top of page
THE MICHIGAN ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE ASSOCIATION
School | Township | County | Year | Location | Use | BM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jones | Egelston | Muskegon | 1882 | Apple Ave & Maple Island Rd | 1st school in Township | ||
Ryerson | Cedar Creek | Muskegon | S/12, 7425 Brickyard & Ryerson Rds | W | Residence | ||
Canada Corner | Casnovia | Muskegon | Canada Rd, S/28 | 28 | |||
Fisher #6 | Ravenna | Muskegon | 1899-1959 | Judson & Moorland Rds, S/33 | 33 | W | Closed in 1959. Joined Coopersville |
Mouth | White River | Muskegon | Indian Bay Rd or Old Channel Trail, S/35 | 35 | Standard School Consolidated with Montague School | ||
Olson | Holton | Muskegon | Brickyard & Crystal Lake Rds | W | Purchased by Church of God about 1962 | ||
Fruitland Gordon | Fruitland | Muskegon | 1868- | 4600 N Gibson Rd, S/24. Whitehall & Riley-Thompson Rds, S/13 | 13 or 24 | Original building moved to Whitehall Rd in 1880. New brick building in 1902 | |
McMann | Fruitland | Muskegon | 1855- | State Rd & 144th St, Spring Lake, MI | W | Land donated by Jeremiah McMann. After closing was converted into a church. Photos by Jerry Tice | |
Bixby #4 | Moorland | Muskegon | Ravenna & Bailey Rds, S/11 | 11 | W | Annexed to Ravenna in 1956 | |
McGhan #3f | Moorland | Muskegon | Sherman Blvd, S/31 | 31 | Annexed to Ravenna in 1958 | ||
Churchill #3 | Norton | Muskegon | Henry St | ||||
Giles | Laketon | Muskegon | Giles & Horton Rds, S/1 | 1 | |||
Butler #1 | Garfield | Newaygo | 1855-1957 | At the corner of Croswell & Wisteria Aves | 8 | Log/W | Students first attended school in someone's home. Then Butler School was built of logs. Butler School was detached from Elm corners when Garfield Township was established in 1881. Eventually a wooden-frame school was built. The school district annexed to Fremont in 1957 |
Rice Lake #7 | Grant | Newaygo | by 1916-after 1942 | 104th St, Paw Paw in S/1 | 1 | W | Rice Lake was a lake marsh that had wild rice that grew to heights of 6 ft to 8 ft. In 1916 the marsh was drained. The school was named for Rice Lake |
Stone #4 | Barton | Newaygo | by 1880-1958 | Elm St & 14 Mile Rd | 29 | W | Due to low enrollment the school for grades 4-8th annexed to Big Jackson School District in 1959. Those in K-3 remained at Stone. School is now privately owned but in poor condition |
Hatfield #5f | Norwick | Newaygo | 1900-1954 | On the corner of Cottonwood & 7 Mile Rds | 26/35 | W | The one-room 24 ft x 30 ft Hatfield School was moved from one location to another. It was closed about 1939 and consolidated with Pineview School (a new school) along with Cole, Hungerford, Lake Fetterley and later Woodville. The school was auctioned off with single desks, double desks, blackboards, a furnace and two additional rooms. The school was torn-down about 1954 and the land reverted to the original land owner |
Cole/Pineview #6 | Norwick | Newaygo | 1881-1939 & 1953-54 | Pineview at 7 Mile Rd & Elm St | 29 | W | Cole school was built in 1881 in Norwich District #6. It closed about 1939 while a new school, Pineview, was being built next to the Cole School, it was reopened in 1953-54 on a temporary basis. Cole was sometimes called Pineview School. Pineview got an addition in 1968. The land the school sat on was owned by the Cole family. Pineview closed in 1968 and the students transferred to Big Rapids School System |
School District #1 | Brooks | Newaygo | by 1941 | Corner Hazelwood & 72nd St | 22 | W | Nothing more known |
Volney #1 | Beaver | Newaygo | 1870-1964 | Dickinson & Grant Rds near Island Lake | 7 | W | The first years in this area school were held in a home. Then Volney #1 was built and an addition added in 1907. This gave room for a 2nd teacher who taught grades 7-10. Then during the war years the school closed for 4 years, but reopened again in 1950 and continued until it sent its students to Hesperia in 1964, paying tuition for them to attend there. The district officially annexed to Hesperia by 1968. The Volney Schoolhouse was torn-down |
Romans #3 | Wilcox | Newaygo | 1903-mid 1940's | Located at the corner of Poplar & Monroe Rds was the Romans School | 23 | W | The school was named after the Byron Romans family that lived on Poplar N of Monroe. The school burned-down sometime in the mid 1940's and was not rebuilt |
Tripp #4 | Everett | Newaygo | by 1890-1927 | Tripp Rd & 8 Mile Rd | 28 | W | Only information is a few photos. Closed on consolidation |
