Pioneer Sholes School, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, Saint Charles, IL

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The Pioneer Sholes School

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve

37W700 Dean St

Saint Charles, Illinois 60175

The Pioneer Sholes School in Saint Charles, Illinois, heralds back to a simpler time.   It is a one-room school house dating from 1872 that currently serves as a living history museum and classroom.  This school was originally located on David Sholes’ farm in Burlington Township, near the crossing of Burlington and Plato. According to an old map of Kane County, the first school on this site was built before 1860, though by 1872, the current building had been constructed.

     The Sholes land was then sold to Louis Schairer, who was heavily involved in school affairs. In the early 1900s, teachers would often board at the Schairer residence or teachers and students would warm themselves at the Schairer home when the school’s heating failed. The school served the neighboring areas until 1946-47, when Kane County started their school consolidation project. Over 135 small schools were closed down and their buildings converted to everything from chicken coops to residences.

     The Sholes School building was never converted.  It sat idle on Campbell’s land from 1947 until 1979 when Campbell donated it to the Kane County Forest Preserve in memory of his mother who had taught at the school in 1913-1915.  At that time, the Pioneer Sholes School Restoration Society formed to move and restore the building.  Because the building itself was in significant disrepair by late 1970’s, much work was required to return the building to its current state. 

    The following sources provided significant furnishings in the school.  The antique floor boards come from a barn near DeKalb.  The tin ceiling is from the old Leath Furniture Building in Aurora.  The blackboards are from the original Louise White School in Batavia.  The school bell in the cupola was donated in memory of Martha Campbell.  The sconces in the vestibule were given by descendants of David Sholes.

Pine Street Schoolhouse, Meridian, ID

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The Pine Street Schoolhouse

N. Meridian Road & W. Pine Avenue

Meridian, ID 83642

Patterned after a typical one-room schoolhouse, the Pine Street Schoolhouse building in Meridian, Ada County, ID, was constructed in 1920 by the Meridian Rural High School District and was used as a temporary classroom until the mid-1930s. In 1937, it was moved to the corner of Pine and Meridian and served as an elementary classroom until 1959 before being moved again and spending 30 years as a storage facility.  It was restored in 1993 to its 1920 appearance as a one-room schoolhouse for the City. The school it is now located back at the corner of Meridian and Pine Streets where it was used as classroom.

     The renovation of the Meridian One Room Schoolhouse was a living legacy project to commemorate the centennial of the city of Meridian. Longtime Meridian resident and former teacher, Betty Kussler, was the curator for the building for many years. She would open the building every Saturday for public tours. The Meridian School District now maintains the building. It can be opened by special request for school tours. Area schools use the building for heritage field trips.  The building houses artifacts, photos, and many stories for guests to enjoy while they journey back in time.

The South Lake School House, Lang Pioneer Village Museum, Keene, ON (Canada)

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The South Lake School House

Lang Pioneer Village Museum

104 Lang Rd.

Keene, ON K0L 2G0, Canada

Lang Pioneer Village Museum is a living history museum located in the hamlet of Lang near the town of Keene in Peterborough County, Ontario. It was established in 1967 by the County of Peterborough. Lang Pioneer Village is situated on the shores of the historic Indian River. At Lang Pioneer Village Museum, each day history is brought to life in an engaging way as visitors are welcomed into the 30 restored and recreated homes and businesses in the picturesque village. Costumed interpreters tell the pioneer story as they demonstrate traditional chores, trades, and pastimes. The visitor can see one of only a handful authentic Jacquard looms in North America, discover the authentic experience of the First Nations at Aabnaabin Camp, explore a working 170-year old Grist Mill, and so much more to xperience the sights, sounds and interpretations of life in the 1800s. The Museum is open daily from Father’s Day to Labor Day and seasonally for special events, rentals, and education programs.

