KARE enters purchase agreement for old Kasson school

After sitting vacant for years, the 1918 Kasson Public School has received a new lease on life.

The Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE), which owns the property, has entered into a purchase agreement with Realty Growth Incorporated, Rochester, to develop the property. In a press release, KARE said Realty Growth and KARE had partnered with AWH Architects, Minneapolis, to prepare a Historic Tax Credit application for the National Register of Historic Places-listed school project. The project will receive over $2.6 million in Historic Tax Credits which will offset redevelopment costs. The tax credit application, which is near completion, is one of many financing sources the development team will explore in 2025. The Rochester Area Community Foundation provided $50,000 in funding for the architect fees utilized to prepare floor plans and development details as input to the tax credit application. KARE has been working since 2007 to explore reuses for the school to provide much-needed housing for the region.

A Minnesota Historical Society Legacy Grant was recently awarded to KARE to repair the school’s architectural sculpted terra cotta decorations and bricks on the front of the school. In the spring of 2025, the Acme Tuckpointing & Restoration Company, St. Paul, will conduct the repairs. KARE has also received other grants related to the school.

The school building was built in 1917-18 to replace the previous structure that had burned down a year earlier. It was designed by Owatonna architect Nels S. Jacobson Jr. Construction was completed in a short period of time despite the shortage of workers and materials due to World War I. In 1919, Samuel A. Challman, the Commissioner of Minnesota School Buildings, said there was nothing equal to it in the state in the way of completeness and architectural design.

The building accommodated classes for all grades and the elementary and high school students began classes in the building on Dec. 5, 1918. It was used in that manner until 1958 when the Kasson and Mantorville districts merged to form today’s district. In the first years after the merger, it was used as the elementary school and in 2000 was transformed into the alternative school, community education and the school district offices.

The K-M district closed it as a school facility in 2005 and early in 2006 it was bought by the City of Kasson. The original idea was to transform the building into city offices but a referendum that year was defeated by the voters by a close margin. With the referendum’s defeat the City Council voted to demolish the building.

Despite the rejection of the referendum, there was opposition to the demolition of the building and a non-profit group, the Kasson Alliance for Restoration was formed in January 2007 with the purpose of saving the building. In the spring of 2007, the group filed a suit to stop the city from demolishing the building. They also began the effort that ultimately led to the building being placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

KARE has been working since 2007 to explore reuses for the school to provide much-needed housing for the region’s citizens. A Minnesota Historical Society Legacy Grant was recently awarded to KARE to repair the school’s architectural sculpted terra cotta decorations and bricks on the front of the school. In the spring of 2025, the Acme Tuckpointing & Restoration Company, St. Paul will conduct the repairs utilizing terra cotta and bricks chosen specially to conform to the school’s historical architecture. KARE has also received other grants related to the school.

In addition to the historic school, KARE advocates for Kasson’s history which is posted on the KARE Facebook page. KARE has participated in several Chamber of Commerce events such as the Kasson Festival in the Park and Oktoberfest. At Oktoberfest a coloring contest featuring a picture of the school was one of several activities. At American Legion Taco Night, KARE served tacos to raise funds to cover annual costs, maintenance and repairs for the school. KARE donation boxes are in several businesses in the Kasson-Mantorville area.

Donations are also welcomed at KARE’s Go-Fund-Me page is: hps://gofund.me/cd027ef3.

The Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic preservation organization. Donations to KARE are tax deductible. KARE’s mission is to preserve historic buildings, structures and properties to serve as landmarks of Kasson’s heritage, along with being a source of education in the importance of historic preservation.

KARE’s mailing list totals 350+ with over 20 supporting businesses. To join KARE, or for more information, check out KARE’s Facebook page.