Go To The Head Of The Class In This Converted Schoolhouse That's Selling For $699K

With a view of the beautiful rolling hills and golden fields of The Palouse in Washington, this 1908 historic schoolhouse on Zillow has been carefully restored and redesigned to become a residential home. Surrounded by 1.43 acres of expansive grounds, the home offers 15,880 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two family rooms, and a number of bonus rooms. There's also an attached gymnasium with original maple flooring and a French door entryway. The basement includes a shop space and room for a four-car garage, with commercially-zoned space also available in the home. Located only 30 minutes from Spokane, this house offers an atmosphere filled with appreciation for the past and inspiration for imaginative new endeavors.

The rooms are spacious, as many of them are former classrooms, and they are filled with original historic details. The exposed brick and corbeled arches are beautiful architectural features that are handsome backdrops for the modern kitchen and bathrooms. Original fir floors are throughout the home, and the 5-foot wide staircase is also made of ebony finished fir. It's easy to imagine an excited group of students heading down these stairs to play outside on a sunny day years ago. It's also exciting to imagine a son or daughter descending the stairs to pose for a prom photo, or to picture the family decorating the banister with Christmas garlands and lights.

Attached to the full-sized gymnasium is a raised theater stage and a viewing gallery wraps around the area above the room, per Zillow. The gym not only provides a large space for indoor recreation, but it also sets the stage (literally) for childhood plays or musical performances. The spacious kitchen has endless storage potential, thanks to the generous cabinetry lining each side of the room. Tall windows fill a gracious sitting room with natural light, highlighting the beautiful wood floors and creating a perfect spot to enjoy a book or conversation with a friend.

The updated bathrooms offer plenty of storage space as well, and some offer double sinks or attractive pedestal sinks. The clawfoot tub in one bathroom is beautifully situated against a backdrop of exposed brick, and a picture window nearby highlights the views of the rolling hills beyond the property. In one former classroom, a green chalkboard is flanked by two charming corbel arches. This architectural design has been in use for hundreds of years, and it creates a beautiful detail that is not seen in many newer buildings. The handiwork on the banister of the stairwell represents the talented craftsmanship that was prevalent in America in the early 1900s (via The Met).

Zillow Gone Wild on Instagram has attracted a number of visitors who admire the property and are filled with inspiration for its use. A comment from thepellegrinoprincess says, "There is so much untapped potential here. For some reason I am so drawn to this place." Another comment from natagunn says, "Okay but me being an absolute child would love that gymnasium," as it brings back memories of dodgeball and playing with a parachute. Another post from wzrdreams simply stated, "You say gymnasium, I say roller disco."

A number of people questioned whether a building like this might be haunted. A note from sarah.altmeyer, who appears to be the current owner of the home, puts these fears to rest. "One would think it was haunted because it's so old, but the sweetest couple owned it before we purchased it and they used it as a wedding venue," she explained. "I can confirm it's a peaceful place to live and a really charming place with serene surroundings and the best neighborhoods. It's just too big for us to maintain." She added that she'd be happy to show people around the property, and that it would be an excellent Airbnb. Truly, there are endless possibilities for how this home can be put to use, as it continues to inspire all those who peruse the listing.