THE MICHIGAN ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE ASSOCIATION

Churchill 2nd school #2f

Montcalm

Montcalm

1851-

34

W

Tobey School located in Fairplain Township was moved here next to Churchill's to add additional space for Churchill students. Tobey moved the school in the 1930's. See Tobey School. Churchill School needed more room and this seemed like the best solution. Now a residence

Carson City #2

Bloomer

Montcalm

by 1879

In Town of Carson City, Montcalm Co, MI

12

W

In 1879, enrollment in wooden-frame #2 was 256. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties p. 419

Amble #5

Winfield

Montcalm

by 1908-

In S/21 in the Village of Amble on M-46

21

W

Torn-down

Bloomer Center #1

Bloomer

Montcalm

by 1879

At intersection of Fenwick & Minor Rds

21

W

In 1879 enrollment in wooden-frame #1 was 41. History of Ionia and Montcalm Co p. 419. Torn-down

Neff #5

Day

Montcalm

by 1900-

Was on Cannonsville Rd just W of Deja Rd

22

W

Status unknown

Union H.S.

Crystal

Montcalm

1924-

In Village of Crystal

17

B

Until 1924 students attended Union School which was located at the site of the now Husmann Elementary School. In 1924 the Crystal Lake Central High School opened as the Community H.S.

Westville #1f

Day

Montcalm

1866-

On M-66 (Sheridan Rd) at Coral Rd in Westville

17

W

In 1866 Westville took in students from Palmer School. Westville School was renovated by the Kieff family

Stanton 1st & 2nd Schools

Stanton Village

Montcalm

Summer 1862, 1864

In county courthouse and private home

Miss Nancy Green taught in the county courthouse. There were 5 students. The next term was taught by Mrs. Levi Camburn in her own private home. She had 7 scholars

McBride (1st school) #2

Day

Montcalm

-1922

SW corner of Wyman & Coral Roads

8

W

Torn-down in 1922. Replaced by a new larger school located 1 block W. Now Day Township Fire Hall. Is where school was (is not the school itself)

Shanty Plains #5f

Fairplain

Montcalm

W side of Brown Rd by Horsehead & Bass Lakes in S/35

35

W

Converted into a residence

Wyman #5

Home

Montcalm

W side of Wyman Rd in S/5

5

B

Converted into a residence

Knot Maul #2

Cato

Montcalm

1864-1959

E side of M-91 just a bit S of Almy Rd

27

W

Consolidated with Lakeview Schools in 1959. Converted into a residence

Spencer #1

Crystal

Montcalm

In the very SW corner of S/1 on Pakes & Mt. Hope Rds

1

W/B

Converted into a residence

Buckmaster #? unk

Montcalm

Montcalm

Probably Duckland Rd, W of Johnson Rd

7

Beardsley #2f

Fairplain

Montcalm

Moved 1/2 mile E to Bill Wyke's property on N side of Fenwick Rd

25 & 26

W

Standing, but in very poor condition

Weatherby #3

Winfield

Montcalm

circa-1880's-

On Marble Rd in center of S/29

29

W

Converted into a residence

Burley #5

Reynolds

Montcalm

At corner tip of S/23 on E side Maple Hill Rd

23

W

Torn-down

Cherry Dell #5f

Douglass

Montcalm

by 1896

On Hillman Rd exactly between McBride & Kendallville Rds

7

Log/W

Fractional with Belvidere. No longer standing

Settlement School #1

Montcalm

Montcalm

1850-

E corner of S/1 at Satterlee St

8

Shanty/W

Purchased and renovated as a workshop. According to History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties p. 475. The first school was in 1850 in a little board schoolhouse on Mr. Wolverton's farm. A second schoolhouse that resembled the first was built in S/34

Sandy Knob #9

Crystal

Montcalm

Corner of Sidney & Bollinger Rds, facing Bollinger Rd

15

Converted into a home. Middle of S/15

Coral #5f

Maple Valley

Montcalm

before 1935-

4931 Bailey Rd, Coral, MI 49322. In village of Coral

8

B

Latest addition to the school was in 1935. Served as Cowden Lake Bible Academy from 1989 until 2012. Still listed on internet with address and phone #

