Hoosier Gym facts for kids
The Hoosier Gym is a famous place in Knightstown, Indiana. It's a basketball gym, a museum, and a community center. This gym is well-known because it was a main filming spot for the 1986 movie Hoosiers. In the movie, the gym was the home court for the "Hickory Huskers" team. Even today, the gym looks almost exactly like it did when the movie was filmed in 1985. About 80,000 visitors come to see the gym each year.
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History of the Hoosier Gym
Building the First Gym
Back in 1920, the Knightstown Community School didn't have its own gym. Basketball games were played in other places, like Bell's Hall or the basement of the Presbyterian Church.
In February 1921, some local business people decided Knightstown needed a proper gym. They wanted to help kids get better at sports. They planned to build a "gymnasium and community house." More than 250 people and several businesses donated money. They raised over US$14,400 to help build the new gym.
The gym was finished on December 1, 1921. It was 105 feet (32 m) long and 80 feet (24 m) wide. This new gym was big enough for basketball games and many people to watch. It also hosted other town events.
After the gym was built, more money was needed for things like heating and cleaning. So, professional basketball teams, like the EmRoes and Baltimore Orioles, played games there. Even college players came to compete against local teams. Within four years, the school board paid off the gym and took full control of the building.
Adding More to the Gym
As Knightstown grew, the gym needed to grow too. In 1936, the school board used money from local sources and the federal Works Progress Administration. They made big improvements to the gym. This included a new front entrance and lobby. They also added dressing rooms in the basement.
In 1952, the gym was made even bigger. Three classrooms, a kitchen, and restrooms were added. These new spaces were for the school's art, music, and science classes.
When the Gym Closed
By 1966, a new high school and gym were built in Knightstown. The old gym was no longer needed for school games. The Knightstown Panthers played their last official game there in February 1966. After 45 years of serving the community, the gym closed. For the next 19 years, the old gym was not used much.
The Movie Hoosiers
In 1985, the gym became famous again. A film crew came to Knightstown to make the movie Hoosiers. This movie was about "Hoosier Hysteria," which is Indiana's huge love for basketball. The old gym was the perfect place for filming. About one-third of the movie was filmed inside this gym. Because of the movie's success, the old Knightstown gym became known as the Hoosier Gym.
Reopening the Gym
By 1988, the gym was in danger of being torn down. The old school next door was replaced by a new one. But two groups, Historic Knightstown and Historic Landmarks of Indiana, worked to save the gym.
Today, the Hoosier Gym is very active. It hosts about 80 high school basketball games every year. The gym also holds the Hoosiers Reunion All-Star Classic. In this event, top high school athletes from Indiana play against each other. The teams are named "Hickory" and "Terhune," just like in the movie.
