THE MICHIGAN ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE ASSOCIATION

Snow #7

Tyrone

Kent

1870 (Mary Brady)

SW corner 18 mile Rd & Barber Creek Dr.

27 or 22

W

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society Converted to residence. Kentmigenweb/directory 1870/tyrone. Mary Brady

Cooley #3

Grattan

Kent

Fractional; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

1st School

Cascade

Kent

1840

Near Cook's Corners

Log

Taught by Miss Matilda Hill. The log house built for that school was burned-down in a few years

Zinser #3

Walker

Kent

17

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

First School

Plainfield

Kent

1837

Erected on hill on Cornelius Friant's farm

23

Log/W

Destroyed by first in 1838 and another built in its place of logs. Soon a frame school was constructed. Then 3 schools were built in quite close proximity. One on the NE corner of Sec 25 and it ended up sold at auction, moved and became part of a family dwelling. School located on the NW corner of section 23 was moved and remodeled and used for a school a long time. The 3 districts were united in 1878 and the same school was used until 1928. Since the school population was now on the south side of the river a new school was built there. This was then called the D. W. Richardson school. Plainfield Charter p. 99

Collins

GR Township

Kent

1869-

Now on Fulton St

25

Two-room Collins School opened near Forest Hill Rd. The wooden-frame school was completed with a school bell. It is still being used for education. It is now a computer center for Forest Hills Senior Citizens. GR Township History p. 36 (Photos p. 37 & 38)

Fairview #12 or #11

Walker

Kent

NOR

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Sparta #8

Sparta

Kent

W side Peach Ridge Ave 1/4 mile N or 12 Mile Road

No longer standing.

Carl/ Little Red Schoolhouse #3

Ada

Kent

1859-1964

Originally at Carl Dr & Grand River Dr in ADA, Michigan

30

W

Originally named the Carl School at some point the 900 square foot wood school was painted red and renamed The Little Red Schoolhouse. Had 2 teachers. (History of Ken Co c. 1881 p. 494) In 1964 it was used as a flower shop. It was purchased in 2017, renovated and moved to River Street on the Thornapple River in Ada. See also Carl School entry. Books are available for purchase from Art tusch at atusch@sbcglobal.net. Also at the Country Store in Ada which is now the old school.

Plainfield #9f

Alpine

Kent

by 1858-

New fractional school district with Plainfield covering quite a bit of area.

36

W

Fractional with Withey. On a motion it was resolved that a fractional school district be formed of the following territory: S/36 and 25 of Alpine and all of 29, 3, 31 laying N of Grand River of Plainfield. Said district to be known and numbered as district (fractional) #9 of Alpine and Plainfield. 150 years of Alpine Township p. 25. Fractional #9f consists today as Comstock Park Public Schools. By tracking ist origins back to the Withey School, Comstock Park Public Schools have 150 years of service to the people on the E side of Alpine. 150 years of Alpine Township p. 25

Closed

Courtland

Kent

#6f Farrell

Ada

Kent

1854

12

W

2 Teachers. Built at a cost of $450. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 494

Buck #6f

Alpine

Kent

1864

Replaced an older structure on the Lyman Murray property

5

Fractional with Sparta School. It was a white frame school built in 1864 at a cost of $1,200. In 1885, 26 students attended Buck School. 2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 560

Ada #13

Ada

Kent

1867

10

W

2 teachers. Expensive to build with a cost of $1,000. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 494

Oakleigh #4

Walker

Kent

NOR

21

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Pioneer #6f

Solon

Kent

By 1900-

19 Mile near Albrecht Avenue

Fractional; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Lyon #3 or #4

Spencer

Kent

24?

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

French Street #7

Gaines

Kent

Location Unknown

Ballards/Rouse

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

City of Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids

Kent

NOR

Ziegenfuss #3

Oakfield

Kent

13

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Possibility Valley #3f

Vergennes

Kent

12

Kinney #5f

Walker

Kent

6

Fractional. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Maple Hill #10

Wyoming

Kent

44th at Wilson

31

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

#1f

Tyrone

Kent

31

Log

Fractional with Casanovia. Kent.migenweb/directory 1870/tyrone. Mary Brady

Red/Old Red Schoolhouse #2f

Gaines

Kent

1842

NW CORNER Sec 8

8

L/W

Fractional. Internet. There were 8 frame schools in the Township by the late 1860's. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. Present building built in 1864-65, located at the corner of Dutton (now 68th St) and Kalamazoo Ave. 10 miles NE of GR. Was first school in Township. School later became a residence. The first Red School was purchased, moved and used as a stable. History of Gaines Charter Township. Godwin's Past. Mary Brady