School #1

Bloomer

Montcalm

1852/53

Possibly a log school built by Anderson Miner on his farm

28

Log

Taught by Miss Alvira D. A Miner. History of I & M p. 419

School #3

Bloomer

Montcalm

After 1853

Probably built in center of Bloomer

Log

Built similar to School #2. First teacher was Miss Ruth Dodge from Ionia County. Hist of I & M p. 419

White Plains #2

Reynolds

Montcalm

On Almy Rd at intersection of Daggett Rd

29

Torn-down

Pleasant Hill #3f

Pine

Montcalm

1982-1957

At E side of Fitzner Rd, 3 miles S of Lake Montcalm Rd

2

Log/W

First called Look School and was a log school. Consolidated in 1957 into the Lakeview School system. Sold and is now an Amish School building

Hively #8

Crystal

Montcalm

Mt Hope Ave, on section line between 13 & 18

13 & 24

Converted into a residence

Red Brick #5

Bloomer

Montcalm

by 1879

On M-57 between Blackmer & Miner Rds, N side of M-57

10 & 15

W/B

In 1879, enrollment in the wooden-frame #5 was 62 students. History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties p. 419. Probably re-built in brick at some point. Converted into a residence

Coral 1st School

Maple Valley

Montcalm

1873

Stood on S side of railroad.

W

First school was small little frame building. But it was soon outgrown and a vote was taken to build a new school for $3,000-$4,000 and be completed in 1873. It is a graded school and the teacher is Charles Tucker. Hist I & M p. 478

School

Bloomer

Montcalm

Built at Spencer's Corners near section line

29?

Taught by Miss Maria Ward

Trufant (1st school) #6f

Maple Valley

Montcalm

Corner of 1st St & C St, Trufant, MI 49347

26

W

Converted to Masonic Hall & Order of Eastern Star in 2019. Auctioned off in 2004 for $110,000

Wolverton Plains #1f

Eureka

Montcalm

S side of Wise Rd in S/6

6

W

Converted into a residence

Vestaburg Community Schools

Richland

Montcalm

circa 1880's-1964

M-46, S end of Avenue B, Vestaburg

25 & 26

W/B

First schoolhouse built in Vestaburg was a two-story schoolhouse probably in 1880s. Used until the brick schoolhouse was built and used by 1913. It was for grades K-12 until 1902. A 10th grade class graduated in 1904. In 1913, an 11th grade was added and in 1917 it became a K-12 school. In 1920 a principal was hired. School was later used for an office for the Michigan Bean Company. In 1944 due to pressure from the State Department it was decided to consolidate some of the surrounding rural districts. It was divided into 6.5 districts: Skidmore, Rock Lake, Block, Matice, Harrington and Locey. The Stone School in Ferris Township included the SW part of that district with our Township. These schools were the first to join the Vestaburg district: Skidmore, Block, Rock Lake, Stone, King, Oak Grove and Ferris. Later Douglas, Harrington and Locey. Now with all these students attending Vestaburg, athletics were added. This combined school was called a Rural Agricultural School, then in 1955 the Vestaburg Community School. In 1954 an Elementary building with 8 rooms was built called the Otterbein Elementary. In 1960, a wonderful new High School was built. In 1964 the 1913 building was torn-down and more new grade rooms were built on that site. Richland 1869-1969

Clifford Lake #4f

Douglass

Montcalm

1870 -1977

Intersection of Hillman & Klees Rds

29

Log/W/B

MORSA says log in 1870-1877, W in 1877-1899 & B in 1899-1977. Now a residence

Comstock #6f

Bushnell

Montcalm

-after 1947

Located on the South County Line W side of Staines Rd

31

School no longer standing

Bannon/Bernen #5f

Pine

Montcalm

N Side of Cannonsville at bottom center of S/14

14

W

After the school closed it may have been converted into home, but as of 2025 no longer standing

