
Behind the Brick
Although my family has had roots in the Rodman area all my life, I had never set foot inside the surviving school building. Thanks to a first-place winning speech I wrote about Rodman in the sixth grade, I knew some of the school’s celebrated history, including the success of its sports teams.
Rodman’s basketball teams made almost a clean sweep of Palo Alto County honors this season as the boys shared the county conference title with Graettinger at 5-1 and won the county tourney championship, and the girls took both the conference title at 7-1 and the county tourney.
– Memories of Rodman (1954-1955)
The Rodman Cardinals were known for their basketball, but they were even better known for Cardinal baseball.
The 1930-1956 baseball teams won either a spring or fall sectional title excluding one year, 1948. They won districts in 1930, ’36, ’51, ’53, ’54, ’55 and a sub-state title in 1954.
– Memories of Rodman
I was also familiar with my family’s personal connection to the Rodman School. Dad attended Kindergarten there, and Mom had the honor of graduating in the final eighth grade class when the school bell sounded for the last time on May 20, 1980.
In the spirit of adventure (and perhaps quarantine-induced boredom), my parents, brother and I were granted permission to take a self-guided tour of the Rodman School this summer. Camera in tow and armed with flashlights, we joked that had we brought our loyal Golden Retriever, Daisy, we would have resembled those meddling kids and canine sleuth from Scooby Doo ready to solve another mystery.
While we didn’t encounter any ghouls or ghosts, the scenes and history we rediscovered behind the brick gave us an extraordinary glimpse into the past and an experience we will always remember.
Stepping into the Past
On our first stop of the tour, Dad pointed out the Rodman Consolidated School cornerstone that likely contains a time capsule commemorating the building’s dedication day.
The present brick building was constructed in 1936 for $35,000. Dedication services were held on April 16, 1937. One month later, the class of 1937 was the first senior class to graduate from the new facility that replaced Rodman’s first school – known as the McCormick School – which was built in 1885.
A kindergarten class was added in 1946. In 1953, an addition was constructed on the south side of the building providing space for a large shop area, office, two locker rooms, furnace room, storage area, music room, home economics room and a lunch room.
Sadly, in 1966, the district ceased to exist and was absorbed by the nearby Cylinder, Mallard and West Bend School Districts. The school building was then used as a junior high school by West Bend until its doors closed in 1980.
As we entered the east entrance overcrowded by volunteer trees, our eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. Damp air filled our lungs. Just inside, the double doors separating the first floor hallway from the upstairs classrooms appeared.
We imagined what it must have felt like stepping inside the new school building all those years ago. Bright sky blue walls, modern classrooms and lots of space to roam?
Only 84 years later we found ourselves wandering through a much different scene. One that you might more readily compare to a haunted house or the latest thriller film.
The afternoon light pouring into the first floor hallway was a welcome sign that illuminated the doorways to the connecting classrooms, gym and janitors closet. It was only after we stepped foot inside the first classroom that we started to realize the extent of the school’s various states of disrepair.
Broken floor and ceiling tiles. Peeling paint and plaster. The otherwise empty rooms had suffered a great deal of damage from the unrelenting elements.
We tried to use the remaining alcoves and closets as clues to what purpose the classrooms must have served. In most classrooms, only haunting outlines of the original chalkboards remained.
Echoes of the Rodman Fight Song
Down the hall of the first floor hallway we came across the Rodman High School gym which had once been a place of pride for the boys and girls basketball teams.
We surveyed the empty ball room and peaked through the south entrance where the school stage once sat. As we descended down the stairwell to what would have been the gym floor, we found ourselves standing in the middle of a wild jungle.
Sunlight poured in through open skies. The gym roof had long since vanished and nature had nearly reclaimed the entire sporting facility once filled with loyal Cardinals, young and old, chanting the Rodman fight song.
Rodman High School. Rodman High School. Drive right down that line. Take the ball right down the court boys/girls, basket sure this time. Rah. Rah. Rah. Rodman High School. Rodman High School. Fight on for your fame. Fight Rodman, Fight, Fight, Fight, we’ll win this game!
Rodman School Fight Song
It was like standing in a Chernobylesque disaster zone. So many trees and shrubs had overwhelmed the space that the remaining basketball hoops were barely visible. But on the back wall of the stage, we found signs of life.
Etched into the brick we discovered the signatures, musings and scribbles of ornery schoolchildren. Some of the names we recognized, others dated back before my parents’ time. My Mom recalled sneaking backstage to pen her own inscription. It was a rite of passage at the Rodman school…as long as you didn’t get caught.
Ascending to the Second Story and Beyond
Our journey to the second story of the school building was similar to our ground floor expedition. The cold, steel staircase that led us there was eerie and a bit unnerving. No one wanted to go first, and no one wanted to be last.
Upstairs we explored more classrooms, a restroom with its wooden stalls and swinging doorway still intact, and the remnants of the former secretary’s office, with the school bell alarm system hanging crookedly in the corner.
