Cherry Creek One-room Schoolhouse 1872, Cherry Creek Ghost Town, Cherry Creek, NV

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Cherry Creek One-room Schoolhouse 1872

Cherry Creek Ghost Town

White Pine County Road 21

Cherry Creek, Nevada  89301

Built in 1872, the Cherry Creek School is one of the two oldest standing schoolhouses in the State of Nevada. At one time, Cherry Creek was the largest town in White Pine County, and at the peak of its prosperity had an estimated population of 6,000, and there were 56 students in attendance—hard to imagine in a one room schoolhouse.  The original Cherry Creek School is one of the town’s two oldest structures.  In November of 1894, a dispute between Pat Green and Pat Dolan about the school’s location turned violent when Dolan killed Green in a gunfight. In 1901, a kerosene lantern that had been inadvertently filled with gasoline exploded, burning several nearby buildings and nearly destroying the schoolhouse, which rebounded to serve the community until 1941.

     Classes were last held in the school in 1941 and the building was subsequently used as a post office until 1971. In 1994, the building was acquired by Walter Campbell in 1994 and was converted into a museum that is open by appointment. The Cherry Creek Museum is a white building, and will be a few blocks into town, on the left hand side of the road. For a robust look into Cherry Creek’s past, this is just the ticket, housing artifacts from American Indians who first occupied the area, to Pony Express Station artifacts, mining artifacts, relics important to everyday life in early Cherry Creek, and of course original mementos from the schoolhouse itself. In its heyday, Cherry Creek was home to two clothing stores, five mercantile stores, and twenty-eight saloons.  Today, there are around 20 permanent residents in Cherry Creek.

Harmony School, District #53, Otoe County, Nebraska City, NE

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Harmony School, District #53, Otoe County

6265 Q Rd.

Nebraska City, Nebraska

Located in rural Otoe County, NE, near Nebraska City, the original Harmony School District #53, began operating in 1869.  A new school building, the current beautiful Carpenter Gothic-style country one-room schoolhouse, was constructed in 1879.  It is the longest operating one-room schoolhouse in the state. The building was used for its intended purpose for an amazing 118 years before it finally closed its doors for good in 1997. It is now privately owned. On July 22, 2005, Harmony School was added to the National Register of Historic Places.  The Harmony School is significant for its association with rural education in Nebraska.

Stark School House, Nine Mile Community Center, Huson, MT

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Stark School House

Nine Mile Community Center

25620 Nine Mile Rd.

Huson, MT 59846

     Local citizens of Huson, Montana, take a lot of pride in a local historic structure, the Stark Schoolhouse. Stark Schoolhouse was built in 1915 for the children living in the rural area in west-central Montana and served as the valley’s school until 1949, when it was deeded to the community and became a community center.  The Stark community thrived in the late 1880s and early 1900s as a mining camp and grew further during that time when the Anaconda Company located its logging operations there.  Once the logging operations left the area, Stark’s population dwindled from more than 500 to just over 60 in the 1930s. The Nine Mile Stark School House is maintained to benefit and serve the community and is available to be used for community, religious, educational, literary, charitable, and social group functions and events, such as a holiday craft fair, Christmas Eve gatherings, and educational programs.

     In 1995, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  At present, there are more than 600 area families that use the Stark Schoolhouse as the Nine Mile Community Center.  Since 2014, the center has received three History Foundation grants.  The first was used to install new storm windows.  A second grant in 2016 allowed for repairs to the fieldstone foundation essential to the school’s sustainability.  In 2020, a third grant went towards revitalizing the exterior of the building with repairs and a complete repainting. Each of the History Foundation grants have been a catalyst for the Nine Mile Community Center to receive more private donations, which have further helped with maintenance of the Stark Schoolhouse.  Beyond that, the community pride has continued to grow as well.  These renovations will allow local citizens to continue hosting community gatherings at the Stark Schoolhouse and appreciating the historic architecture and significance of the building.

Story’s Creek School, Eminence, MO

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Story’s Creek School

State Route 106

Eminence, Missouri  65466

Located deep in the Missouri Ozarks in Shannon County, Alley Spring was a small community settled in the early the 1830’s and 1840’s. In 1894, the mill that still stands here was built by a local speculator, George Washington McCaskill and his business partner, Jenoah H. Whitacre, whose names are still seen engraved on the siding next to the entrance. Story’s Creek one-room schoolhouse is located within walking distance of Alley Mill, six miles west of Eminence, Missouri, on State Route 106. A visit to Story’s Creek School on the grounds of the Alley Mill allows a glimpse of a time gone by. The little white, one room school house is an image of pioneer education near and dear to most Americans. It exemplifies a simpler time, a time when life was less stressful and education more effective.  The Story’s Creek Schoolhouse was built in 1896 on the Sam Smith farm about four miles northwest of Eminence. Story’s school in 1903 had an enrollment of 42 students and was used until 1957 when the local school district was consolidated. Church services were also held at the schoolhouse.