Where Skidmore had been located

Richland

Montcalm

1869-1944

In S/16 (the school section) in the middle of Township

16

Log

First school in our Township was a log house with 3 windows and a dutch fireplace at one end. Sticks were driving the walls across which boards were laid for desk. This school was built on the site of the old Skidmore School in the fall of 1896. Richland Township 1869-1969

School #2

Bloomer

Montcalm

1853

Built in eastern part of Bloomer

Log

This log school was 12 ft x 12 sq ft. Had 2 half windows or single sash of six lights each. Benches were split from basswood logs and set up on pines. Fireplace. Alvira Miner also taught this school and she received $1 a week. The log cabin now forms a part of the SE corner of Hine's Hotel in Carson city. Hist of I & M p. 419

West Barnes #1

Reynolds

Montcalm

1872-

N side of Cutler Rd in middle and bottom line of section

5

W

Residence. Article in the Detroit News February 17, 2000. History of Ionia and Montcalm p. 488 states that in 1869 the Reynolds Township School board divided the Township into 6 school districts. By 1880, 5 were frame, 1 log and the 7th was fractional with the schoolhouse in Newaygo County

Whitefish Lake #4

Pierson

Montcalm

S side of Whitefish Rd at corner of Stanton Rd

28

W

Two-story schoolhouse. Converted into a one-story residence

Blood #2

Douglass

Montcalm

1868-1957

Holland & McBride Rds

13

Log/W

#1 Originally built of logs in 1868 in NW quarter of S/13 and became a dwelling. It was used until 1876 when a new wooden-frame school was built. From History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties p. 442

South Brown #5

Montcalm

Montcalm

In very SE corner of S/23 at Fitzner & Sidney Rds

23

W

Converted into a residence

Trufant (2nd school) #6f

Maple Valley

Montcalm

3305 W 2nd St, Trufant MI, 49347

26

W

Trifant school consolidated with Lakeview Schools. Trufant was used for the 4th grade students until quite recently (2000?) Now owned by Maple Valley Community Church, Trufant, Michigan. Trufant now has a brick Elementary School

Stanton #3f

Day, Evergreen, Sidney, & Douglass

Montcalm

1866-

Village of Stanton.(Now a city) Newly built schoolhouse

1, 6, 31 & 36

W

History of Ionia and Montcalm Co p. 493 says Stanton as the County Seat is at the corner of 4 Townships. The first school taught in the summer of 1863 in the courthouse. Stanton is District #3f. Schoolhouse was built in 1866 for $200, as a graded school. The first new school was taught by E. K. Wood, the first male teacher in the district. It was a graded school

Stone or Stone Hill #9f

Ferris

Montcalm

S side of Lake Montcalm Rd, 1 mile E of Vickeryville

6

Stone

Converted into a residence

Bass Lake #1

Belvidere

Montcalm

1868-

Wholly in Six Lakes. South quarter of S/22

22

Log

History of Ionia and Montcalm Co p. 405 states that the first school was taught in 1868 in a rough wood schoolhouse with a shake roof in S/22. This district and one including Six Lakes are the only whole districts in the Township. The rest are fractional

Block #4

Richland

Montcalm

-1944

SE corner of Howard City-Edmore (M-46) & Douglass Rds

26

B

Was a residence. Fire in March of 2010. Torn-down after that

Hodge #8

Sidney

Montcalm

1917

not listed DJ

Gone. Burned-down in 1917

Second SchoolHouse #2

Douglass

Montcalm

1868-1876

NW quarter of S/13

Log

After school closed became a home. This #2 log school was replaced in about 1876

Cross 1st

Avery

Montmorency

Red Bridge

Cross 2nd

Avery

Montmorency

Gibbs/3rd

Vienna

Montmorency

Gibbs Rd

1st School in Albert Twp #4

Albert

Montmorency

Opened 1892- burned in 1895

Was recorded as District #4 in SE corner of SE Qtr of S/17 in Township 29 North, Range 2 East at the E. O. Avery Camp. very N of the town on Montmorency St near Kneeland