Lambson #1 | Ashland | Newaygo | 1856-1963 | On the N side of Gordon & 112th Sts | 11 | Log/W/CB | Six families sent children to Lambson when it opened in April, 1856. The school was a 18 ft x 24 ft, log building and had a 50 year lease. A second wooden-frame school, 28 ft x 40 ft was built in 1878 for $500. In 1910 a bond was passed to relocate the school, and a new cement block school was built in S/12 on the NW corner of Gordon and 104th Sts. There is a possibility that one of these schools burned, but nothing definite. The district consolidated with Grant Schools in 1963 and the school and land were sold in 1966 |
Baptist Lake #6 | Ensley | Newaygo | 1878-1946 | 120th St just E of Butternut St by the Lake | 14 | W | Named after Baptist Lake which it was near. Closed between 1941-1945, but then reopened in 1946 when the areas population increased |
Croton #2 | Croton | Newaygo | by 1900-by late 1950's | Located in the center of Croton | 8 | W/W/B | Croton #2 had a wooden-frame building, another wooden-frame building and then a beautiful brick schoolhouse. Old Settlers Picnic, which began about 1920, was often held at the Croton Schoolhouse. Students now attend Newaygo Schools since the 1960's after the last school closed. Michigan Shadow Towns p. 122 |
Bridgeton #1f | Bridgeton | Newaygo | 1870-1965 | Corner of 120th St & Warner Ave | 13 | W | One of the first 2 school districts organized in the Township |
Christian Plains | Croton | Newaygo | 1854-1902 | Corner of 72nd St & Cottonwood Ave | 22 | Log | Only open a short while. Closed about the end of the logging era |
Riverside #4 | Home | Newaygo | 1897-1956 | Brick Riversize at 16 Mile Rd W of Walnut St | 8 | Log/W/B | Riverside was originally a log schoolhouse called Myers Mill and located on the Pere Marquette River. It was near the lumber mill. A more suitable schoolhouse was built on the opposite bank called Riverside, but that burned. Sometime before 1907 a brick schoolhouse was built on 16 mile Rd, W of Walnut St, as that new location was more centrally located. Riverside consolidated with Big Jackson School. Teaching at Riverside appears to have stopped in 1943. Students attended Big Jackson School. Riverside was sold in the fall of 1956 for $512.00. The Riverside Schoolhouse is still standing. In 1996 it was being used as a hunting cabin |
Palmer #2 | Bridgeton | Newaygo | 1923--1965 | In 1923 moved to 116th St & Fitzgerald Ave | 17 | W | Palmer was originally the Damm School in S/20. In 1923 it was moved to S/17 and renamed Palmer |
Kinney #7 | Ensley | Newaygo | 1885-by 1940's | 2 miles N & 2 miles E of Ensley Center at intersection of 112th & Beech Sts | 11 | B | Kinney family arrived in 1856. Many of the children became teachers and taught at the Ensley Township Schools |
Pink/Gifford #3 | Brooks | Newaygo | 1895-by 1950 | On Croton Rd, 5-6 miles E of Newaygo between Popular & Oak Avenues in S/11 | 11 | W | Mentioned in the newspaper in January 1915. In August of 1941 a note in the Newaygo Republican stated Gifford School is the only rural school open in Brooks Township. Not much information on Gifford School |
Big Bend #7 | Big Prairie | Newaygo | by 1901-1945 | Stood Where Hardy Pond is now. Moved it N to Stuart Howe's Farm in 1928 | 14/15 | Log/W | Burned-down in 1901, but was re-built. Then it was taken down about 1928 and moved to Stuart Howe's. A new frame school was erected in its place. It was there until 1930 when it was moved a 1/4 mile N by John Miller. Miller had sold his farm to Consumers Power in 1928 to flood the area for Hardy Dam. Miller moved Big Bend School taking it across Hardy Dam. He moved the building with his team of horses and log rollers. This school and 4 others were auctioned off by Big Prairie in 1946. It stated that Big Bend was 30 ft x 22 ft and had a 14 ft x 16 ft woodshed |
Pleasant Valley #4 | Grant | Newaygo | by 1895-1959 | Intersection of Walnut & 120th Sts | 16 | W | In 1884 Pleasant Valley was #4. By 1958-1959 the one-room school was only teaching grades K-6th |
Packard #7 | Dayton | Newaygo | 1864-1965 | Stone Rd & 32nd St | 27 | Log/W | First term school was held in a home. Then a school was built of planks with homemade benches. About 1885, a wooden-frame school was built. That school was used until 1965 when the district annexed to Fremont School and the building was then used as the Township Hall |