     The South Lake School House at Lang Pioneer Village Museum was built in 1886 by settlers in South Lake Settlement, Belmont Township, north of Havelock. When it first opened, 40 students attended the school and were taught by Miss Maggie Mahood who taught all eight grades in the single room and remained teaching at the South Lake School for 20 years. The double desks made it possible for children to work together; the older and more advanced helped the younger. There were few resources. Slates were reusable and cheaper than paper and lent themselves to rote learning (learning by memorization through repetition). The teaching aids consisted of a few books, a blackboard, an abacus, and a map.    Due to the difficulties of travelling to school in rough weather, the school was closed during the winter months until 1919. Because of this, it is uncertain how many months of schooling students actually received per year.

     Discipline was at the discretion of the teacher. A leather strap hung under the portrait of Queen Victoria, as a reminder of the consequences of breaking school rules. There were also strict rules for the teachers. Male teachers could not get a shave or a haircut at the local barber, as the chair was often located in the barroom of the inn, an inappropriate example for the students. Female teachers made just under half the salary, for the same work, as male teachers and they could no longer teach after they married.  The teacher was also expected to undertake custodial duties. Each day, lamps were to be filled and cleaned and a bucket of water and scuttle of coal brought in for the day’s session. Teachers were expected to spend ten hours a day in the school and were rewarded with a wage increase of 25¢ per week after five years of faithful service.  This building served as a school until it was closed in 1958, only two years after electricity had been installed. The school was later moved to Lang Pioneer Village Museum where it has been restored to represent a one-room school house circa 1890.

The Old Hanalei Schoolhouse, Hanalei, HI

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The Old Hanalei Schoolhouse

5183 Kuhio Highway,

Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714

Located on the north shore of Kauai in the town of Hanalei, the Old Hanalei Elementary School, on Kuhio Highway in Hanalei, Hawaii, was a public elementary school of the Hawaii Department of Education. It formerly occupied a historic school building that was built in 1926. The old building was probably designed by Kauai County Department of Public Works employee John Waiamau. The school is significant as an example of school architectural design that emerged in the 1920s. Hanalei Elementary School is a single-story wood construction building consisting of five classrooms. The building features an inset lanai and a hipped-roof entry. The state of Hawaii’s State Department of Education was planning to demolish the 1926 school to make way for a new school building to be constructed on its site;

     The building was saved by the current owners, commercial developers who purchased the building and moved it to its new, current location, about half a mile down the Kuhio Highway in Hanalei.  The Old Hanalei Schoolhouse in Kauai, where each former classroom opens outside, has been reborn into fun shopping and dining, now houses several shops and a restaurant in the middle of Hanalei and is a popular area tourist area. More shops and restaurants are right across the street at the Ching Young Village. Food at Hanalei Gourmet restaurant located in the old Hanalei School is awesome. This building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Although the building has been moved, it is significant for its exemplification of a period and type of design and construction, and as an embodiment of the Department of Public Education’s expansion in Hanalei in the 1920s.

Pine Grove one-room school house, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds’ historic Pioneer Village, Hiawassee, GA

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Pine Grove one-room school house

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds’ historic Pioneer Village

1311 Music Hall Rd.

Hiawassee, GA   30546

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, which opened in 1978, is home to several popular events throughout the year including the Georgia Mountain Fair, Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In, Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Superstar concerts, and Georgia’s Official State Fiddlers’ Convention. Located on a 161-acre tact along the shores of Lake Chatuge in the north Georgia mountain community of Hiawassee, the Fairgrounds offers a glimpse into the past with its historic Pioneer Village, an expansive and comfortable music venue in the Anderson Music Hall, the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens, and 189 RV camp sites with lake views and modern conveniences.

     The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds’ historic Pioneer Village offers visitors the opportunity to learn about mountain life as it once was. Authentic and antique structures from the nearby area were permanently moved to the fairground in order to preserve the area’s rich history. During special events, visitors can tour a one-room schoolhouse, a general store, a blacksmith shop, a repair shop and an “old mountain home.” The Pioneer Village comes alive during select events with mountain-life activities of the past that include soap-making, moon shining, hominy making, and blacksmithing. The old Pine Grove one-room school house (circa early 1900s) was moved from the Scataway Creek area of Towns County to the Fairgrounds located in Hiawassee.

