THE MICHIGAN ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE ASSOCIATION

Beaver Zion Lutheran School

Beaver

Bay

1865-1946

Seidler & 11 Mile Rds

21

W

In 1885 a church was completed that also served as a school. In 1904 a new church was built and the old church became the school. Enrollment steadily increased. In 1916 a new brick school was dedicated to accommodate the students residing 4-6 miles S of Zion School. On April 6, 1917 the United States entered WWI and 28 young men, once students of Zion, were in the U.S. military forces. None lost their lives. Both German and English were used at school. In 1949 a new Zion School was built to replace the old North and South schools. Bever School annexed to Bay city Schools and Beaver school was auctioned off. Bay Co p. 107

Amelith #2

Frankenlust

Bay

1890-1958

3 miles SW of the Frankenlust settlement at 1851 E of Mackinaw & Amelith Rds

8

W

A Lutheran Church and Amelith Public School #2 (a 2nd #2) were next to each other and students attended both for different subjects. This ceased in 1900. A brand new school for St. John Lutheran School-Amelith was completed in 2006. The construction doubles the size of the Frankenlust Township School. Bay Co p. 247

Brissette #5

Kawkawlin

Bay

1879-1956

Brissette by M-13 & Parish Rd in 1949

11

W

Brissette was a small, white wooden two-room school. In 1949/50 it moved to a new school now the Bay Area Health Center for Handicapped. Bay Intermediate Schools Supplies were meager. There was no school library, but the students did have textbooks. Music was taught by voice. In 1958/59 there were 169 students enrolled. Bay Co p. 129

Lone Star #5

Pinconning

Bay

1902-1956

NW corner of Neuman & 7 Mile Rds

31

W

One-room wooden-frame school facing Neuman Rd. In the 1920's a 2nd classroom was added. Annexed to Pinconning Area Schools in 1956. County Schools of Bay County p. 212

Fraser/Kitchen #5

Fraser

Bay

by 1900-1956

Kitchen Rd between Fraser & 7 Mile Rds

5

W/B

Originally there was a one-room schoolhouse. Enrollment increased rapidly. By the early 1930's there were over 70 children in the small schoolroom. It was then decided to build a brick, two-room school. When Fraser Township Schools merged with Pinconning it became the home of migrant workers. It is now used for storage and as a recycling center. Bay Co p. 236

Warren #8

Williams

Bay

1941-1956-1998

Off 7 Mile Rd, 1/2 mile E on the N side of Townline Rd

38

W

In 1941, Warren was a one-room school, but in 1942-43 it became a two-room with 2 teachers and an addition of a kitchen was added for hot lunches. In 1962 the school was dissolved and became part of the new school in Kawkawlin Township (the Ben Franklin School). The children from Bedell, Warren, Town Hall and were bussed to Kawkawlin

LeFevre #4

Williams

Bay

1870-1963

W side of Flajole Rd, 1/2 mile S of Wheeler Rd

8

B

In 1886 a frame school was built, with an addition added in 1896. A red brick building was erected in 1907. There were two teachers in 1954. First they annexed to Forest School and then it appears they annexed to Bay City, and the school property was purchased from Bay City. The building was used as a preschool for about 2 years and then sold in 1961 for $2,000. It is still standing but abandoned Bay Co Schools p. 31

Mount Vernon #4

Bangor

Bay

1906-1953

Bangor & Wheeler Rds

9

CB

A two-room cement brick schoolhouse was built in 1906. In 1909, #4 had 76 students. 8th grades were in these two-rooms. There were 65 children and 2 teachers. After additions it had 4 teachers, four-rooms, a basement and a lunch program. (Vertical Files Bay Area Library) County Schools of Bay Co p. 55

French Town #4

Pinconning

Bay

1890-1956

Cody/Estey Rd, W of Mackinaw Rd

16

W

Another typical one-room, white-framed schoolhouse is located on the N side of Cody-Estey Rd, just W of Mackinaw Rd. All Pinconning rural schools were consolidated with the Pinconning Area School System in 1956. The schoolhouse was sold and first used for Mexican migrant workers. Later it was restored as a typical one-room schoolhouse and also utilized as an office for the Richard Narcos Company, Pinconning Metals. It is located just across the road from the first old school