Wooster #3 | Sherman | Newaygo | 1868-1966 | Wooster is five miles northeast of Fremont. | 20 | Log/W | The first Wooster School was made of logs. About 20 years later a 2nd school was built in a different location and it was a wood-frame building. The original log school was torn-down. In 1953 the school was partitioned into a two-room school. In 1965 the partition was taken out and only 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades attended. The school annexed to Fremont in 1966. The school building was sold and converted into a garage |
Mitchell | Monroe | Newaygo | 1900-1957 | Located at the corner of Willow St & 7 Mile Rd | 31 | Log | This log school was built by 1900, but closed by the early 1930's. It's possible this school was as known as Livermore School |
South Garfield #4f | Garfield | Newaygo | by 1901-1950's | Started in S/33 but moved to 88th & Baldwin Rd in S/32 | 32/33 | W | In 1901 the district prepared to build a new school. It was to be 23 ft x 38 ft in size and finished in the best possible manner throughout. The wainscoting is a beautiful red oak and the white walls are beautiful as well. The school closed sometime in the 1950's |
Block #7 | Lilley | Newaygo | 1881-1948 | Corner of 17 Mile & Gordon Rds | 2 | W | Block was a small school. After 1948 students from Block School #7 were being transported to Baldwin Schools. Unknown status as of today |
Walker #2f | Dayton | Newaygo | 1855-1965 | Walker located near 8th St and Bruckner in S/4 | 4 | Log/W | History tells us that in 1855 a log schoolhouse was in the center of what is known now as bull cemetery. Church and Sunday School were held there also. In 1869 a new schoolhouse made of wooden-frame was built. In 1872 the school year was made 7 months long. Walker School was annexed into the Fremont School District in 1965. Walker School is still standing but it looks abandoned and it's windows boarded up |
Tyndall #8 | Dayton | Newaygo | 1882-1965 | Corner of 40th & Fitzgerald Rd | 32 | W | Tyndall had a basement with a kitchen and tables where the students would eat instead of eating at their desks. Tyndall annexed in 1965 and was closed, sold, and remodeled into a residence |
River Valley/Stockwell #5 | Wilcox | Newaygo | 1891-1927 | On W side of M-37, 2 1/2 miles N of White Cloud | 20 | W | The contract for building the River Valley School, also known at Stockwell School, was for $120 in 1891. After the school closed it was remodeled and used as the Wilcox Township Hall |
Torrey #1 | Beaver | Newaygo | by 1895-1949 | Located at the intersection of 17 Mile & Elm Rd | 12 | W | As the school population dropped Torrey School closed after the 1948-49 school year. The students were transported either to Davenport or Davis Schools. The building was still used for events such as dances after it was no longer a schoolhouse. Wooden structure and is still standing |
Dayton Center #5 | Dayton | Newaygo | by 1902-1965 | Corner of 24th St & Grand Ave | 21 | W | Dayton Center was a large one-room school. It annexed in 1965 and was closed. The building was sold and renovated into a residence |
Patterson #5f | Ashland | Newaygo | 1869-1966 | Corner of 120th & Wisner Ave | 16 | W | The Patterson School was very solidly built including a 2nd room addition in 1910. It is still standing to this day. In 1966 Patterson and nine other districts annexed at the same time. Patterson annexed to Grant Schools. The schoolhouse is currently (1975) being remodeled for use as a parsonage for the Patterson Bible Church |
Train #1 | Grant | Newaygo | 1866-69- 1955 | 132nd & Spruce Sts | 27 | Log/W/CB | Named after the Train family. First school was 16 ft x 24 ft, log and quite crude. In about 1877, 1/2 mile S a new frame-school was built, but it burned in the 1900's. It was replaced by a cement building. Closed soon after 1955 and annexed to Grant |
Pineview #6 | Norwich | Newaygo | 1954-1994 | Intersection of 7 Mile and Elm St | 29 | B | Some of the rural schools had been sending their students to Towne School and paying tuition. They decided to build a new school and send their students to this new $40,000, 3 room Pineview School. Will house 78, K-8 students. Purchased two 48 passenger buses. Among those schools sending students to Pineview were Cole, Hungerford, Hatfield and Fetterley in Goodwell Township. All 4 of these schools were put up for auction on August 28, 1956. H.S. students went to Big Rapids |
