Bryant (700?) Built 1952
July 26, 2024
July 26, 2024
Over the course of visiting many old gyms this summer, I've noticed many similarities. Most of them were once connected to schools named after the town in which they reside, because only students in that town and the surrounding countryside attended them. Most of the schools were lost to consolidation in the the 60s, and the high schools were razed sometime in the ensuing decades, leaving only the old gyms as the final reminder of the traditions and heritage that one stood there proudly. Over time, many of these gyms begin to fall into some state of disrepair before a group of like-minded individuals take it upon themselves to roll up their sleeves and reclaim the history that they hold so dear. Most of these individuals have a deep, personal connection to the gym. Usually they attended the school or lived in the town their whole lives. They recognize that these gyms are more than just a place where these small communities can still gather together (though they are great for that), they are a place that connect the community to their roots that run deep in the Indiana ground. I had the pleasure of meeting a couple just like this in Bryant who are keeping the lights burning brightly in honor of the Owls who have inhabited the local gym since 1952.
Crystal Laux is the trustee of Bearcreek Township in Jay County, and her husband Tom is the recording secretary of the Bryant Area Community Center which is the official title of the old Bryant gym. Together they make up the team responsible for keeping up the gym and surrounding grounds. They were kind enough to give me the grand tour, and I describe it as grand because what they've done to the place is nothing short of it. You can tell every inch of it is meticulously cared for. While it may not "wow" you visually like some other gyms from this era, they've done an incredible job of modernizing it for its current uses while maintaining the original charm of the place. The Bryant Owls played their games in this venue from 1952 until they faced consolidation in 1975. During their time here they managed to win two Hartford City sectionals which was no small feat. Mrs. Laux attended the school herself during this time and played in the band. She was kind enough to show me the huge, original drum that was played at basketball games along with a picture from one of those sectional championships. The drum is one of the coolest pieces of memorabilia I've found at any gym I've visited so far. They brought both of these items out for me to see up on the stage, which also gave an amazing view of the rest of the gym.
The view from the stage gives you a direct sightline to the opposite baseline wall which is painted mostly white except for a band of blue around the bottom that reaches about five feet up the wall. There isn't much adorning the walls, but the roofline gives it a neat look as it curves ever so slightly across the top of the wall. There is an exit to the foyer of the gym which contains the original ticket booth and concession stand window. The blue Bryant "B" is stamped onto the epoxy floor here as well. Back in the gym you'll find two sideline sections that vary drastically. One side looks very similar to the aforementioned baseline wall. There isn't anything on the walls other than HVAC units, but there is an exit that used to connect the gym to the original high school that now just leads outdoors. The opposite sideline has a set of removable metal bleachers that run a little past half court. Right next to it is a large kitchen that was added so the gym can truly act as a community center and be used for a wide variety of events. According to Kyle Neddenriep's essential book Historic Hoosier Gyms, this side of the gym used to have 12 rows of bleachers while the opposing side had 4. They've long since been removed for the addition of the kitchen and extra space for activities. The gym does feel long and narrow, so while I always lament the loss of original bleachers, I do understand the need to make these gyms functional to serve their current purposes that ultimately keep them alive.
The gym floor and ceiling are both worth pointing out when observing the gym from the stage as well. Historic Hoosier Gyms also notes that the hardwood floor was actually added a few years after the gym was built because the original floor was made of tile which caused a multitude of problems. The hardwood surface is still in good shape now, though the court is noticeably a few feet short width-wise as the three point lines get cut off a bit in the corners. The ceiling is slightly arched and held up by some massive wooden crossbeams that look infallible in their strength. It provides a neat perspective for anyone gazing skyward. The high point of the gym is definitely the stage itself. It sits prominently behind the baseline basket with the American flag hanging above it. I actually got to go up on the stage which I don't normally do in places that have them. Mrs. Laux pointed out that the floor up on the stage is original, and you can tell from the worn and weathered patterns left by years of performances by a wide variety of acts. The original blue scorer's table sits at the back as well which was neat to see. Below the stage are the original locker rooms which are used for various purposes. Adjacent to the stage is a room that Mrs. Laux has turned into her township trustee's office which I thought was an incredible and fitting use for the space. Every part of this gym is used for a purpose, and you can tell that's intentional. Even though it doesn't host high school basketball games anymore, it continues to serve the community today just as it always has.
As my guides showed me around and told me about all the different events the Bryant gym is used for today, what they've done to get it to this point, and the plans they have for the future, I couldn't help but be floored by the determination that they, along with other community members, have shown in keeping the gym a staple of life in this town of 237 people. In the foyer of the gym is a wall recognizing all the residents over the years who have been a part of making it what it is today. With people like Mr. and Mrs. Laux leading the way, I have no doubts this legacy will continue to live on. Bryant and Pennville are only two out of eight former high schools in Jay County that have surviving gyms. It's a part of the state often overlooked when talking about the legend of Hoosier Hysteria, but over the past year the basketball roots of this county have left a mark on me that I won't soon forget.