Grove #2

Cascade

Kent

1842-

Log

Ashley #6f

Grattan

Kent

2

Fractional. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Mason #4

Grattan

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Boyd #10f

Alpine

Kent

1856

NE corner of Fruit Ridge & 8-Mile Rds, SW 1/4, S/8

8

W

The original Boyd school was a small frame building built in 1856 on the property of J. D. Perkins in S/8. In 1885, 44 students were attending the school and $150 was spent on teacher wages. The school is no longer standing. Fractional With Walker. 2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 561

1st school

Gaines

Kent

by 1842-

The pioneer school in the town of Gaines was taught by Miss Mary Darling, in a little building near where stands the Red School House This was in 1842.

Moffitt #6f

Cannon

Kent

1870's - 1979

Pettis Ave & Five Mile Rd

29

W

Fractional; Two room second building built in 1953; still in use in 1979; building used as garage. Now gone and burned down. Mentioned, but no information. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 681

Mapes #6

Lowell

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Townline #8

Cascade

Kent

1864-1946

28th & Kraft Ave

Gone - td for a big Boy Restaurant - Fractional; 1864-1947; building converted to residence, later torn down; Big Boy Restaurant on site

Smith #10f

Paris

Kent

1864 -

S. Wing Rd, 1/4 S of 52nd E side of Rd & 60th St, 1 1/2 miles N of Dutton Rd

Fractional. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission Project 2. Godwin's Past. Mary Brady

Wyoming Park #4

Wyoming

Kent

1850

NOR Porter at Byron

34

W/B

White ORS, replaced by 2 story brick bldg - Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Reeds Lake Schoolhouse

Paris

Kent

1845-

Stood on shore of Reed's Lake near City Hall

Log

History of East Grand Rapids. p. 13 This log school burned down in 1947

Caledonia #8

Caledonia

Kent

29

W

2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 645

Burchville/Burchtown #10f

Algoma

Kent

1868-

North of 16 mile Road (atlas)

1

W

Fractional possible with Foxville. Named in honor of pioneer Jefferson Burch. Wooden-frame school, to replace shanty, is to be 30 ft x 36 ft. No longer standing. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 526

LaBarge #7

Caledonia

Kent

16

W

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. 2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 645

Michigan Oaks #4

GR Township

Kent

1911-1953

Michigan St & Plymouth Ave, NE

Originally built in the 1860s. Was made part of GR in 1960. Used by Rapistan for training and conferences. GR Township History p. 32. Photo

Casanova #8f

Tyrone

Kent

NE corner Main St & Atherton, Casnovia.

19 or 24*

W

Fractional; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society This was called Casanova Old School. Converted to residence. Old School Projects.

Shank #2

Courtland

Kent

near Shank residence,

29

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Valley #3f

Vergennes

Kent

W side of Fallasburg Park Dr. 1/4 mile N. of Downes & Ike intersection.

12

Fractional; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. No longer standing.

Oak Grove #2

Walker

Kent

-1964

Annexed to Granville, Ottawa County - Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Ross #5

Tyrone

Kent

1865-

NE corner of S/19

19

W

kent.migenweb/directory 1870/tyrone. Mary Brady

Oakview

GR Township

Kent

Oakview, Atwater and D. W. Richardson formed the Northview School District. GR Township: History p. 86

1st school

Tyrone

Kent

1852

First school was taught by Miss Susan Field. The next winter the school was kept by Miss Nettie Wetmore of Grand Rapids. Memorials p. 254

Cannonsburg

Cannon

Kent

Early by 1843?

A schoolhouse was locate there (Cannonsburg) In the village is a good Union schoolhouse. Memorials of the Gd River Valley p. 197 & p. 198

Englishville #14f

Alpine

Kent

1852

8285 Vinton Ave, Sparta

1

W

Fractional with Sparta. The wooden-frame farm school was built in 1852 on the English property in S/1. In 1885, 36 students attended the school and teachers were paid $190. It was located on Vinton Ave where Englishville H.S. was located (closed 2014) It is still standing today. (11/24 Mary Brady says gone) Mary Brady

Merriman #8

Lowell

Kent

Bancroft & 52nd, 1 mi N of Alto

28

W

Residence - Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Pleasant Hill #3

Spencer

Kent

S side 19 mile at Larsen Rd.