Waters #3f | Dayton | Newaygo | 1874-1965 | Waters was at the corner of 32nd & Luce Ave | 24 | W | The school closed when the district was annexed to Fremont in 1965. The school remained abandoned and then it burned-down in July, 1983 |
Daly/Waterman #3 | Denver | Newaygo | by 1880-1965 | On Dickinson Ave just N of 3 Mile Rd | 18 | W | The Daly family gave the land for the school. Sometimes called the Waterman School. The school closed in 1965 when it annexed with Hesperia. Schoolhouse was converted into a residence |
Foxville #3 | Monroe | Newaygo | by 1878-1957 | Located at the intersection of Oak Ave & Buchanan Rd | 24 | W | The Foxville School closed and was torn-down. A cement slab is left to show where it was located |
Torcotte #2 | Beaver | Newaygo | 1878-1957 | Corner of Polk & Dickinson between 7 & 8 Mile Rds | 30 | W | Torcotte School had various spellings and pronunciations. By 1948-49 some students were being transported to Hesperia. The school officially closed in 1957 |
Kempf #4 | Sheridan | Newaygo | 1876-1959 | Corner of Fitzgerald Ave & 92nd St in the Sitka Community | 32 | W/B | The school was of board and batten construction. (Sometimes called Matthews School) It closed in 1959 due to decreasing enrollment and students were transferred to Fremont Schools. Both buildings are now gone |
Crandall #3 | Ensley | Newaygo | 1861-1919 | SW corner of 136th St & Beech Ave | 35 | W | Named for the John Crandall family who settled in Ensle in 1856. In Nov 1901, school closed for several weeks due to an outbreak of diphtheria |
Ewing/Dickinson/Gordon #4 | Croton/Brooks | Newaygo | by 1875-1941 | Original school is 1 mile S near Surrerar Cemetery | 25 | W | Originally this was the Ewing School. In 1877, Dickinson sold to school District #5 of Croton Township (now Brooks Twp) one acre of land for $15 for a site for a school. That spot is now M-82 on the edge of Surrerar Prairie. The Gordon family moved to that farm in 1919 and it was the Gordon School #4. Sometimes known as Surreerar Prairie School. In 1925 many Dickinson students transferred into the City School of Newaygo. Only 10 students attended in 1941 and Gordon, the school of many names closed |
Cassidy #1 | Norwick | Newaygo | 1888-1920 | Located at the intersection of 11 Mile Rd & Beech Ave | 12 | W | Cassidy was only in operation about 32 years. It closed in 1920. In 1920 the students were transferred to Van Gilder School in Mecosta County. In 1949 it was sold for $15.00 |
Smith/McLean #5 | Bridgeton | Newaygo | by 1895-1965 | Intersection 108th & Green Sts | 9 | W | The students had a lot of events such as the May Pole, Halloween, Christmas pageant, Child Evangelism (Bible Study), Valentine Parties, Thanksgiving, Milkman delivery, Special Art and Music days and Nurse visits for shots. One negative event was the teacher and her husband took a vacation to Florida and on the way back she was killed in a car accident in Indiana |
Dickinson #6 | Ashland | Newaygo | by 1880-1961-62 | Corner of 136th St & Alger Rd | 31 | W | It is thought that Dickinson consolidated in 1965 with Grant. The school reverted to the original land owners and has sat empty and unused all these years. It is still standing, but ready to collapse any day. Photo by Jerry Tice, MORSA member |
Big Prairie #1 | Big Prairie | Newaygo | 1868-1957 | Big Prairie settlement, E side of Croton Dam Pond | 18 | Log/W | Michigan State University Big Prairie Grange #935 p. 104. The first Big Prairie School was log slabs and it burned-down and a new building was erected. In 1884 there were 5 school districts in Big Prairie Township. The children ages 5 to 20 was 177. Two wooden-frame schools and three log schools. The schools were Barton, Germantown, Thompson, Forwood and Big Bend. In 1946 these were auctioned off |
Brookside #1 | Sheridan | Newaygo | 1869-1965 | Brookside was located at 72nd St & Green Ave | 16 | W/B | The second Brookside was built quite large as it was to be a schoolhouse and a townhouse meeting center. This was in 1903 and it was constructed of red bricks and had two classrooms. After the school district annexed to Fremont in 1965 the building was transformed into a church building |
Schenck #4f | Ashland | Newaygo | 1884-1962 | Corner of Warner Ave & 96th St | 1 | W | In 1954 the state fire warden condemned Schenck School and it looked like it would have to be closed. The local citizens quickly raised $3,000 for repairs and it was open until 1962 when it annexed to Fremont Schools. Two years later the school was purchased by the Eager Beaver 4-H Club. Looks abandoned in 2024 |
