The Irwin Consolidated School in Irwin, Iowa was opened for classes in the fall of 1918. The cornerstone dates the building as being built in 1917 by William F. Gernandt, Architect of Omaha, Nebraska. It was built to replace a wooden structure and a number of country schools and to be able to add courses to the curriculum. The building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are a number of buildings by William F. Gernandt. The building is of brick construction with many sandstone and art deco features. It is quite ornate in comparison to other school buildings built in the area and of that time period. The school to this date still has much of the original oak woodwork, doors and cabinetry.