17

W

Albert Township School Board in 1892 purchased a plot of ground from the lumber company for a new school. The school that was built was a two-story building. The school was a source of pride, but it's existence was brief. It was destroyed by fire only a couple years after its completion. 7 students were registered. 3 under the name of Smith and 4 under the name of Mitchel. Lewiston was a pretty town. Streets were 100 ft wide (hoping to stop fires) The school was at one end of the street and the depot on the other end. Almost all buildings were of wooden-framing. Lewiston Story p. 78

Secrist

Vienna

Montmorency

Mainer Rd

Loud Twp School

Loud

Montmorency

M-33 at McIntire Rd, Atlanta, MI

Hidden behind some trees on private property. Post Office Atlanta, MI. Submitted by Paul D. Willette

Klein *

Rust

Montmorency

W

Turtle Creek

Rust

Montmorency

Unknown

Montmorency

by 1892-1894

Congregational Church met in the school. May be East School as it was East Church. Story of Lewiston p. 65

Cement *

Montmorency

Montmorency

CR 628 & Morrow Rd, S/26

26

Farm storage

Old School

Vienna

Montmorency

Vienna & Matthew Rds

Puchman

Avery

Montmorency

M-33 & Hwy 451

Big Rock

Briley

Montmorency

Big Rock & Thornton Rds

Teacher: Laura Jackson Crank. Pioneer Women Teacher of Michigan, Michigan Heritage, v. 2 p. 83

Proper *

Vienna

Montmorency

11346 Court, Jerome Atlanta. N of Lewiston

Mrs. Golden Wheeler began her teaching career in 1906 at Proper School. She also taught at the 2nd new K-10/12 building. She retired in 1950, after having spent 30 years of her teaching career in the Lewiston School District. During one year in the 1913-19 it occurred that very little money was allocated to the schools. When the funds were exhausted, the teacher were informed, but Mrs. Wheeler said we continue teaching rather than walk out on the children. Story of Lewiston p. 81

East School District

Montmorency

East School district was comprised of children of Finnish and Swedish families. Their children when starting school could not speak or understand English. Many came to school on skis and all noon and recess periods were spent on the slopes. In 1938, Lewiston had enrollment of 89 students. In 1944, Lewiston started bussing grades 9, 10, & 12 to Atlanta H.S. on a tuition basis. A new Elementary School was completed in 1950 at a cost of $55,000. A gym was added in 1957. In 1968, Johannesburg and Lewiston School districts combined into a K-12 system. Story of Lewiston p. 81

Cohoon

Rust

Montmorency

Mainer/2nd

Vienna

Montmorency

Mainer Rd

Residence

Atlanta

Briley

Montmorency

Student: Laura Jackson Crank, September 1894. Pioneer Women Teacher of Michigan, Michigan Heritage, v. 2 p. 83. On April 15, 1943 the community building and the school burned-down to the ground and destroyed the county records in their entirety

Mainer/1st

Vienna

Montmorency

Mainer Rd

Stevens Camp

Vienna

Montmorency

Meaford Rd

Teacher: Laura Jackson Crank, 1927-28. Pioneer Women Teacher of Michigan. Michigan Heritage, v. 2 p. 83

Paul

Albert

Montmorency

King Rd

There were 2 Paul School's. The 2nd was N of Lewiston. Story of Lewiston (photo) p. 80

McKenzie #2

Bailey

Montmorency

13110 M-33, Atlanta

W

After the school closed, the building was used for a variety of events such as a Grange Hall, Community Center, etc. In 1981, The Montmorency County Historical Society moved the schoolhouse from Baker Rd to the County Fairgrounds in Atlanta. They then restored the schoolhouse by 1990

Co. Normal School

Hillman

Montmorency

Opened 1912-closed 1959-60

Used for training of teachers. The last year of the county normal training was in 1959-1960. That year it was conducted in an old fire house building in Hillman with the teachers in the rear and a shop class for boys in the front. Grade students were housed in the same building. Story of Lewiston p. 78 & 80

Lockwood Lake*

Loud

Montmorency

Religious. Teacher: Laura Jackson Crank, 1925. Pioneer Women Teacher of Michigan, Michigan Heritage, v. 2 p. 83