Flowing Well #10 | Ensley | Newaygo | by 1883-1965 | Intersection of 112th Ave & Locust St | 8 | W/B | The school received its name because of a flowing well on the E side of the school. The original 1883 wooden-frame school was replaced by a brick school in 1907. The original school sold and moved to be used as a residence. The district annexed to Grant Public Schools, but if the students were unsatisfied they then could choose to go to Howard City, Tri-County, Grant and a few to Cedar Springs. They could choose whatever was closest for them to attend |
Anscomb #6 | Bridgeton | Newaygo | 1900-1944 | Fitzgerald Ave & 128th St | 29 | W | No records or photos of this school have been located. Dates of use are estimates |
Little Jackson/Home Township Hall #6 | Home | Newaygo | 1901-1953 | NE corner of 14 Mile Rd & Walnut Ave. Little Jackson Corner | 21 | W | Located at Little Jackson Corners the Jackson family members were descendents of Milton Jackson who in the 1880s settled on the land where the Big Jackson School is located. All that is left of the Little Jackson School is the foundation among the pines. It is thought that the school was sold as a hunting cabin and moved. At 11 ft x 23 ft it was just too small as a school. The wood shed was almost as large as the school. An article in the February 26, 1953 Muskegon Chronicle stated that Little Jackson School in Home Township, Newaygo County, lays claim to the title of being the smallest school in Michigan. Later in 1953 Little Jackson closed and joined Big Jackson School District. Currently still being used as the Township Hall. Students moving onto H.S. go to Baldwin Schools |
Beaver/North #3 | Beaver | Newaygo | circa 1880's-1950's | Located at the corner of Stone & 8 Mile Rds | 26 | W | Beaver School was also known as North School as it was on North farmland. The first North School is still standing, but it was moved about 1891 to the E to the Harding Farm. Then a new schoolhouse was constructed on the original site, but burned-down in a blizzard in 1922. In the 1950's North School consolidated into the Hesperia School system and the school reverted to the Elisa North Farm. The wooden building is still standing and is privately owned |
Birch Grove #4 | Lincoln | Newaygo | 1895-early 1960's | 3962 N Felch at Five Mile Rd near Diamond Lake | 11 | W/B | Between 1892-95, Birch Grove bought the building from Park City for $35 and moved it. Park City was a lumbering camp in Newaygo County. When it was no longer needed the villagers of Birch Grove purchased it for $35. It was an active school until the early 1960's when the school district annexed to White Cloud. It was then used as a community center before being abandoned in the early 1970's. It is now owned by the International Backpackers Inc. and used as a hostel for hikers and bikers using The North Country Trail which goes from NY to South Dakota. It passes through Michigan at White Cloud. Birch Grove is listed on the State Register of Historic Sites |
Damm #2 | Bridgeton | Newaygo | by 1880-1923 | In S/20 along the Muskegon River | 20 | W | The Damm School was closed in 1923 and later moved to 116th and Fitzgerald Ave in S/17 and renamed Palmer School |
Dudgeon #5 | Goodwell | Newaygo | 1890's-1950's | Located S of 1 Mile Rd just E of Locust Ave | 32 | W | Named after the Dudgeon family. Was a small wooden-framed school |
Brohman/Otia #5f | Merrill | Newaygo | 1884-1959 | At the corner of M-37 & Pierce Rd in community called North Woods | 24 | W | Otia/Brohman Community School. Closed |
Denver #2 | Denver | Newaygo | by 1864-1945 | 1st Log School at Maynard's Corners. Just S of Village of Denver, Corner of Jefferson & Green Rds | 27 | Log/W | Had been District #1 prior to 1880. Then renumbered District #2. The log school was sold for $11. Wooden-frame school built on same site. The classroom was large and at times two teachers were employed. There were two other rooms and one used as the kitchen. In 1915 there were two teachers employed. The school closed in 1945 and students transferred to Hesperia. See Hesperia Library for more info and photos |