Willard #1 (later #5)

Beaver

Bay

1872-1963

SW corner of Beaver & 11 Mile Rds, 6 1/2 miles N of Auburn

33

W

Originally #1 as it was the first school built in Beaver Township in 1872. In 1885 the school was on 11 Mile Rd. In 1884 Willard #1 became Willard #5. (see below) In 1887 ten maple trees were planted as a boundary around the school acre. 4 are still alive today. The Willard School was sold and moved to a farm on Townline Rd in 1968. It was used as a machine shed. The bell in the Willard School belfry was placed in the belfry of the Beaver Zion Church. Bay Co p. 92. Beaver Township re-numbered and re-names their schools as follows: Oxbow #1, Cherry #2, Duel #3, McKeith #4, Willard #5 & Seidler #6

West Crump #5

Garfield

Bay

1880-1956

SW Anderson Rd, 1 mile W of Garfield Rd facing Anderson Rd

28

B

A red brick school replaced the first wooden school building in Garfield District #5. The first building was from the early 1880's. After consolidation in 1956 with Pinconning Schools, West Crump became the home of a religious group called Daniel Band. The building is now demolished. Bay Co p. 262

Arn/Arn Station #5

Merritt

Bay

1880-1962

Located about 1/4 of a mile from the Arn Station on the Michigan Central RR line from Detroit to Bay City. It faces W on Nolet Rd, near Kenny Rd

34

W

Built on one acre of donated land, a 2nd room was added in 1917 to the schoolhouse. Then the building burned in 1942. It was rebuilt as a one-room school, but within a year a 2nd room was added. In 1958 there were 42 students enrolled at Arn School. Arn School consolidated with the Reese School in Tuscola County in 1962. A family purchased the schoolhouse and remodeled it into a residence. Bay Co p. 175

Essexville #3

Hampton

Bay

1870-1957

Log school erected on E side of Essexville. Replaced by a brick school at same site

13

Log/B/B

Originally the students in Essexville #3 attended a log school. Essexville became a city in 1934. The log school burned-down in 1879 and a two story brick school replaced it on the site was called Union school. In 1927 the two-room brick school was over crowded and was replaced and named Hughes School. Additions and renovations have been made and it is now a part of Essexville School District. In 1962 Essexville-Hampton created their own school district. They educated their students from grades K thru 8th grade. Country Schools of Bay Co p. 6

Bradford/South Williams School #1

Williams

Bay

1856-1962

Corner of Charles Bradford Farm, near Auburn on 9 Mile Rd

26

Log/W

The first school was known as LaLonde School, but later was named Bertie. In 1909 a cement block schoolhouse was constructed where students could complete the 10th grade of H.S. To finish H.S. students could go to Pinconning or elsewhere. Bertie closed in 1956 when the district consolidated with Pinconning. It was used as a migrant camp for a number of years and then boarded up. As of 2010 it was still boarded up and seems abandoned with a for sale sign on the building. Bay Co p. 282

Oxbow #1

Beaver

Bay

by 1895-1956/63

W side of 9 Mile Rd where Boutell Rd ends

12

W

The first school at this site was a one-room frame school facing E on 9 Mile Rd. As Polish pioneers settled in the area another room was added on the N side. Oxbow School was a two-room wooden-frame school. Before 1900 it was known as Harrison and in time was changed to Oxbow for it's unique location on High and at the N branch of the Kawkawlin river. In 1958 there were 28 students enrolled. Annexed to Bay City Schools. Ater closing as a school 10 years ago it was then sold and used as a migrant clothing center. Later auctioned off for $2700. Bay Co p. 79

State Road/State Road Crossing #1

Fraser

Bay

1884-1956

Erikson Rd, 1/2 mile E of M-13

11

W

This one-room school had to have a 2nd room added as enrollment increased in the 1920's. After the school was annexed to the Pinconning Area School system in 1956 the building was converted into a residence. Bay Co p. 220

Weldon #3

Weldon

Benzie

Pioneer & Landus Rds

16 near

Only foundation left

Buchanan

Inland

Benzie

11

Wollin #3

Colfax

Benzie

Wallin Rd E of Thompsonville Rd

9

Fredrickson #4

Blaine

Benzie

1891-1964

Moved and used until 1964 at which time it closed and became a summer home On M-22 Frankfort

16 or 13

B

The brick school moved in 1906 to its current location. It closed in 1964. Used as a private retreat for 50 years, but purchased in 2021 and totally remodeled into a One-room school bed and breakfast with many original school items such as the wood floor boards, slate chalkboards, etc.

