County 22: Orange

Imagine if you could live in the building where you attended high school. For some Paoli residents that is now a possibility. The old Paoli High School, which was built in 1927 and closed in 1967, has been converted into 22 apartments for low and middle income Hoosiers thanks to Indiana’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). 



The charm of the new apartment complex is not the only thing I was impressed by. Some would see the abandoned building as a waste of space; instead local officials and Hoosier Uplands saw the building as a community asset and decided to do something. In addition to the $5.3 million NSP grant, local officials leveraged other funding.

Residents are realizing the quality that was put into this historic landmark. The owners have a long list of applicants who would like to live in the old high school. I’m sure this kind of interest in the area will spark additional investment in the area, which is exactly the kind of revitalization we like to see. 



Local and state officials give the Lt. Governor

a tour of the old Paoli High School that was

recently converted into affordable housing.



As I walked through the wide hallways, once teeming with students, I couldn’t help but notice a few relics that were preserved: some old school lockers, class photos, and a blackboard. I also got a chance to admire a few items that were found in a 1927 time capsule that was uncovered during the renovations. Community leaders decided to bury a new time capsule to be opened in 2095. I enjoyed adding a personal letter to the new time capsule. So much has changed in the last 84 years, and I can only imagine what Orange County will look like 84 years from today.



I always enjoy visits back to Orange County – an area I represented during my time in the state senate. In addition to the Paoli project, it was also nice to be at the French Lick Hotel for the Indiana Golf Course Owners Association’s conference. Golf is a great economic driver in Indiana and we are grateful for the prosperity this sport has created. The state’s tourism website – visitindiana.com – features golf get-a-ways. We know that golfers stay longer and spend more money than other tourists.  Whether golf is your sport or not, check out www.visitindiana.com for tons of trip ideas.