23

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. Converted to residence. Old School Project.

Kraft #5

Caledonia

Kent

1888-1936

2nd bldg

8

W

Apartment. There is already a Caledonia #5. Gerould W. 1 teacher. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 645

Cook #4f

Gaines

Kent

4011 100th

1

Fractional; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Atwater

GR Township

Kent

3 Mile & Grand River Rds

W

This school has had additions and is now a large residence. GR Township: The History p. 86. Photo

Cascade #3 or #4

Cascade

Kent

1870-1953 3rd bldg

8778 Cascade Road

9

W

1847-1870; second building moved to Patterson & Broadmoor, years of operation 1870-1953; building converted to residence that was painted white and furnished with black walnut Furniture.

McBride #5

Lowell

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Richardson, D. W. #1

Plainfield

Kent

after-1935

26

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Bennett #7

Vergennes

Kent

SW corner of Vergennes St & Cumberland Ave.

32

Gone - demolished

Wilson #3

Plainfield

Kent

1889-1962

3992 Kroes St, Rockford; SW corner Kroes & Brewer

11

B

Now a janitorial maintenance bldg - Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Wheeler #1

Alpine

Kent

by 1855

Originally on Edward Wheeler's Farm. 7 Mile & Baumhoff Rds. Innes & Tinkham Rds. Plat Map of Kent County in the center of Township

22

Log/W

The original log Wheeler School was on the Wheeler Farm in the center of the Township. In the early days the Township meetings were held there until a Town Hall was built in 1860. In 1861, a new wooden-frame school was built on the N side of 7 Mile Baumhoff Rds. (The original log school was moved to the Theodore Umlor property in S/30) In 1885, 46 students were registered at the Wheeler School and the teacher received $50. William W. Wheeler was School Director. No longer standing. Info from Marva Hathaway migenweb.org. 2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 561. 150 years of Alpine History p. 25

Foxville/Fochville #13f

Algoma

Kent

SW corner of Algoma Avenue and Indian Lakes Road, Algoma Twp. (atlas)

3

Located on the N side of 7 Mile Rd on the top of a hill east of Alpine Station.

Brownell #5f

Plainfield

Kent

Still 1924

3

W/B

Fractional. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Boyton/Honey Creek #4f

Ada

Kent

1852/1880-1960

391 Boynton Rd

23

W

1 teacher. Fractional with Vergennes and Lowell. Cost about $200 to build. History of Kent County c. 1881 says constructed in 1852 p. 494

O'Brien #1

Walker

Kent

29

Annexed to Granville, Ottawa county - Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Ross Station #3

Byron

Kent

1855-1945

Corner of 100th St & Clyde Park Ave

26

W

1855-1962. Building torn-down in 1980's. Byron History p. 122-125. 2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 609

?

Bowne

Kent

1859

W

Frame. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 588

Ayne

Solon

Kent

Original location: 17 Mile Rd, NE. Moved to off US-131 Cedar Springs

In 1971 became Cedar Springs Public Museum. MORSA. Mary Brady

Plainfield

Plainfield

Kent

by 1838

Log

School house by 1838. First school was in the winter of 1837-38 in a log school house near Friant's. It was taught by Jonathan Whitney. The next summer the school was kept by Miss Mary Francisco. The schoolhouse was this year burned and rebuilt. Memorials p. 240

Fallasburg #1f

Vergennes

Kent

W1867-1961

14029 Covered Bridge Rd south of McPherson Road, Lowell

24

Log/W

Michigan State Historical Site. In 1999 designated a Historical District with the National Register of Historic Places. The log schoolhouse, built in 1867, is in what is now the Fallasburg Pioneer Park at 1124 Fallasburg Park Dr. NE Lowell Mi. Other history building, cared for by the local Historical Society are located there also. The schoolhouse is open most Sundays, June through September, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. or by appointment. Traveling Thru Time p. 233.

White #3

Sparta

Kent

1849-

NW corner 12 mile Road and Sparta Avenue.