At the north end of the hallway we climbed a ladder that provided us access to the rooftop. From up above, the blueprint of the building seemed small in comparison to our outdoor surroundings, including the Rodman Elevator located a little further up the street.
From this vantage point we could peer into the gaping gym ceiling, spot the Riverside Cemetery, and in the distance, make out the tree line of our farmstead.
Keeping Rodman’s Memories Alive
Walking through the school’s dark hallways that day changed my perspective. What struck me most about our unexpected tour wasn’t the physical damage and devastation we observed, but the deterioration of a town, and the memories and community members that have faded with it.
Many of us grew up near a Rodman, a small town with secrets and stories slowly being stonewashed into forgotten history. It’s up to us to keep those tales alive.
I asked my Mom to share her memories of her last day at the Rodman School.
There was a lot of excitement in the air that day. I remember sunny skies, the gym decorated with flowers and lots of people wandering through the halls. Several local reporters showed up and I remember our class president being interviewed. That seemed like a big deal to me as an eighth grader. Our band performed during the graduation ceremony – I played the flute – and the magnitude of the day struck me. We had never played in front of that big of an audience before! We walked across the stage and ended the day with an outdoor reception. It was a beautiful spring day.
– Kim Banwart
If you’re reading this and have a special memory of Rodman you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you! You can send me a private message through my Contact page or add your recollections of Rodman in the comments below.
A special thanks to the late Ruby Besch who was a long-time resident of Rodman and dear historian and neighbor. Her collection of stories titled “Memories of Rodman” helped me write my sixth grade speech and now this story 14 years later.
The wonderful memories Greg has of the Rodman School being building head, math teacher and coach! There are so many stories!!!
Thanks for sharing! Glad the story brought back good memories. 🙂
The. Best. School. Ever. From Mrs Weisbrod to Mrs Lappe – and Mrs Stafford – I loved that school. And then I got to go back there in 6th grade! The coolest place to be a middle schooler. Our own school. And Mrs Lappe was there again!
Before that , I remember bridal showers in the band room. Grandma Viv played and I sang – “I’m a Little Tea Pot” and “Hello Dolly”!!! Of course I substituted the brides name for “Dolly”. We were so clever!!! I was probably 3 or 4 years old.
The school where my parents graduated.
It was my school – from the beginning. 💖
What fun memories! I wish I could go back in time to experience what it would have been like to attend school there. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing story. Most of my family currently lives in Rodman. I love that small town!!!
Thanks for reading and sharing your Rodman connections!
Wonderful write up. All the Fogartys graduated from Rodman. Wish I could have been along on the tour. Thanks for the pictures.
Thanks for reading and joining me on a virtual tour of the Rodman school!
The cinnammon rolls..oh my. I think they are still with me..
Henry Pederson, such a special custodian.
Yes, our own school as junior high schoolers.we were honored
Thanks for sharing your memories!
Thank you for sharing. This brought back many memories. I enjoyed going to Rodman for middle school. I was proud to be a Bullpup.I remember Wilma Olson as our secretary, and Mr. Klatt and then Mr. Bisgard as our principals. Mr. Sherrill, Mrs. Sampson, Mrs. Lauck, Mrs. Lappe as some of our teachers. Bertha Wickman, one of the cooks and of course Henry Pederson, our custodian. Fond memories!
Glad the story brought back some fond memories! Thanks for reading.
I remember this school very well. Mr Klatt, Mr & Mrs Sampson, Mrs Lauck, all great teachers. Mr Peterson great custodian, loved his German accent! I grew 7 inches from 6th grade thru 8th, some of the girls were taller than me until 8th grade! I loved playing ball in that gym, and the cafeteria food was fabulous for such a small school. I was bused there from West Bend, but always felt at home there! Thx for this article and trip down memory lane!
Thanks for reading and sharing your memories! Sounds like the Rodman school was a very special place for many. 🙂
Junior high years (’68 – ’69) – Mr. Diede football and basketball (the Drake shuffle) coach… Henry Pederson janitor… Betty Hoskins school secretary… Betty Lappe music… Marching with the band from Rodman school to WB cemetery for Memorial Day (I think… anybody else remember that?)… great lunches… Mrs. Csukker (sp?) art… Mr. Bell (1st year teacher – don’t know if he lasted very long) – many good memories! Thanks for this article!
Appreciate the post! It’s great to hear from the very students who walked the Rodman school halls and brought the building to life.
I have many fond memories of Jr. High in the Rodman School: a waste basket fire in Mr. Sherrill’s science class; making a syllabus of our entire social studies book in Mr. Klatt’s class; football practice behind the school with Mr. Walker; math with Mrs. Sampson; memorizing the Gettysburg Address in language arts with Mrs. Lauck; school plays on the stage; slow dancing in the gym. Where there is now only the outline of a chalkboard on a wall, I once cleaned scuff marks off the wall, during class, as punishment for fighting. All those memories seem so fresh, but the condition of the school doesn’t lie. That was a long time ago!
