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

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Van Buren Township, Harmony School

This school was originally located 3 miles east of Croton.  It is now in Montrose Township directly across the street from the Summitville School on 243rd Ave.  It has been added on to as a residence.


Photographed 9/26/15

Montrose Township, Summitville School

Located at 3324 243rd Ave (Old US61/218), just south of 330th St., or about 3/4 mile north of County J82.  Has been added on to so much that it no longer looks like a school.

Photographed 9/26/15

Cedar Township, Bayles School

Also known as Pleasant Grove, used 1837 to 1913 (including earlier log building).  NW corner of the county at the NE corner of State Hwy 16 and 110th St, about 5 miles from Houghton on Hwy 16.  Has garage door on east side.

Photographed 9/26/15

Harrison Township, Saxe School

At 1678 130th Ave. Moved short distance after sold at auction.  A former student owns it now. It has several original pieces in it.  From junction of US218 and County Hwy J40, proceed west on J40 5 miles to 130th Ave, then turn south on 130th and proceed .7 mile; school on the east side of the road.


Photographed 9/26/15

Van Buren Township, Columbia School

At 1500 245th St.  According to Val Root, it was a 1-room frame building with a bell tower, and was associated with the underground railroad.  From Donnellson, proceed west on State Hwy 2 to 150th Ave.  Proceed south on 150th for two miles and the school is on the NE corner of 245th.  Derelict.

South side of building
West side of building
East side of building
Photographed 9/26/15

For more information about this school, see this page.  And here are old photos from Val Root:

Jackson Township, Eagle School

At 3619 Johnson St. Rd.  From Keokuk, intersection US61 and Carbide Lane, proceed west on Carbide about 3.7 miles to join Johnson St. Rd, then another 1 1/4 mile Johnson turns 90 degrees north for about 3/4 mile before turning east for about 1/4 mile then back north.  At that last turn north is the school on the corner.  Residence.

First photo is approaching from the west



Photographed 9/26/15

The following photo is provided via Val Root, and shows the school in service.

Jackson #2, Valley School

Built 1873.  At 3876 Valley Rd.  Has a Maypole still in the yard on the south side of the school.  From Keokuk intersection US61 and Johnson St. Rd. proceed west about 1.5 miles to Valley Rd.  Turn south on Valley and proceed 3/4 mile and the school will be on the east side of the road.  Abandoned.


Photographed 9/26/15

The following photo provided via Val Root shows the front of the school when it was still being used as a residence.

Jackson Township, Wende School

At 2496 Johnson St. Rd.  The original school was a log building directly north across the street, and called Allyn school because that was the name of the man who donated the school.  A man named Wende donated the land where the new school stands.  Originally a 2-story, it is used as a 1-story, the top floor having been removed to make high ceilings.  From Keokuk intersection US61 and Johnson St. Rd, proceed west about 1/2 mile.



Photographed on 9/26/15