Built in 1917, the Ondossagon School in Barksdale has a long and rich history in the region.
The school, located off Highway 13 on East Ondossagon Road in Barksdale, had a strong reputation making a difference in the lives of thousands of area residents. It closed in 1990 with students divided between Drummond, Ashland and Washburn School Districts.
Since those glory days, the facility has remained standing, but fallen into disrepair. Now, a local housing initiative is exploring a new life for the school.
Dave and Justin Reto, who recently purchased the building, are working with Bayfield County and C&S Design to envision a new future for the treasured landmark. The parties are exploring housing as one way to restore and preserve the building.
Justin and Dave Reto agree, saying that “preserving the Ondossagon School and the stories it holds is our goal.”
The Retos’ first step was to retain Lauren Dahl, principal with C&S Design & Engineering. A facility evaluation revealed that structurally, the building is sound and salvageable. Despite more than 30 years since the last graduating class, the brick structure remains solid.
“Our preliminary plans show the possibility for 16 units, a mix of studio, one, two, and three bedrooms, in the original three-story structure” said Dahl.
Bayfield County has joined the effort, holding a public hearing on April 16 to consider an application for a Community Development Block Grant for the project. Tamra Fabian with the Wisconsin Department of Administration released a notice of funding through the Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources for the CDBG-Coronavirus Housing project funds aimed at restoring vacant structures and creating new housing units. The application is due May 15. Bayfield County has enlisted the assistance of Sheldon Johnson with Northwest Regional Planning to help.
Many have fond memories of the original, three-story building with hardwood floors and original woodwork. Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison said this was “a perfect opportunity to both address the region’s critical housing needs and restore a local landmark.”
Kelly Westlund, UW Extension housing educator for Bayfield County, shared that the “need for additional housing in the region is high, with demand pushing prices above local capacity and leaving local residents fewer housing options than would be ideal.”
Dave Reto said he has shared the idea with many and received positive feedback.
“We spoke to the Barksdale Town Supervisors and received encouragement on the restoration effort,” he said.
C&S has preliminary designs in place and is talking with area developers. Dahl reported that finding a developer for a project this size “is not easy” and the search is still underway. However, she believes that “the historic role the school played in the region is one of the project’s strongest components.”
Those interested in learning more about the project may contact Lauren Dahl with C&S Design at lauren@csdesignengineering.com.
Information provided by Bayfield County {span style=”font-size: 12px;”}Administrator{/span} Mark Abeles-Allison
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