THE MICHIGAN ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE ASSOCIATION

Durkee

Berlin

Ionia

S/27

27

Geological Survey 1917

Wilkinson #8

Keene

Ionia

By 1880

Near Kyser Rd & Grand River Ave

20

#8 had 49 students on the 1880 Annual School Report. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties

Vance #11

North Plains

Ionia

After 1880-1941

NE corner of Hubbardston & Colony Rds, Lebanon Township

23

The district merged with Pewamo in 1941

Blanchard #5

Orleans

Ionia

NW corner of Hayner & Peterson Rds

34

Goodwin #4

Easton

Ionia

by 1860

Inside square of Kent County line, Johnson, Ellison & McKendry Rds

7

Annual School Report for 1879 shows district #4 with an enrollment of 80 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties

North Plains #3

North Plains

Ionia

May 4, 1844

Previously Lyons #7f

32

Mud Street #10

Berlin

Ionia

SW corner of of Bennett & Bliss Rds near Saranac

18

School built by Dorotha Young's grandfather, Ralph Youngs

Keene #6

Keene

Ionia

Jan 21, 1846

Sections 35, and parts of 36, 34, 33, 26, 27, 4, 3, and 6.

Hartwell #7

Berlin

Ionia

1872

Intersection of Davis Hwy & Eddy Rd

5

B

Orleans #2

Orleans

Ionia

May 2, 1846

16

District #2 will include sections 16, 17, and 18. Board of School Inspectors of Orleans

Keene #5

Keene

Ionia

June 13, 1842

Sections 28, 29 and 30.

Orleans new #1

Orleans

Ionia

Nov 30, 1848

New District #1 was Districts 1 and 3 consolidated and called #1 with sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 30 and some of 22, 27, 29

Termaine Corners

Orange

Ionia

S/18

18

Geological Survey 1917

Hubbardston

North Plains

Ionia

1858-

Village of Hubbardston located in NE corner of Ionia County

12

W/B

First school was built in 1858. Second school in 1868. In 1879, a new two-story brick school was built according to Michigan Shadow Towns. Fine brick school-building now used by the district. Cost $5,500. Average attendance is about 150. Principal and two teachers

Odessa #1

Odessa

Ionia

1847

Board of School Inspectors for Odessa

Received payment. In 1848 books were purchased fo $35.00

Carpenter

Sebewa

Ionia

S/32

32

Was a residence

Otisco #5

Otisco

Ionia

Aug 29, 1846

13

District #5 will be sections 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, E half of 14 and the part of 22 lying E of the Flat River

Coleman #3f

Orange

Ionia

circa 1880

SE corner Sunfield Rd & Grand River Ave

1

Log

In 2024 a residence

Waterville #5

Boston

Ionia

Near intersection of Morrison Lake & Peck Lake Rds, N of Grand River Ave

14

Baldwin/Johnson #7

Sebewa

Ionia

N side of Musgrove Rd & W of Kimmel Rd

20

No longer standing. Called both Baldwin School and Johnson School

Tasker #6

Keene

Ionia

Jan 21, 1846

SW side of Saranac Village

11

W

District #6 opening date from History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties

County Line #9f

North Plains

Ionia

By 1880-1956

Bricker Rd between O'Brien & Beahan Rds

3

District #9f in 1880 on Annual School report had 70 students enrolled. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. County Line merged with Hubbardston in 1956. Later they all merged with Carson City Schools

Odessa first school

Odessa

Ionia

1846

Built at Russell's Corners

School records for Odessa Township are sketchy

Portland City School #3

Portland

Ionia

1837-continuous

City of Portland

33

-1946

Michigan State University. Portland Grange #174 p. 72. The Slate Fall 2009

Boston

Boston

Ionia

1879

School Inspectors Report for 1879

Districts 1, 2, 3f, 4, 5f, 6, 7f, 8f, and 9. 657 total students

Orleans #3

Orleans

Ionia

W side of Orleans Rd, S of M-44

21

Michigan State University. Orleans Center Grange #1875 p. 72

Orleans #4

Orleans

Ionia

Feb 7, 1857

33

District #4 included sections 33, 34, some of 32, 29, 27 and 28

Spaulding/Townsend #4

Lyons

Ionia

closed in 1941

NE corner of Spaulding Rd & Dexter Trail, S of Pewamo

25

This district consolidated with Pewamo in 1941

Dye #10

Ronald

Ionia

SE corner of Woodward Lake & Jones Rds

7

Merged with Palo

Bippley/Odessa Center/Odella Center #7f

Odessa

Ionia

by 1878

NE corner of Bippley & Hardwood Rds, near Clinton Trail

15

Was also known as Odella Center. In 1878 Annual School Report said #7f had 51 students. History of Ionia & Montcalm Counties. After the school closed it was a residence but it is now gone