     Unpainted log schools were the first on the vast frontier, followed by clapboard structures, some painted, some not. When they were painted, white was the most common color, but almost any color one can imagine was applied to some school somewhere. Missouri had strict regulations about the color of the schools. White was mandatory for all wooden schools, except log ones of course. The interiors had to be painted a light blue. One room school houses were in widespread use in rural Missouri until 1957, when they were consolidated with town school districts. In the Missouri Ozarks, consolidation took place around the end of the 1950s, with many one room schools operating into 1959. They continued in use in some areas until the very recent past.

     Today, Alley Mill and Alley Spring are part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and are operated by the National Park Service. The Mill is operated as an Ozarks history museum. The one room schoolhouse stands on the grounds of Alley Mill and was used until 1957 when the local school district was consolidated. The school was later donated to the state by Edna Staples, granddaughter of Sam Smith, and was moved to Alley Spring Park in 1971.  The grounds are always open and may be visited year round, but access into the school is limited. The building is open on summer weekends, from the last week in May through the first week in September on Friday and Saturday, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by request.

Evanston School, Lucedale Municipal Park, Lucedale, MS

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Evanston School

Lucedale Municipal Park

447 Park St.

Lucedale, MS 39452

A small town park that’s bound to make a big impression, Lucedale Municipal Park in Lucedale, MS, is the perfect destination.  Not only does it include playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts, splash pads, pavilions, and BBQ grills, but it’s also home to Evanston School, a historic schoolhouse. Built around 1880, it’s George County’s oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse.  Built prior to the creation of George County, it was originally located on the Jackson/Greene County line and as such, was often referred to as County Line School.  The school operated until 1924, and by 1969, it was moved to its current location, where it seemed destined to fall into ruin.

     Fortunately, in 2008, a group of locals organized a restoration effort to save the school and establish it as a historic site. The process took four years, and on April 21, 2012, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the school’s reopening.  The schoolhouse is now open for tours, by appointment only, offering a unique peek into the past.  As charming as one would expect, the schoolhouse is filled with period-appropriate furnishings and accessories.  A wood heater, lantern, 48-star flag, McGuffey readers, Blueback spellers, and arithmetic books are just a few of the things which are found inside.

One Room School House, Rock County Fairgrounds, Luverne, MN

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One Room School House

Rock County Fairgrounds

593-699 S. Freeman Avenue

Luverne, MN 56156

The One Room School House found at the Rock County Fairgrounds located in Luverne, Minnesota, is a replica of the original District 1 school house located one mile north of the Iowa border and two miles south of Ash Creek. The building represents the early days of education. As late as the 1940’s Rock County had over 75 schools which included many one room facilities. Minnesota law stated that no student should have to travel more than three miles to get to school.  Many times one teacher taught all eight grades. Each summer there was a graduation service for those finishing eighth grade. Today Rock County has two public schools and one Christian school.  The Fairground Buildings are open every year during the Rock County Fair.

Sheldon Brick School, Canton, MI

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Sheldon Brick School

Michigan Avenue – US 12

Canton, MI

Canton, MI, was established in 1825 adjacent to the Sauk Trail (Michigan Avenue), as Sheldon Corners (Michigan and Sheldon roads). Most of Canton’s settlers came from New England with its strong emphasis on education. Along with their convictions, the Territorial Council of 1827 ruled that any township consisting of 50 or more families must employ one or more school masters of “good standing” to teach the “three R’s.” There were nine schools built in Canton, usually at a crossroad. They were located so that they were accessible to children walking to school. The first schools were primitive log structures, one of the first being in Cherry Hill. Later, brick or frame schools replaced them. The schools were often used as community centers for the surrounding area for religious services and nonprofit shows.  Teachers were hired for a specific number of weeks to teach and often boarded with local families.

     Each school was a “district” and had its own school board. Families in each area worked together to build and equip the school, paying a “tax” for each child that attended and donating a cord of firewood for the school stove. The center spawned a small village made up of a number of homes, post office, general store, blacksmith, church, and school. Today a few of the historic structures remain–The Inn, the school, and a few homes. Three of the original nine schools remain: Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill and Ridge, Sheldon School (Michigan and Sheldon), Hough School (Old Haggerty and Warren). Canton owns the completely restored Sheldon Brick School, a classic one-room school house, typical of its era. It was built in 1870 and was annexed to Wayne Public School in 1954. It is still used today as an educational site. Sheldon is listed as a Michigan State historic site.