Green *

Montmorency

Montmorency

Dickie Rd & CR 452, 5 miles N of Hillman, S/36

W

Vacant

Valentine

Briley

Montmorency

M-33 & CR 634

Grandholm School

Montmorency

1918

On CR 612

Lumber from this school came from the dismantling of Hunt Creek School and another school taken down in 1918. Story of Lewiston p. 81. When Miss Anne Willington taught the Granholm School she said her banner year was in the spring of 1917 when Fred Thompson made the highest 8th grade score on the county agricultural test. He took as his prize a field trip to the State Fair. Story of Lewiston p. 81

Edwards

Montmorency

Montmorency

Hillman, MI

Log

Hunting cabin

Eldorado

Briley

Montmorency

Residence

Rea*

Hillman

Montmorency

Rea Rd

Business

Moore

Hillman

Montmorency

Hunt & Wicks Rds, N of Teet's Corner

Currently a residence. First teacher: Laura Jackson Crank. Pioneer Women Teacher of Michigan, Michigan Heritage, v. 2 p. 83

Edwards

Avery

Montmorency

M-33/M-32

First teacher: Margaret Devlin. Pioneer Women Teacher of Michigan, Michigan Heritage, v. 2 p. 83

Lewiston Union School

Albert

Montmorency

1896-about 1951

At same site as first school that burned-down

17

W

This two-story school taught K-6 on the ground floor and 7-12 on the upper floor. The building still stands and has housed the Masonic Orders of Lewiston since 1951

Double *

Vienna

Montmorency

Vienna Rd

Residence

Hillman

Hillman

Montmorency

1881

24030 M-32, Hillman, MI 49746

First meeting in Hillman County to select the officers and to set up and conduct affairs of the newly organized county government. School building was sold in March of 2024. According to the real estate listing it was 3 bed, 2 bath and 1500 sq feet. Remodeled into a home in 1998. 80 acres sold for $280,000 according to real estate details

Camp

Avery

Montmorency

Hall Rd

Kenney

Hillman

Montmorency

White

Hillman or Vienna

Montmorency

Hunt Rd & CR 487

Residence

1st School in Atlanta Twp

Atlanta

Montmorency

1883

Located by Hay Meadow Creek

L

The entire school was made of logs including the desks and benches. Mrs. Chamberlain was early teacher. The Lewiston Story p. 78

Hunt Creek

Hillman

Montmorency

1912-1918

1041 Paul Rd, Hillman. Original address was 18951 M-32

W

Privately owned. In fair/poor condition

Hardman

Briley

Montmorency

CR 489

Cain*

Hillman

Montmorency

Orm Rd, 7 miles W of Hillman

Residence. Hunting

Doty

Loud

Montmorency

Hunt Creek Rd, S/19, 2.3 miles SW of CR 612

19

Log

Hunting Camp (RJK List)

Babcock *

Montmorency

Montmorency

Brant Rd, 1 1/2 miles W of CR 451

Garage/Workshop

Unknown

Unknown

Montmorency

In 1942, a historic fire destroyed the Montmorency Courthouse and the Atlanta H.S. On April 13, 1943. Another fire burned the school to the ground, destroyed the county records and the newspaper building on Jaguar 8 of 1943. As a result of these fires, Montmorency was left with no records. Story of Lewiston p. 15

East Granholm

Albert

Montmorency

Granholm Rd

Residence

East farm district

Montmorency

-1918

1 mile S and 1/2 mile E of junction of CR 612 & Rowling Rd

Later this school was moved 1/2 mile further E and in 1918 it was dismantled and the lumber from this school and Hunt Creek School was used to build the Grandholm School. Story of Lewiston p. 81

Lewiston Union School

Albert

Montmorency

1897

61st Annual Report 1897. Currently the fastest growing Township in the County. Michigan Shadow Towns p. 118

McCormick

Vienna

Montmorency

Gamble Rd

Tracey

Albert

Montmorency

2nd E Valentine & Ann Arbor Rds

Gibbs/2nd

Vienna

Montmorency

Ruff & Meridian Rds

Kellyville

Briley

Montmorency

Kellyville Rd