Ionia Village

Ionia

Ionia

1834-1875

The very first school taught by Dr. Lincoln in his office. He was the pioneer physician of the county. Dr. W. B. Lincoln built the first frame house in Ionia (City) in 1834. His was also the first wedding on July 5, 1835. In autumn of 1835 was the first public school. In 1836 taught the summer in Ionia. Schoolhouse #1. Baptist Church met there in 1837. Methodist also met in Village schoolhouse around 1840ish. In 1880 there was a H.S. in Ionia and 3 Ward Schools (4 wards in Ionia) School #1 on Main St, W of Dexter in 1837. In 1843 voted to build a new schoolhouse, but argued over location so it wasn't until 1848 that a site was chosen. A One-story school burned-down soon after it was finished. Another school was built on the same site. In 1855 the tax was 99 cents per child on 211 children. In 1864 another school was built and in 1875 a school in West Ward was built. Ionia Internet

Danby #4

Danby

Ionia

Sep 2, 1854

9

Included other sections

Kemp/Cole/Cowles #4f

Otisco/Keene

Ionia

1868-1962

A residence at 1007 Belding Rd? Not sure

25

W

See Cole School. In 1943 consolidated with Belding Schools. Schoolhouse sold in 1970, possibly for a residence on Belding Rd

Stone #8f

Ionia

Ionia

by 1860

In a square of Stone, Olmstead, & Westbrook Rds by the Ronald Township line

1

Marble #5

Keene

Ionia

Jun 13, 1842-1964

S side of Richmond Rd & 1/4 W of Marble Rd

17

W

District #5 opening date and in 1880 there was enrollment of 41 students from History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. Annexed to Belding in 1968

Matherton #5f

North Plains

Ionia

May 4, 1844-1965

Located in Matherton Village

27

Opening date of #5f and 1880 enrollment from Annual School Report of 41 students from History of Ionia & Montcalm Counties. Fractional with Lebanon Township, Clinton County. Located in Village of Matherton. Merged with Pewamo-Westphalia in 1965

North Plains first school

North Plains

Ionia

Shanty on and owned by Hector Hayes

Teachers: Sarah Sangster, Mary Lovell, Amos Foster, and Jane Baker

Muir #10

Lyons

Ionia

after 1942

Muir Village

17 & 18

Muir was a part of the Lyons School before breaking of to form their own district. Muir H.S. attracted students from Hayes, Schaeffer and Ross Schools. Muir then joined with Lyons to form the Lyons Township Unit Schools in 1942. It later merged with Ionia

Lambertson #1

Orleans

Ionia

Wheeler at Chadwick Corners. Just E of Belding

8

W

Abandoned home. Photo in gallery

Dildine #3

Easton

Ionia

Sept 22, 1843

At Dildine & Bellamy Rds near Spring Brook Creek Rd

10

District #3 opening date from History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. When the school closed it was purchased and converted into a residence

Green #7f

Orleans

Ionia

NW corner of Kiddville & Orleans Rds

18

Badder #6

Ionia

Ionia

by 1860-June 1971

Corner of Clyde and Kingston Rds

28

1878 Annual School Rep says #5 had 66 students. Awarded Standard School of Merit in 1916. Annexed to Ionia June 1971. History of Ionia & Montcalm Counties

8

Lyons

Ionia

by 1839

8

Christian Bent #4

Portland

Ionia

W side of Johnson Rd, 14 miles S of Seeley Rd

17

Merged with Portland Schools

Odessa Center #7f

Odessa

Ionia

Near Bippley and Clinton Trail

15

See listing for Bippley. After school closed it was a residence, but is now gone. School had 3 different names

