The former Blume High School is a historic building in downtown Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States. It was the first exclusive home of

Wapakoneta High School Wapakoneta High School (WHS), is a public high school located in Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1904, it is one of four schools that make up the Wapakoneta City School District. The high school building is located on the north side of ...

. Prior to that time, WHS was housed with other grades. The original part of the high school was built at a cost of $41,315. This original section was designed by local architect William M. Runkle. In the mid-1920s, it was expanded with the construction of a gymnasium, a library, and the "Red Brick Section" addition; while the last portion was built with money raised from bonds, the library and gym were financed with a bequest from L.N. Blume.Dahill, Harold. "Wapakoneta City Schools". Auglaize County Historical Society, ed. ''A History of Auglaize County Ohio''.

Defiance Defiance may refer to: Film, television and theatre * ''Defiance'' (1952 film), a Swedish drama film directed by Gustaf Molander * ''Defiance'' (1980 film), an American crime drama starring Jan-Michael Vincent * ''Defiance'' (2002 film), a ...

: Hubbard, 1980, 111-113. These additions were designed by

Frank Packard Frank L. Packard (June 11, 1866 October 26, 1923) was a prominent architect in Ohio. Many of his works were under the firm Yost & Packard, a company co-owned by Joseph W. Yost. Life and career Frank Lucius Packard was born June 11, 1866 in ...

of Columbus. Growth in the Wapakoneta City School District resulted in overcrowding by the mid-1950s. After a series of failed attempts, the school board succeeded in winning voter approval for the construction of a new school in 1956, and the new Wapakoneta High School building, which today serves as the Wapakoneta Middle School, opened at the beginning of 1959. Blume was converted into a

junior high school A middle school (also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school) is an educational stage which exists in some countries, providing education between primary school and secondary school ...

for several years, but a 1988 vote resulted in the school's closing by 1990. In 1996, the former Blume High School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its architecture.

Notable alumni

Neil Armstrong Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor. ...

(1947) - NASA astronaut, first man to walk on the Moon

References

{{authority control National Register of Historic Places in Auglaize County, Ohio School buildings completed in 1908 Defunct schools in Ohio Former school buildings in the United States High schools in Auglaize County, Ohio School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio Buildings and structures in Wapakoneta, Ohio Frank Packard buildings 1908 establishments in Ohio