22

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. No longer standing

Oakview #14f

Plainfield

Kent

by 1894 still by-1941

Fractional; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Kenowa Hills #16

Walker

Kent

1st school

Vergennes

Kent

1839

1st school in the Flat River settlement of Vergennes was taught in 1839 by Miss Caroline Baird, in a log house by by the Robinson brothers. She was married in the schoolhouse. Memorial p. 212

#4

Byron

Kent

1857-1892

NE corner of 76th St & Burlingame Ave

11

W

2nd room added in 1925. In operation in 1892. Torn-down in 1965. 1 teacher. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 609

Bowne Center #1

Bowne

Kent

1849-mid 1960's

84th Ave, Alden & Nash Rd. Mary Brady

22

Log/W

Original log school Museum open 1st Sunday of the month. Standard School. CSAA plaque 2010. Renovated into a museum for Bowne Township one-room schools. This Museum houses information on all Schools of Bowne Township. Mary Brady from Bowne Township Historical Society. Website and a Calendar of Godwin's part. Mary Brady

East Nelson #3f

Nelson

Kent

2T

23

Fractional; two-room school; Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

McPherson #11

Vergennes

Kent

1861-1937

1573 Parnell NE, Lowell

18

B

Residence - Closed 1937-38 State Historic Site - 1985 - Closed around 1937

Forest Hills #15

Grand Rapids

Kent

25

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Ridgeview Elementary

Sparta

Kent

Chase #3

Ada

Kent

1859

10

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society (Possibly #4 in 1867. Cost $800. S/23, Wood)

Ottawa Hills H.S.

Grand Rapids

Kent

1924-1972

Originally at 1900 Iroquois Drive SE GR. Now at 2055 Rosewood Ave SE Gr

B

Built in SE Grand Rapids as one of 5 H.S. Grades 7-10 originally and built on a former golf course. In 1931 an Elementary wing was added. In 1972 Ottawa Hills moved to its current location.

Briggs #5

Solon

Kent

Before 1900

Alcome Avenue and 21 Mile Road

4

W

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Morningstar/Helsel #8

Algoma

Kent

1860

South of 14 miles on east side of Grange Road North side of section 16 on farm of Chas. Babcock. (atlas)

16

Log/W

No longer standing. Named after pioneer Henry Morningstar. Also known as the Helsel School named after Henry Helsel. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 526

Punches #2

Nelson

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Sage #2f or 4f

Cannon

Kent

Cortland Dr & M44 Moved to Crestwood School 8/2001

18

W

Fractional. Building standing vacant. Being Restored. Moved from original location to Common corners. sageschool@rockfordschools.org. Mary Brady. Mentioned, but no information History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 681

D. W. Richardson

GR Township

Kent

Oakview, Atwater and D. W. Richardson formed the Northview School District. GR Township: History p. 86

Christian Hill #4

Solon

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Alaska #3

Caledonia

Kent

10

W

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. 4 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 645

Stone #1

Caledonia

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. There is already a Caledonia #1 Barber/Caledonia W. 2 teachers. History of Kent County c. 1881 p. 645

Solon Center #2

Solon

Kent

16

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Godwin #6f

Paris

Kent

1867-1925

Division NE cor 36th St.

18

Log/B

Fractional. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society. The original log school located at Clyde Park and 36th St. Godwin School System formed 1867. This brick school was demolished in 1925. It stood where the District library now stands. The Bell since 1981 is in the lobby of new H.S. (Godwin's Park) Mary Brady

Redd #1f

Ada

Kent

1858/1965

449 Ada Dr, Ada

34

W/B

Actual school #1 was built in 1858 of wooden-frame. Cost $600 to build in S/34. This gave way to a brick school at a cost of $5,000. Grand Rapids Press, October 10, 1993. 2 teachers. History of Kent County p. 494

Paris

Paris

Kent

Corner of E Paris Ave & 100th St. MB

Michigan State University Paris Grange #19 p. 87. Contact: Esther Middlewood, Kentwood Historical Preservation Commission. Has outhouse, handicap ramp & a flag. Mary Brady

Possibly Aldrich #12(f)

Vergennes

Kent

Alexander Hamilton #5

Paris

Kent

Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Aldrich #12f

Vergennes

Kent

Fractional. Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society

Graham

Courtland

Kent

27

W

1881- painted white

Brondige/Day

Springfield

Kent

No such township

See Day Schoolhouse.

Withey #9f

Alpine

Kent

circa 1840's till 1880's

Next to Withey's Mill in S/36

36

Log/B

The E side of the Township was serviced by the Withey School which was built sometime dring the 1840's next to Withey's Mill in the NE 1/4 of S/36. Withey School became fractional #9 on May, 1858. 150 years of Alpine Township p. 25

Spencer's Mill #1 or #2

Spencer

Kent

SW corner Pinewood & Lincoln Lake Ave.

34

Michigan State University Spencer Grange #1695 p. 88 Western Michigan GeneaLogical Society No longer standing Old School Project