National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

Southington Local School District Campus
Name of Property
Trumbull County
Ohio
County and State
complete with dentils and modillions, which are topped with a gable roof projecting from the main hipped roof
block. Supporting the pediment are four fluted Greek Ionic columns, resting on bases atop the concrete porch
deck. The front entrance is framed by a shouldered stone surround with keystone. Symmetric, rectangular
windows feature contrasting brick panels and keystone on the first story with contrasting brick detailing that
matches quoins on the second story. In addition, presence of the arched stained glass window further associates
this building with the Neo-Classical style. The porte-cochere exhibits matching, but smaller scale triple
columns with a roof-line balustrade. To further enhance the dignity of this public building, Chalker
commissioned matching stone lions to flank the main entrance stairs. Interestingly, a death notice published in
the Akron Beacon Journal on April 21, 1921 noted that Chalker also “furnished the design for two large stone
lions that adorn the entrance to the courthouse.” 13 The Summit County Courthouse, completed in 1908, was
under construction at roughly the same time as Southington’s high school. Although the lions in Summit
County appear to be slightly more stylized, they do bear a strong resemblance to Southington’s.
The dedication of the Chalker Building on August 22, 1907 was attended by several thousand people; a
significant gathering, considering the 1900 census listed the population of the township at only 750 residents.
The event was chronicled on the front page of the Warren Daily Tribune who categorized it as marking “an
epoch in the educational history of the town,” and described the structure as “one of the finest buildings in
Trumbull County.” 14 In addition, Youngstown industrialist and author, Joseph G. Butler, in his History of
Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Ohio, published in 1921, also called the Chalker Building “one of the
finest rural high school structures in Ohio.” 15
In addition to providing an impressive and modern high school, Chalker also envisioned his contribution to
include cultural enrichment for this small community. He personally stocked the library with a rich assortment
of books. Throughout the Chalker Building are large ornately framed oil paintings that depict photographs taken
by Chalker of architectural landmarks from his European and Middle Eastern travels.
Typical of many small, rural communities, the school campus also served as primary social and civic center for
the residents. Terms of the deed signed by Chalker on August 17, 1907 which transferred ownership of the
property and high school to Southington’s Board of Education stipulates that the Board “shall not permit said
Auditorium to be used otherwise than for literary society entertainments, lectures, concerts, graduation and
other educational purposes and refined social entertainment.” The stature of the landmark building, coupled
with the fact that it was the only public structure within the community that was capable of holding several
hundred people assured its use on holidays, for entertainment, and as a gathering place for special events.
The celebration held early in November, 1921 as the community gathered at the school to celebrate the arrival
of electricity to the township typified these community attended events. According to a newspaper article in the
Warren Daily Tribune on November 2 nd , the crowd of several hundred people gathered on campus to witness
the illuminating of strings of electric lights strung around the top of the Chalker Building and around the
soldier’s monument. Following the big event, a cake walk was held in the auditorium and a display of electrical
appliances was presented in the basement of the Chalker Building, with fund raisers held to help defray the cost
of electrifying the building. 16
Chalker retained an active interest in the development of the high school, even after he signed the deed over to
Southington’s Board of Education. Additional conditions outlined in the deed included that the land conveyed
13 Attorneys Pay Tribute To Newton Chalker, Akron Beacon Journal, (evening ed.), 21 April 1921, p. 1.
14 Chalker High School Dedicated, Warren Daily Tribune, 29 August 1907, p. 1
15 . Joseph Green Butler, History of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley, Ohio (American Historical Society. 1921), p. 631.
16 All lit Up, Southington Celebrates the Turning on of Electric Lights There, Warren Daily Tribune, 2 November 1921. p. 1.
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