The Captain Robert Fuller House 1707, Needham, MA

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The Captain Robert Fuller House 1707

3 Burrill Lane

Needham, MA

In the early days of Needham, MA, children were taught by a traveling minister, so they would be able to read the Bible. These classes were held in Captain Robert Fuller’s house, today the oldest house in Needham.  Captain Robert Fuller fought in the Revolutionary War. His house was started in 1707 and completed in 1713. It is believed to be the oldest house standing in Needham. The Fuller house is a saltbox. A saltbox is a frame house with two stories in the front and one in the back. The front of the house is flat with a rear roof line that has a very steep slope, almost to the ground. Originally the house was thought to have 2 rooms on each floor, one on each side of a huge chimney which has now been removed from the house.

     While the house was being built it is believed that the rooms were used as a parsonage – a residence provided by the church for the minister and family. Religious services may have been held in the house, and a Harvard man came each weekend to preach. He paid Captain Fuller six cents to feed him and his horse for the weekend.  The first church services were held in the original house, and in 1766 it was used as a school, “the school for the Centre.” There were 6 generations of Robert Fullers who lived in this house. It is still there at 3 Burrill Lane.

The Little Red School House 1842, Needham MA

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The Little Red School House 1842

Needham Historical Society

1147 Central Avenue

Needham MA

In the 1840s, one-room schools were opened in Needham, MA.  The first schools were called “oxcart schools” because they were a small building placed on a cart and pulled by oxen. The school was pulled to the places where the most students lived. Children only went to school for four weeks, then the school moved on to a new location. Inside the school there was a wood stove in the center with chairs arranged around it.  Each school had one teacher who lived with a family in town. The classroom was filled with students of all ages and grades. Every child had schoolhouse chores such as bringing in firewood, cleaning slates, and clapping chalk-filled erasers. On very cold days, children would carry a baked potato in their pockets to keep their hands warm. 

     The Little Red Schoolhouse was built in 1842 for $474 and is Needham’s only surviving one-room school. Originally it was the Upper Falls School House and was located at 278 Central Ave. before it was moved to its current location at the Needham Historical Society’s complex in 2005. The school house was one room with the teacher’s desk on the opposite side of the room from the door. The wood stove was in the middle of the room with benches for the girls on the left and the boys on the right.  Today 3rd graders spend an authentic school day at the Little Red Schoolhouse. They assume the persona of a real student from 1850 and practice lessons in reading, arithmetic, memorization, elocution, and penmanship. Many students say that this was one of their favorite memories from third grade.

Mt. Zion One Room School Museum, Furnace Town Historic Site, Snow Hill, MD

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Mt. Zion One Room School Museum

Furnace Town Historic Site

3816 Old Furnace Rd

Snow Hill, MD  21863

The Mt. Zion One Room School is a historic U.S. school.  This authentic one-room schoolhouse was built in 1869 near Whiton, Maryland, where it was used by the community as a school until 1931. It then stood empty for nearly 30 years before Superintendent Dr. Paul Cooper had the building moved to Ironshire Street at the intersection with Church Street in Snow Hill, Maryland.  In 1964, it was furnished with 19th century furnishings and was opened to the public as a museum. In 2012, the Worcester County Historical Society began the ambitious endeavor of moving this one-room schoolhouse from its former location on Ironshire Street in Snow Hill to its current location at the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum. 

     The idea to move the school to Furnace Town came from Board member, Barry Laws after a visit to Sanabelle Island, where there’s an old village like Furnace Town.  He thought that the schoolhouse would generate more interest if it was located with a larger historical museum.  Furnace Town was in operation between 1828 and 1850 and the building structure was very similar to those at Furnace Town.  The one-room schoolhouse was only attracting 300-400 visitors per year at its Ironshire location, compared to the Furnace Town Museum which sees nearly 15,000 visitors a year.  After raising $95,000, the Historical Society began the 15 mile and 5 hour journey of the move on November 12, 2015.  The roof was removed and the building was jacked up and placed on a flatbed trailer for the haul to its new location at the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum located on Old Furnace Road off Route 12, 5 miles north of Snow Hill.

     Upon its arrival at Furnace Town, the roof was reinstalled, a foundation was built, and it was once again furnished as it would have appeared in 1869. In 1905, there were 110 one-room schoolhouses in Worcester County. Today there are only two which are open to the public. The other is the Sturgis One-Room School in Pocomoke City.  The Mt. Zion One Room School Museum preserves how a school looked during the early 20th century by showcasing typical items found in a classroom during that period and demonstrates to students and visitors how their forebears were taught in the days of one room schools.  Donations of 19th century texts and furnishings make a visit to the school a leap back in time. McGuffy readers, quill pens, inkwells slates and a water bucket are in place just as if the students had been dismissed yesterday.  To see the schoolhouse, visitors can find it at the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum at 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill, MD.