Chatfield in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Chatfield High School (1916-1959)

Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025

1. Chatfield High School (1916-1959) Marker

Inscription.

Chatfield High School (1916-1959). . , The building before you represented the state of the art in progressive school building design when it opened in 1916 as the Chatfield High School. It exhibits a number of important design features that show the influence of the evolving building construction standards for public school buildings, recent technological innovations such as electricity and indoor plumbing, and the educational reform movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The high school was a potent symbol of Chatfield's economic growth and quality of life., William Wallace Tyrie (1874-1943) was born in New Hampshire, the son of a Methodist minister, and completed the architectural course at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1896-97. While attending Pratt Institute he met George Augustus Chapman (1876-1950), a native of Ogdensburg, N.Y. Tyrie and Chapman practiced independently for a few years and later formed a partnership in Ogdensburg. In 1908 they relocated to Minneapolis, where they became well known for their schools, commercial buildings and private homes., , Designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm Tyrie and Chapman, the Chatfield High School was built in 1916 at a cost of $60,000. The building was converted to an elementary school in 1959 and remained in service as part of the public school system until 2009. In 2010, the property was acquired by the Chatfield Economic Development Authority for use as a regional performing arts center. The Chatfield Center for the Arts is housed in two connected buildings: the original Chatfield High School (also known as the Chosen Valley Elementary School) and the auditorium-gymnasium addition (commonly known as the George H. Potter Auditorium). Both buildings have been registered as Chatfield Heritage Landmarks., , The two-story "alphabet plan" building form (so-called because of its I-shaped footprint) reflects the evolution of modern schoolhouse architecture during the "Progressive Era" (1890s-1920s). It was the standard layout for high schools built across the country. The classrooms were located on either side of a central corridor. The building featured modern amenities such as electric lights and indoor plumbing as well as a small gymnasium, laboratory rooms, and a second-floor assembly room. Note the two main entrances fronting onto Main Street, when it opened in 1916, the high school had separate ground-floor entrances for boys and girls.

The building before you represented the state of the art in progressive school building design when it opened in 1916 as the Chatfield High School. It exhibits a number of important design features that show the influence of the evolving building construction standards for public school buildings, recent technological innovations such as electricity and indoor plumbing, and the educational reform movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The high school was a potent symbol of Chatfield's economic growth and quality of life.

William Wallace Tyrie (1874-1943) was born in New Hampshire, the son of a Methodist minister, and completed the architectural course at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1896-97. While attending Pratt Institute he met George Augustus Chapman (1876-1950), a native of Ogdensburg, N.Y. Tyrie and Chapman practiced independently for a few years and later formed a partnership in Ogdensburg. In 1908 they relocated to Minneapolis, where they became well known for their schools, commercial buildings and private homes.

Designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm Tyrie & Chapman, the Chatfield High School was built in 1916 at a cost of $60,000. The building was converted to an elementary school in 1959 and remained in service as part of the public school system until

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2009. In 2010, the property was acquired by the Chatfield Economic Development Authority for use as a regional performing arts center. The Chatfield Center for the Arts is housed in two connected buildings: the original Chatfield High School (also known as the Chosen Valley Elementary School) and the auditorium-gymnasium addition (commonly known as the George H. Potter Auditorium). Both buildings have been registered as Chatfield Heritage Landmarks.

The two-story "alphabet plan" building form (so-called because of its I-shaped footprint) reflects the evolution of modern schoolhouse architecture during the "Progressive Era" (1890s-1920s). It was the standard layout for high schools built across the country. The classrooms were located on either side of a central corridor. The building featured modern amenities such as electric lights and indoor plumbing as well as a small gymnasium, laboratory rooms, and a second-floor assembly room. Note the two main entrances fronting onto Main Street—when it opened in 1916, the high school had separate ground-floor entrances for boys and girls.

Erected by the Chatfield Heritage Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 43° 50.621′

The former Chatfield High School and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025

2. The former Chatfield High School and marker

N, 92° 11.211′ W. Marker is in Chatfield, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It is on Main Street S. (U.S. 52) south of 4th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Main Street S, Chatfield MN 55923, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota

and in Greater Rochester.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The New Deal Comes to Chatfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Chatfield's Public Education Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Chatfield's Historic Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chatfield (about 300 feet away); Main Street—From Wilderness Trail to Modern Highway (about 300 feet away); Chatfield Loses County Courthouse, Gains Its First Municipal Park (about 300 feet away); Chatfield's Civic Geometry (about 500 feet away); Chatfield's Legacy of Community Music (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.