[2][3] Lyles Station reached its peak in the years between 1880 and 1912, when major structures in the community included a school, railroad depot, a post office, a lumber mill, two general stores, and two churches.

[4] By the turn of the twentieth century, Lyles Station had fifty-five homes and a population of more than 800 people; however, the farming community never fully recovered from the Great Flood of 1913, which destroyed much of the town.

Most of its residents left to find higher paying jobs and additional education in larger cities.

In 1928, the parents of 10 children at school, including Vertus Hardiman were approached by county hospital officials.

Many of the children wore wigs and hats to cover up the results of the experiments Lyles Stations's school was integrated once again in the 1950s; it closed in 1958 due to declining enrollment.

After decades of deterioration, fundraising efforts and additional grants provided the financial resources needed to restore the old building in 2003.

[7] When the National Register nomination form was prepared in 1998, the school had deteriorated but its building materials were original to the construction date.

The exterior was described as a two-story brick and wood building in the Prairie School style that featured a low, flat roof.

[9] Although most of Indiana's black rural settlements no longer exist as self-contained communities, Lyles Station continues.

The restored school building and the Wayman Chapel AME Church are two remaining points of interest in Lyles Station to remind residents and visitor of its heritage as one of Indiana's early rural black communities.