Van Korlaar #8 | Sheridan | Newaygo | by 1880-1965 | On Warner just S of 64th St | 13 | W/B | Originally Van Korlaar was wooden-frame. Then a brick school was built. The district closed in 1965. The Fremont Veterans of Foreign Wars purchased the building for their meetings. The building was sold again in 2010 when the VFW built a new hall in another location |
Woodland Park #5 | Merrill | Newaygo | 1914-1957 | Located at 11 Mile & Bingham Rds | 10 | W | Woodland Park School was developed in the 1920's as a summer resort for African Americans in the nearby Idlewild Resort. It may have been a Standard School, and photos showing it in good repair. When the photo was taken is unknown |
Hill #9 | Sheridan | Newaygo | 1872-by 1954 | 4 miles S of Fremont on 80th St just W of Warner | 24 | B | This nice looking brick school closed prior to 1954 |
Foxwood #4 | Big Prairie | Newaygo | 1901-1957 | Corner of 24th & Elm Sts, S/16 | 16/20 | Log/W | Original temporary structure built in 1901 in S/20. A permanent wooden-frame school was built in 1903 and is located in S/16 on 24th and Elm Sts. Foxwood and 4 other schools were auctioned off by Big Prairie in 1946. It stated that Foxwood was 30 ft x 20 ft with a wood shed of 12 ft x 16 ft |
Ramona/Diamond Lake #1 | Lincoln | Newaygo | by 1880's-1942 | Corner of Mundy Dr & Jackson Rd | 13 | W | The lumber company employed many men who had families and the company would set up schools for the children of the workers. In the late 1800's West Michigan Lumber Company set up with Diamond Lake Mill. After the mill closed the Diamond Lake Ice Company of Grand Rapids employed up to 240 men. At some point the school was called Ramona and Romona School. Burned-down in the winter of 1941-42. The students finished the year, but then started the fall at Birch Grove and some went to White Cloud. Diamond Lake had indoor restrooms which was a plus |
Reeman #7 | Sheridan | Newaygo | 1870-1965 | This school was at 3 different sites in Sections 6, 7, & 8 | 6/7/8 | W | Village of Reeman Schoolhouse. Building later reused |
Lincoln Center/Poplar Grove/Patterson #2 | Lincoln | Newaygo | by 1936-1942 | Originally on 3 Mile Rd in S/16. Later on Wisner Ave in S/21 | 16/21 | W | The Poplar Grove School was originally on 3 Mile Rd. Later it was abandoned and a new school was built on Wisner Ave in S/21. It was then called the Lincoln Center. It was also known as Patterson School and was annexed to White Cloud School. The school closed in 1942. It is possible it closed as it did not want to be integrated with children of black families who had moved into that district. The newest school was then remodelled and is now the Lincoln Township Hall and is in good repair. The school after the log school, the one in S/16 was turned into a residence that burned-down |
Rootstown #2 | Sherman | Newaygo | 1865-1965 | 48th St & Baldwin Ave | 33 | W | This was the first school built in the Township. Named for the first teacher, Mrs. Rilla Dickinson Root. The first Rootstown was a wooden structure. In 1885, a 2nd brick school was built. Around 1900 the school was covered in red brick and divided into two-rooms with 2 teachers. It closed in 1965 and consolidated with Fremont Schools. After closure it was used as farm grain storage |
Smith #7 | Goodwell | Newaygo | by 1912-after 1942 | Intersection of Beech & 5 Mile Rd | 11 | W | Sometimes referred to as the Smith School of Woodville. Date it closed and current status unknown |
Robinson Lake #5 | Sherman | Newaygo | 1900-1923/1930's | N side of Robinson Lake at 12th & McClelland Rd | 10 | W | The school closed in 1923, but was opened again for a while in the 1930's |
Big Jackson #1f | Home | Newaygo | 1898-current | 402 E 13 Mile Rd, Paris MI | 36 | W | Big Jackson School has been a place of learning for over 100 years. Although the exact date it opened is unknown. In the spring of 1931 the school did burn-down. While waiting for a new school to be built the students had to go 4 miles S to Foxville. Many of the rural one-room schools around 1954 consolidated to Big Jackson. That included Whipple, Little Jackson, Riverside, McDuffy, and Stone. Those wanting to go onto H.S. had their choice of moving to Baldwin, Reed City or Big Rapids. They paid tuition for their students to attend there. Although no longer a one-room school, it appears to be teaching elementary grade students in Paris, Michigan. A 28 ft x 38 ft addition was added to the school and it got its first computer installed in March of 1983 |