Boston #1f

Boston

Ionia

Apr 9, 1838

3 square miles in area. Parts in more than 1 section

19

(Was originally District #4 of Ionia Township) In 1847 there were 27 scholars

Smyrna #2

Otisco

Ionia

by 1860

SE corner of Button & Whites Bridge Rds

28

Original school was in S/21 in Smyrna

Otisco #2

Otisco

Ionia

May 16, 1840

1

District #2 will be sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12

Ross #2

Lyons

Ionia

N side of Ross Rd between Struble & Crandall Rds

4

Currently belongs to and used by Ionia School District

Odessa #6

Odessa

Ionia

Mar 15, 1861

District #6 organized by Board of School Inspectors of Odessa

Keene #3

Keene

Ionia

Jun 13, 1842

Sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36

Village of Portland

Portland

Ionia

1879

W

Village has 3 schools. All are wooden-frame. Largest is Union H.S. Soon to be replaced by a larger brick building. 455 students and 7 teachers. Annual School Report for Village of Portland Schools

Baker #7

North Plains

Ionia

By 1880

NW corner of McKenna and Hayes Rds

6

District #7 on 1880 Annual School Report shows 41 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. At some point merged with Carson City School District. Status of schoolhouse unknown

Pearsall #8f

Boston

Ionia

1860

M-21 (Blue Water Hwy) & White's Bridge. RR tracks there too

21

Hubbardston #8f

North Plains

Ionia

Located in Village of Hubbardston

12

Fractional. 2 sections of Lebanon Township, Clinton County. At some point merged with Carson City. Status of schools unknown

Keene Districts

Keene

Ionia

1880

District #1 35 students; #2f 37; #3 37; #4f 35; #5 41; #6 67; #7 41; #8 49;#9 31. Total number of students in 1880 in twp: 373.

Moseley #4f

Keene/Kent County

Ionia

By 1880

Vergennes Township, Kent County

1880 Annual School Report show #4f with enrollment of 35 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties

Travis #8

Sebewa

Ionia

1868

SE corner of Sunfield & Clarksville Rds

11

Gibbs #4f

Portland

Ionia

merged Aug 1970

N side of Peck Lake Rd, 1/2 mile E of Keefer Rd

18

Fractional. Merged with Portland School in August 1970

Danby #1

Danby

Ionia

Nov 1, 1845

Made out of former Portland #7

23

In 1849 there were 36 scholars

Ronald Center #3

Ronald

Ionia

NW corner of Luce Rd & Powell Hwy

16

Merged with Ionia. Michigan State University. Ronald Grange #192 p. 73

Randall #11

Berlin

Ionia

Near intersection of Grand River Ave & Bliss Rd

19

Saranac #3

Boston

Ionia

Aug-1873

Village of Saranac

B

Imposing brick building two-stories and a basement. District #3 included a portion of Boston. In 1879 there were 303 students enrolled

Riker #9

Orange

Ionia

annexed August 1969

S of Davis Hwy

11

W

In 1917 awarded Standard School Medal. Annexed to Portland August 1969. School was sold and converted into a residence

Baird #3

Odessa

Ionia

SE corner of Bippley and Bliss Rds

17 & 20

Original schoolhouse was in S/17 in the NE corner. Annual School Rep 1878 said #3 had 81 students. History of Ionia & Montcalm

Lyons #2

Lyons

Ionia

by 1839

28

The school inspectors report for #2, #3 & 34 could find nothing good to say about these schools. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties p. 232

High School #1

Sebewa

Ionia

S/24

24

CD 68/69. Fractional. MORSA

Odessa #1

Odessa

Ionia

1847

Received payment. In 1848 book were purchased fo $35.00. Board of School Inspectors for Odessa

Lyons #7

Lyons

Ionia

Oct 23, 1839

7

Campbell #2

Campbell

Ionia

Mar 14, 1854

19...