I almost forgot to mention, “Low Bridge, Everybody Down.” I still remember many songs from Mrs. Lappe’s music class, and sing them to this day around my house. Also can’t forget trying to sing bass as my voice changed!
What great memories! Thanks for sharing. It’s funny how moments stick with us no matter how much time has passed.
I was the class president of the last 8th grade class in 1980. I got my picture in the newspaper and everything. After the school closed they auctioned off a lot of the furnishings and fixtures. My mom bought some chalk board slate from the school and my dad cut it up and made small chalk boards for me and my brothers and sisters. I still have mine hanging behind my desk.
Very cool that you have still have a little piece of the Rodman school with you! Mom remembers you giving your interview for the paper.
Slipping a snake thru the classroom window. Wow, girls can scream and teachers can get mad.
Haha! I definitely would have been one of the girls screaming. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I don’t think I’ve seen that building since I graduated from eighth grade in 1975. I have always highly regarded Mr. Bisgard. Ignoring policy, he shared with me the results of my IQ test and informed me that my grades didn’t reflect my score. He independently determined that I was falling behind because I wasn’t wearing my eye glasses and couldn’t see the blackboard. You don’t get that kind of personal attention in larger schools. I adjusted and graduated high school number 25 in our class. That sounds impressive to my adult friends that went to schools with hundreds or even thousands of students. But in our class, I was right at the fifty percentile — just like Neil deGrasse Tyson. Ha!
By today’s standards, I wasn’t that talented. But Mrs. Lappe, and many others, made me feel like a rock-star drummer.
I can picture our sixth grade home-room teacher, but I can’t remember her name. Was it Mrs. Scally? I do remember she was incredulous that none of us had heard of a Porsche. Ha!
Thanks for this article. It’s a great trip down Memory Lane.
What special memories! Thanks so much for sharing! P.S. My Dad says he always thought you were a rock-star drummer. He loved hearing you play solos in pep band.
Excellent writing! Thanks to all the above commenters – I was in the first 6th grade class ‘sent to Rodman’ – we weren’t happy (but what 10/11 year old is). Once we got there we realized this was cool. We were relegated to the first floor, as the 7th & 8th graders got the upstairs. Our teachers were Mrs. Carlton and Mr. Day. When we got to 7th grade, we moved from room to room and our teachers were Miss Greene (English, languages), Mr. Suazo (science), Mrs. Lappe (music) and Mrs. Csukker came to Rodman from WB to teach art. I don’t remember our Math teacher. In 8th grade we had Mrs. Diede who took Miss Greene’s place. Mrs. Zwiefel was the nurse and Mr. Klatt was the Principal. Paul Dodd – you commented on the Memorial Day ceremonies – I remember my Dad (Carroll Olson) drove the bus with the band to Riverside Cemetery for services. My folks’ best friends from Dad’s Air Force days came to see us that holiday. I still remember ‘Uncle’ Rich (my God Father) in his dress blues (he was a Master Sgt) riding the bus with us and being a VIP at the service. Wonderful memories – and, somehow, the ‘jungle’ reclamation of the gym is representative of the transitions all of us who attended there have gone through!
Wow! What vivid memories. Thank you very much for reading and sharing your post. I love the jungle analogy!
I started my lifetime commitment to my wife in that gym when Connie and I made it official to be a couple in 1977 At a middle school dance. Still going after all those years! Andy and Connie (Banwart) Girres
What a neat story! Thanks so much sharing. 🙂
I remember playing basketball in the gym. Mr. Sherrill was determined to make basketball stars out of the Lauck girls. I also remember getting ready for a music concert and we were pushing the piano around the gym with Luan B. on top of it and it fell over, not such a great day! Thanks for the memories.
What great memories! Thank you for sharing. That poor piano. Haha!
Thanks for the story and pictures! My husband I drove by the town a few days ago and we haven’t stopped talking about it since. He even found this site for me because I kept mentioning the town and school building.
Glad you enjoyed the story and your trip to Rodman! Thanks for reading.
My dad Gary Fokken lived in Rodman with his wife Rose. I have always loved that school and wondered how to acquire it. Seems with. A new roof and one room at a time this could be turned into either apartments or maybe a req center. I know it’s a tiny town. I lived there for a few years anyone know who actually owns it? My name is Gina Arzaga I live in Az but travel to Iowa often. My brother Mitch kern lives 2 miles away on 590 th st.
I was in Deb Olsen Sellers class. I also remember marching band and playing for Memorial Day in West Bend. We thought we were pretty cool in the red and white uniforms, but they were wool and I remember them being very hot. Miss Green had our 8th grade class perform The Wizard of Oz using marionettes. We each made our own marionette in art class with Mrs. Csucker. We performed on the stage which had footlights and mid-performance one of the curtains which was close to the lights caught on fire. Bob Gearhart to the rescue with the fire extinguisher and the show continued. Lots of memories from those Rodman years.
Who owns the school now??