Wheat #4 | Ashland | Newaygo | 1866-1964 | On Wisner Ave between 124th & 136th Sts | 28 | W | Wheat School annexed to Grant Schools in 1964. Grant Schools then used the schoolhouse for storage. There was talk some years later of letting the fire department practice by burning it down. The bell from Wheat School had been removed from the belfry when the school closed and is now rung at Grant High School Football games when a touchdown is scored. There are now plans to restore Wheat School including returning the bell to the belfry |
McDuffy #4f | Norwick | Newaygo | 1897-about 1967 | Presently on the corner of 12 Mile & Pine Ave | 6 | W | Mr. McDuffy donated the land for this school. This school was moved once so the children would not have to walk over two miles. It was moved with planks, a chain and a horse. In the 1950's the enrollment was down to 5 students and the school was closed. They were bussed to Big Rapids until enrollment increased. Then in 1957 it was annexed to Big Jackson and the school was used for K-3rd grades. In February 1971 the school was sold for $3,050 and is now a residence |
Cooley #1 | Bridgeton | Newaygo | by 1900-by 1949 | May have been in the center of S/10 | 10 | W | There is only 1 photo and a little bit of information on Cooley School |
Fry/Frey #2 | Ensley | Newaygo | 1859-1966 | SW corner of 136th St & Locust Ave | 31 | W | One of the first schools to be built in the Township. Annexed in 1966 to Grant Public, but if students were unsatisfied they could then choose to go to Howard City, Tri-County Grant or Cedar Springs. They could choose whatever was closest for them to attend. Edna Swanson went from K-8 at Frey School, then went to Grant H.S. and graduated in 1929. She then went to Western Michigan and in 1936 received a BA, and taught K-8th in a one-room school in Grant |
Taylor French #1 | Big Prairie | Newaygo | 1855-1957 | Originally 1 mile S of Big Prairie Post Office when known as Taylor School | 20 | Log/W | In 1855-56 Taylor was built in S/20 (a log school). Later between 1880-1900, it was moved 1 mile E and known then as French School. Very possibly was rebuilt as a wooden-frame school as shown in photos |
Jibson #3 | Bridgeton | Newaygo | 1876-June 1966 | On Dickinson Rd near 10th St | 5 | W | Unlike most of the voters in other rural districts, the Jibson School voters defeated a proposal to annex to a larger district when the vote was taken in 1964. By June of 1966 Jibson had decided to annex to Fremont Public Schools. The schoolhouse was sold and became a residence |
Kimball Lake #5 | Garfield | Newaygo | 1878-1957 | Located on Ferris Rd near 56th St & Named for the Lake | 2 | Log/W/CB | Kimball Lake was originally a log school called Ward's School. The district re-organized in 1881 and the name changed to Kimball Lake and a new schoolhouse was built about 1889. In 1943 the school closed and officially consolidated with Fremont and Newaygo Schools in 1957. Students living W of Ferris went to Fremont and those living E of Ferris went to Newaygo. Then in May 1966 the school burned to the ground. It was in the process of being remodeled into a residence. It is thought that a cigarette was dropped and started some rags on fire |
White Cloud Agricultural | Wilcox | Newaygo | 1918-1965 | Various locations in White Cloud starting in 1878 | Various | W | By 1947 more and more rural schools were sending all their students or their H.S. students to White Cloud and paying tuition. White Cloud kept adding buildings and a large school building was constructed in 1961. About that time White Cloud had 1,300 students and 63 teachers, 5 secretaries, 7 aides, 5 cooks, 9 custodians and 15 bus drivers. In 1947 rural schools sending students or having annexed to White Cloud were Everett, Goodwell, Monroe, Wilson, Sherman and Lincoln |
Barton #3 | Big Prairie | Newaygo | 1880-1932 | 12th St & Locust Ave | 8 | W | It is reported that Barton was a Standard School. It, and 4 others, were auctioned off in 1946 by Big Prairie. It stated that Barton was 34 ft x 24 ft with a woodshed 14 ft x 20 ft |
Lilley #2 | Lilley | Newaygo | by 1929-1958 | Located near Pettibone Lake at the corner of 15 Mile Rd & M-37 | 22 | W | There is no date when Lilley #2 opened it's schoolhouse doors, but a photo dated circa 1929 indicates it was open by then. It annexed to Baldwin Schools in 1958. It still stands about one mile E of the Lilley Corners, N of Bitely. It has been remodeled into a residence |