Champion Hill

Weldon

Benzie

Homestead Rd

17

W

The school inspectors report for Weldon in 1883 lists 2 school districts with 25 students & 2 frame schoolhouses

David Grayson #1

Homestead

Benzie

1864

1014 Pioneer & Homestead Rds

33

W

Source: Murlyn Vollink, 257 Brook St, Box 203, Saugatuck, MI. A summer guest house, Owned by Dolly Maasgard (2000)

Conley #4

Benzonia

Benzie

Hammen & Ayleworth Rds

?

Cooley

Benzonia

Benzie

36

Green Briar

Almira

Benzie

Cedar Run Rd, 1/2 mile E of Reynolds Rd

2

Residence. Contact: James Morse, 231-275-7826, Helen White, 231-275-7804, Vera Carmein, 231-275-7362, Elsie Bryan, 231-275-7551

Griner

Colfax

Benzie

26

Merring Lake

Blaine

Benzie

18

Lake Ann

Almira

Benzie

-late 1920's

On top of hill on Maple St, just E of the Village Property

23

W

Gone in 1928. Torn-down around 1930, the lumber was used to built the Almira Township Hall. Site now occupied by Jim and Pat Morse. It is now a residence. Contact: James Morse, 231-275-7826, Helen White, 231-275-7804, Vera Carmein, 231-275-7362, or Elsie Bryan, 231-275-7551. School and most of village burned-down in 1897. Rebuilt then torn-down in the 1950's. Lumber from the school was used to build Town Hall. Now has a new Elementary School that is part of the Benzie District Schools. Michigan Shadow Towns p. 27

Elm Grove

Inland

Benzie

5

Consolidated School

New Buffalo

Benzie

1949

New Buffalo Elementary: 12291 Lubke Rd, New Buffalo (present location)

Boasted seven sets of twins in 1949. Nice photo with names. Other sports photos

Almira Lake

Almira

Benzie

16

Thomas A. Edison #2

Benzonia

Benzie

Corner of CR 669 & CR 610

Putney #2

Blaine

Benzie

1912-1963

29

Nessen

Colfax

Benzie

1892-

34

Was a two-story building, 2nd story removed during the depression. The thought was that these schools would be large enough for years to come. By 1939, an Elementary wing was added to the High School and in 1954 band & shop rooms also were constructed. By 1957, there were over 1,000 students in attendance at schools that had been designed for 550 students. In 1959, a new twelve-room Elementary School on W Detroit St, and six-rooms plus a cafeteria were added to the Central School. Again they soon ran out of room. In 1973 an addition to the W Elementary School was completed. There are 2 parochial schools in New Buffalo

Corner Grove #1

Gilmore

Benzie

M-22 & Grace Rd across from Cemetery

2

Extant, Residence. Gilmore Cemetery is across Grace Rd

Bendon

Inland

Benzie

1888-

Lake Ann Rd, E side of US-31

23

W

Morgan #1

Platte

Benzie

1894-1994

At Esch & Indian Hill Rds in Honor Michigan

7

Log/W

Traverse City Record Eagle 6/23/1994 short article on the school

Drake #2

Platte

Benzie

1892-1943

Intersection of Fowler & Valley Rds, BENZONIA, MI 49616

16

W

When built in 1879 it was called the Gretchall School. In 1906 the name changed to The Drake School after the new farmer. In 1988 the Benzie Historical Society opened the school as a Museum showing how a One-room school would look

Amidon

Bendozia

Benzie

US-31 & Honor Rd

28

Contact: Frank Hurlbut, South Haven, attended 1921-26. Teachers included Grace Garrett, 1921-22, Carrie Wressel, 1922, & Leon Scharman, 1923

Edgewater

Benzonia

Benzie

1888-1928

Overlooks the 2 Platte Lakes

27

Watervale #7

Blaine

Benzie

-1892

Moved about 1 mile to its current location on M-22 It replaced the smaller Fredrickson #4.