Stony Hill (Bath Township) School, Bath Township Historical Society, Akron, OH

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Stony Hill (Bath Township) School

Bath Township Historical Society

49 N. Hametown Rd.

Akron, OH 44333

The Stony Hill School is a historical landmark in the Montrose-Ghent area of Bath Twp., Summit County, Ohio.  Built in 1892 on an acre of land deeded from Laura McMillan, this was the newest and best equipped of the township’s nine one-room schoolhouses. McMillan’s only stipulation was that the land would revert back to her or her heirs upon the school abandoning the property. Its use as a school ended in 1921. When the district schools closed in 1923, Alex Fryman purchased Stony Hill School building for $175. Since Fryman was a grand nephew of Mrs. McMillan, the land was transferred for $1. During the 1940s three different families, including the Frymans, lived in the school building. A beekeeper also took up residence for a time. Later, Fryman’s son-in-law Eddie Stein used the old school as a tool shed. The Stony Hill Schoolhouse was listed with the National Register of Historic Places on June 11, 1979.  In 1980, Edward Stein and his wife, Alleen Fryman Stein deeded the schoolhouse, which is off Hametown Road, with an acre of land to the Bath Township Historical Society. The building has been restored and still stands today.

Silver Springs School, Silver River Museum, Ocala, FL

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Silver Springs School (1930-1964)

Silver River Museum

1445 NE 58th Ave.

Ocala, FL 34470

The Silver River Museum in Ocala, FL, provides unique hands-on learning opportunities for Marion County Public Schools students, staff and the general public. Visitors learn about the cultural and natural history of Florida, and the importance of protecting and conserving cultural and natural resources. Our primary mission is to educate Marion County Public School students about Florida history and science, and assist them in achieving the highest scholastic standards possible. Furthermore, we strive to promote good stewardship of our environment with the hope of providing a better tomorrow.

     The collection of Seminole buildings at the Silver River Museum is a recreation of a small traditional South Florida camp, where an extended family lived together. The kitchen and cook fire was the center of the camp. Individual “chickees” or houses, covering raised platforms, were for sleeping, sewing, and making crafts. Smoke form the cooking fire kept insects away during the day and mosquito nets were essential for sleeping at night.  These buildings were built by Seminole and Miccosukee craftsmen. Tribal members from South Florida use the camp each year during special events to teach visitors about traditional Seminole and Miccosukee culture and history. 

     African-American students attended classes at the Silver Springs School during segregation from 1930 to 1964. Few of these buildings remain and they are an important part of Florida History. The school was found with the original chalkboards, lights, bulletin boards, water pump and fire extinguisher. Several old textbooks and a student desk were also left behind by the last teacher.  Mrs. Bernice Bouillon and her family donated the building to Marion County Public Schools in 2005. The schoolhouse was moved to the museum grounds in 2006 and restored to reflect a segregation-era school dating to about 1945.

Pioneer Cracker Village Schoolhouse, Silver River Museum, Ocala, FL

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Pioneer Cracker Village Schoolhouse

Silver River Museum

1445 NE 58th Ave.

Ocala, FL 34470

The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center in Ocala, FL, is a program of Marion County Public Schools. The museum is located within the Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida, and works in close cooperation with the Florida Park Service.  The museum serves school groups Monday through Friday so it are closed to the public on weekdays. However, it welcomes and encourages the public to visit the Museum on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 am and 4 pm and invites people to join in one of the special educational events during the year.

     In 1987 a Christa McAullife Fellowship was awarded to then science teacher Guy Marwick to research the development of a museum and environmental education center within the public school system.  The concept was met with strong support from citizens, businesses, civic groups, the Marion County School Board, the Florida Legislature, the St. Johns River Water Management District and various state agencies. In 1991, the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center opened its doors to the students of Marion County.  The initial complex consisted of the museum main gallery and classrooms. Later additions include several exhibit wings to the museum, a lunch pavilion, a research library, a collection of pioneer “cracker” cabins, a one-room schoolhouse used by African-American students during segregation, and a wood-fired pottery kiln.

