Iowa One Room Schools: Campton School, Lamont, IA

ORIGINS

I grew up in a small Ohio town and I rode the school bus from 1st through 12th grades. My bus ride always included a country road on which every school day we saw a one-room brick school house. (SW corner of Stine Rd and Enon-Xenia Pike). As the years went by I watched this wonderful, familiar friend fall apart. After I married the school really began to deteriorate. Every time we visited the area I would want to take a photo of the school but never did. Finally, when we went specifically for the task, the school was gone. It was a huge loss for me and, since that time, whenever we pass a one-room school it is a joy to stop to take a picture or two. Thus, our collection here and the blog with schools in other states. Jill :oD

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Campton School, Lamont, IA

We found this school on the northeast corner of Buchanan-Delaware county line road and County Route CR64, which was really about 3 miles east of Lamont. The school says "museum" on it, but when we pushed the door open to look in, it was quite a shambles and everything was covered in dust, so it's been a while since it was even a museum.

8 comments:

Unknown said...: I'm sorry that you did not know who to get in touch with concerning this particular school. The man that owns the building is Mike Cook. It is not really a museum in the traditional sense, but there is a museum in Lamont that Mike also owns. Mike has taken the time and money to preserve the school, and it is open so people can go inside. You might be able to contact Mike Cook at his address: 1473 Washington Ave. Lamont IA 50650; August 10, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Glenn E. Chatfield said...: Well, we didn't really have time to search for owners, etc. I had just played for a wedding in Masonville and was all dressed up in my kilt and formal wear, but we'd heard about this school so I figured since we were in the area we may as well get a shot of it.
Thanks for the info.; August 10, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Glenn E. Chatfield said...: GOREDNU,

Thanks much for your story.

We too find it sad the way these remnants of the past are so neglected.; January 31, 2014 at 8:39 AM
Ellen Francois said...: We mow the lawn around this little school house and help keep the grounds picked up and trees trimmed. The neighbor has planted flowers and faithfully weeds and tends them. Down the road a farmer donated the money to have the sills replaced on all the windows. Mike Cook has put together a history and photos of the area and, with help, moved 4 old time railroad markers there. I wish you would be happy to see the school/former grandparents home standing instead of ignoring the hard work that has gone into it's upkeep and commenting how "sad" it is.; August 1, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Anonymous said...: There was a Free Will Baptist Church in Campton before another was built in Lamont. Does anyone know the location. Think I remember my grandmother saying it was near the school. Relatives are Davidson and Popham.; January 4, 2024 at 8:23 AM
Anonymous said...: We happened upon this little school today and I couldn't have found a cuter treasure! I love; October 13, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Can anyone tell me a little history of the school?; October 13, 2024 at 6:38 PM
Glenn E. Chatfield said...: You might try connecting with Mike Cook as mentioned in the first comment above.; October 14, 2024 at 10:04 AM