Towne #6f | Monroe | Newaygo | after 1900-1937 | M-20 near Woodville (Corner of Poplar & 6 Mile Rd) | 35 | W | The school was in operation until the 1936-37 school year. It had no electricity, an outside pump and outhouses. A few years later the Civilian Conservation Corp demolished the building due to a government mistake. The district was paid for the demolished school and the property itself was put up for sale and sold in 1942 |
Pine Grove #5 | Croton | Newaygo | 1883-1946 | At 88th & Beecher Sts | 26 | W | Pine Grove #5 was a wooden-frame school. In 1901 they reshingled their roof and allowed Sunday School to be held there. In 1946 they closed and annexed to Howard City Schools |
Howard #2 | Merrill | Newaygo | by 1930's-1945 | Located at the corner of 6 Mile & Croswell Rds | 32 | W | The students attended Lincoln Township School or Birch Grove after Howard officially closed in 1945. Not much is known about this school and no photos have been located |
Lordon #2f | Dayton | Newaygo | by 1880-1999 | Corner of Green & 48th Sts | 34 | W/B | The first Lordon School was a wooden-frame building built prior to 1880. A second brick building was later built next to the first wooden-frame school. Louden annexed to Fremont who used Louden for adult and special education during the 1980's and 1990's. The old wood building was torn-down in 1986 and the brick school building was moved in 1999, so the funeral home could expand |
Mena/Minnie Creek/Water #5 | Lincoln | Newaygo | by 1916-after 1944 | Located on 4 Mile Road between Lucy & Baldwin Ave | 17 | W | This school had many names. It was first known as Water School and then Mena Creek School and finally Minnie Creek School. Named after the Sam Mena Lumber Company. The school had indoor chemical toilets. After 1944 the school picked up the students with a bus |
Pangborn #4 & #8 | Ensley | Newaygo | by 1883-1965 | On border of Newaygo & Montcalm Counties.136th St & Cypress Ave | 34 | W | The Pangborn family moved to the area in the 1850's. Also known as East School because it was on the E side of Township. Elisha Pangborn built a store there in the 1860's. Annexed to Grant Public, but if unsatisfied students could then choose to go to Howard City, Tri-County Grant, or Cedar Springs. They could choose whatever was closest for them to attend |
Fry/Slade #1 | Everett | Newaygo | by 1880-1959 | White/Moorland, S/8 | 8/24 | W | Originally known as Slade when at its original location S of Bison's Corners on Pine St. Slade was moved to the corner of Oak and 28th Sts and became the Fry School. This was in the 1880's. In May of 1959, Fry consolidated into the White Cloud Public Schools and all were bussed to White Cloud. The Fry building was purchased and renamed Fry Chapel. Sunday School classes were held there. The building still stands |
Richards/Kaiser #4 | Wilcox | Newaygo | by 1910-1932 | Originally SE corner of Poplar & Van Buren Rds but moved two more times | 9 | W | Richards School was originally on Poplar and Van Buren. It was then moved a couple of miles N. Still later it was moved again. Kaiser School is believed to have replaced Richards School. The school closed prior to 1932 and many of the students transferred to Towne School in Monroe Township after Kaiser School closed. The Kaiser Schoolhouse became a residence |
Huntley #1 | Troy | Newaygo | after 1922-1957 | Corner of 16 Mile Rd & Dickinson Ave | 8 | W | It is possible that sometime after the plat map of 1922 that does not show Huntley that it replaced Bethke School as both are numbered District #1. The school was later sold and used as a hunting cabin |
Bigelow #2 | Everett | Newaygo | by 1895-1959 | Named for Bigelow Creek which flowed behind the school | 28 | W | Bigelow School was wooden-framed with a basement. It was annexed to White Cloud Public Schools in the fall of 1959. It was sold and remodeled into a residence that still stands |
Troy #3 | Troy | Newaygo | by 1905-1957 | Located at the corner of 13 Mile & Dickinson Rds sat Troy School #3 | 32 | W | This nice looking wooden-framed school had outhouses. By 1948 the students were being transported to Walkerville. The district officially annexed to Walkerville School District in 1957 |
Pleasant Valley #7 | Everett | Newaygo | by 1884-after 1954 | NE corner of 8th & Oak Sts | 1/4 | W | In 1884 Pleasant Valley was listed as School District #4. In the 1950's () annexed to White Cloud Schools |
bottom of page