Hoosier Gym - "Hoosiers" - Knightstown, IN - Movie Locations on Waymarking.com

The gym was awesome. There were no posted hours, so either I got lucky on a maintenance man's break, or it is at least open during 'business hours'. I highly suggest making the SMALL detour off I-70 between Dayton, OH and Indianapolis, IN.

Located at 355 N. Washington St. Knightstown, IN

(taken from Wikimapia.org)

Knightstown High School’s 1921 gymnasium had been abandoned for nearly two decades when location scouts for the movie Hoosiers decided it would be perfect for fictional Hickory High’s home basketball court. The film emerged in 1986 as a surprise hit, and the Knightstown gym gained new status as a destination for film and basketball enthusiasts seeking a personal glimpse of “Hoosier hysteria.”

History
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 of 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 105 feet long and 80 feet 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.

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.

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.

In 1922, it was recorded: We have the building and are proud of it and are especially proud of the spirit in which it was built and paid for. We know it is a sound investment and has been paying and will continue to pay the great dividends on the investment ever made in our community, not in cash, but in building the health and fine sportsmanship of the young people, which cannot be estimated in mere money. The benefits to be derived from the project will continue to increase if the public dose not lose interest, and it will not.

So it is true today, under the same purpose, and with the same enthusiasm, the Knightstown community glows with pride, dedication and an undying interest in the Hoosier Gym.

Movie or TV Show: "Hoosiers" Year Released or First Aired: 1,986.00 IMDB Link: [Web Link]

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