     The pioneer “cracker” village is a collection of buildings that portray life on the Florida frontier. The village is an assortment of historic and replica structures typical of the 1800’s and includes several cabins, a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, sugar cane mill and syrup kettle, wood-fired pottery kiln and a replica Seminole Indian camp.  The family of Freeman Godwin and numerous volunteers built the replica of a one-room pioneer schoolhouse and church. The building is built with rough sawn wood from a single large sand pine.  Children studied basics such as reading, writing and arithmetic and often walked miles a day to attend class. School was not required and classes were often scheduled around the planting and harvesting of crops. Buildings such as these also served as community meeting houses, seeing social gatherings on Saturdays, and church services on Sundays.

Florence Corners School, Florence, OH

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Florence Corners School

OH 113 at Division St.

Florence, OH

Florence Township is one of the nine townships of Erie County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Sandusky, Ohio metropolitan statistical area.  Florence Township was originally settled and established about 1808 or 1809 as “Jesup” Township, in honor of one of its original land-speculators; however, the township name was shortly later changed to “Florence” ( due to that land-owner having fallen into dis-favor with the pioneer-settlers who had purchased their farms from him). The township was then judicially independently organized in 1817.  There were few permanent settlers until after 1815.  There were no stores at Florence Corners until 1829-1830.  The township had few manufactures other than grist mills, saw mills, and cheese factories.

      The first school house was built in the 1850s at Sprague’s Corners on land owned by John Brooks, Sr., lot number thirty-seven, section four. The first teacher was Ruth Squire, daughter of Joab Squire, and afterwards wife of Erastus French, of Wakeman. The school derived its support from the parents of the scholars, who paid in proportion to the number sent. The school house was subsequently taken down, and rebuilt on the south side of the road. Adaline Squire, a sister of Ruth, who afterwards became the wife of John Brooks, Jr., was also one of the earliest teachers. The second school house built in the township was located half a mile west of Birmingham, and Rhoda Root kept the first school in it. Her practice of opening the school with prayer was the cause of some displeasure to a certain individual, and a school meeting was held on one occasion, to consider his grievance, which resulted in the teacher being sustained. A few years after, a school house was erected in the village of Birmingham.

     A frame school, which replaced the original school, burned in 1919 and was in turn replaced by a   stone school used until 1940.  The actual date when the building began to be used as the town hall is not known, but it was presumably before 1900.  The Florence Corners School is primarily significant for its octagonal shape for a one-room schoolhouse, and because of its construction material of sandstone ashlar.  The main octagonal roof is shingled, with the ridges of its pyramidal shape emphasized.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 19, 1975.

Woodland School House, Woodland Park, Seaford, DE

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Woodland School House

Woodland Park

27800-27868 Woodland Rd.

Seaford, DE 19973

A century ago, rural Sussex County, DE, was dotted with one-room schoolhouses, but few have survived the onslaught of time.  However, residents, relatives and friends who have connections to the village of Woodland are making sure the historic community’s school is not lost. The schoolhouse – used from around 1911 into the 1930s – was moved from its original location closer to Woodland and placed on the foundation of another house. Additions were built so that it was nearly impossible to see the original schoolhouse. It was converted into a clubhouse and pro shop for the former par-3 Woodland Park Golf Course near Woodland about five miles west of Seaford in the 1990s.

     The 40-acre golf course was purchased for $580,000 in 2010 by the county as a spoils site for the Nanticoke River dredge project. Twenty acres of the parcel were used to place spoils from the Nanticoke River dredging project in 2012. Another 20 acres was designated to be used as parkland.  In 2015, County council then approved $143,000 to construct the park. Over the summer of 2017, volunteers from the newly formed Woodland Schoolhouse Association forms started restoration of the schoolhouse.  Phase I was exterior work and Phase 2 involved restoration of the interior of the 15-by-20-foot structure. Volunteers put in more than 2,000 hours of work on the project and peeled away 30 tons of material to reveal the original schoolhouse.

     The goal is to restore the building to its old glory as a functioning schoolhouse. Plans are to offer educational programs and field trips especially for fourth-graders taking part in Delaware studies.   In 2018, Sussex County opened the new park. The 20-acre park with nearly a mile of trails, but with no ball fields, equipment, or active recreation, is open dawn to dusk.  The schoolhouse is located in the county park, just outside Woodland near the Nanticoke River about five miles west of Seaford.  It is not be a museum but a classroom to go back in time, a meeting place for the community, and the focal point of the park.