District #2 included sections 19, 20, 21, 28 and north halves of 29 & 30. #2 was changed to #3 in 1855

Odessa Center #7f

Odessa

Ionia

Near Bippley and Clinton Trail

15

See Listing for Bippley. After school closed it was a residence but it is now gone. School had 3 different names

Lockwood/Barr #6

Danby

Ionia

1887-

9945 Kent St, Portland. S side of Portland City

5

See listing for Barr School

Murphy #11

Lyons

Ionia

closed in 1930's

W side of Murphy Rd at Dexter Trail

21

The school district closed in the 1930's and merged with Lyons School District

Prison #1

Easton

Ionia

Very near Ionia State Reformatory near Yeoman & Hayner Rds

24

In 1916 awarded Standard School Medal

Hall #6

Orleans

Ionia

N side of Hubbell Rd, E of Hoppough Rd

25

Original school was located in S/36 in SW corner of Hubbell & Hoppough Rds

Carr #9

Odessa

Ionia

by 1878

NW corner of Clarksville & Harwood Rds

2

1878 Annual School Report said Odessa #9 had 45 students for a total of 549 in Odessa Township. History of Ionia & Montcalm Counties p. 13

Benedict #5f

Berlin

Ionia

1870-1991

3981 State Rd (M-66)

1

W

This schoolhouse is no longer standing. Torn-down about 2008. Michigan State Board of Education. Notation about it being closed in 1991. Slate Fall 2003

Lambertson #1

Orleans

Ionia

W side of Johnson Rd, 14 miles S of Seeley Rd

31

Kilmartin #7

Orange

Ionia

SW corner of Portland & Millsead Rds

33

Knox #5f

Portland

Ionia

6014 Knox Rd (NE corner of Keefer & Knox Rds)

31

Fractional. When school closed it was sold as a residence which later burned-down

Orleans #6

Orleans

Ionia

May 16, 1857

25

District# 6 will included sections 25, 26 and some of 24

Portland First School #1

Portland

Ionia

1837

Shanty

First teacher: Miss Jenny Berry, William R. Churchill who taught in a shanty

Keene #2

Keene

Ionia

Keene #4

Keene

Ionia

Sections 13,14,15,22,23, and 24.

North Plains #8

North Plains

Ionia

Oct 1856

Village of Hubbardston attends North Plains Township #8

Belding #9

Otisco

Ionia

Located in City of Belding

11

#6

Orange

Ionia

1870-1994

NE corner of Davis Hwy & S State Rd, M-66

5

See also under Ionia

Palo #1

Ronald

Ionia

-2013

K-8 district. Closed in 2013. Annexed to Carson Crystal

Halladay/Blue #6

Sebewa/Danby

Ionia

1863-

NW corner of Tupper Lake & Keefer Rds

25

In 1875 located on NW corner of Tupper Lake & Keefer Rds. Moved in 1905. Also called Blue School as it was painted blue

Hardscrabble #5

Portland

Ionia

W Side of Steadman Rd, S of Van Vleck Rd

9 and 4

Original school was located in S/9. Merged with Palo

South Cass #4

Sebewa

Ionia

NE corner of Bippley & Shilton Rds

15

Sayles #2f

Keene

Ionia

Sayles, White Bridge & County Line

30

District #2f on 1880 Annual School Report had 37 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. After it closed it was moved 1/4 mile W and is now a residence

Campbell new #2

Campbell

Ionia

Mar 20, 1855

New district #2 included sections 3, 10, 15, 22, 4, 9, 16 and some of 11 and some of 3

Mattison #4

Ronald

Ionia

SE corner of Steadman & Charles Rds

28

Merged with Ionia

Beard

Odessa

Ionia

20

Geological Survey 1917

Stevens #7

Keene

Ionia

by 1860

NW corner of Rickert Rd

23

District #7 on 1880 Annual School Report had 41 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. Schoolhouse is no longer standing

Striped #9

Keene

Ionia

by 1880

W side of Higgins Rd, 1/4 mile S of Richmond Rd

15

District #9 on the 1880 Annual School Report had 31 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties. School is no longer standing

Sebawa High School #1f

Sebewa

Ionia

W side of Keefer Rd, 1/3 mile off of Bippley Rd

24

Annexed by Portland School. The schoolhouse after closure was probably sold as a residence

Easton #2

Easton

Ionia

Sep 22, 1843

Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and south halves of sections 7, 8, 31 and 32 that lay N of the Grand River. In 1846 there were 28 pupils

Easton Districts

Easton

Ionia

1879

District #1 had 80 students. #2- 67, #3- 62, #4- 80, #5- 51, #6- 65. Total 408 pupils