13

Moved in 1906 to its current location, but still in Watervale. Converted into a 3 bed, 2 bath UP North retreat. On one acre. Borders Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve

Carter

Inland

Benzie

19

Consolidated School

New Buffalo

Benzie

1949

New Buffalo Area School District 1112 E Clay St, New Buffalo (Present location) (HS and MS)

The thought was that these schools would be large enough for years to come. However, by 1939 an Elementary wing was added to the High School and in 1954 Band & Shop rooms also were constructed. By 1957 there were over 1,000 students in attendance at schools that had been designed for 550 students. In 1959, a new 12 room Elementary School on W Detroit St, and 6 rooms plus a cafeteria were added to the Central School. Again they soon ran out of room. In 1973 an addition to the W Elementary School was completed. There are 2 parochial schools in New Buffalo

Wood

Blaine

Benzie

31

Wallaker #4

Benzonia

Benzie

1877-1894

845 Michigan Ave, Benzonia, MI 49616

33

W

Business, Retail Sales

Grace #12

Benzonia

Benzie

Corner of Grace & Forrester Rds, Benzonia

31

Wrote for info. 3/6/97, Pauline Baver

Pleasant Grove

Inland

Benzie

1

Weldon #2

Weldon

Benzie

18

First teacher: Miss Nellie Judson, Benzie County Museum

Rust

Inland

Benzie

31

Frost Corners

Benzonia

Benzie

2-3 miles E of Portland Rd

West Almira

Almira

Benzie

-1963

Corner of CR 669 & Almira Rd

17 near

Closed in 1963. Used as a residence. Contact: James Morse, 231-275-7826, Helen White, 231-275-7804, Vera Carmein, 231-275-7362, Elsie Bryan, 231-275-7551

Inland #1

Inland

Benzie

US-31 at Island Corners near Bendon

12

W

Source: Frank Hurlbut, 67663 CR 388 No. 17, South Haven, MI, who was a student (1924-26) Teacher: Cora Bernice Sears: Frank born 2 miles S of Bendon Village. Student: Leonard Amidon, resident of Interlocken, MI. Bendon is now a ghost town

Ward

Crystal Lake

Benzie

M-115 near Lobb Rd

24 near

Grace

Gilmore

Benzie

1892-

31

Edgar A. Guest #4

Joyfield

Benzie

13

See Wallaker School #4

Liberty Union #2

Benzonia

Benzie

Marshall & Narrow Gauge Rds

30

Benzie County Historical Society

Champion

Benzonia

Benzie

1893-

Marshall Rd

30 near

Built in 1893

Oliver Holmes

Joyfield

Benzie

16

Joy

Joyfield

Benzie

27

Thompsonville

Weldon

Benzie

Before 1900- by 1960's

Village on southern border of Benzie County, 1 mile N of M-115 (part of Village in Colfax Township)

36

About 1895, Thompsonville merged with Beecher. The town had two schools with 300 students by 1900. By the 1960's some children were going to privately operated Thompsonville Ag School (started 1925) until it burned-down in 1991. Michigan Shadow Towns p. 29

Cement/Forrest #4

Almira

Benzie

1878-1901

Hwy 669 & Hooker Rd

29 near

CB

McKinstry

Blaine

Benzie

1875-

3760 Mick Rd, Frankfort, MI 49635

17 near

Built in 1875. Sat up on a hill. Now a Bed/Breakfast

Howard

Blaine

Benzie

26

Ernest T. Seaton

Inland

Benzie

16

Eden #3

Benzonia

Benzie

Worden & Hill Rds

13

Source: Murlyn Vollink, 257 Brook St, Saugatuck, MI

Demerley #3

Joyfield

Benzie

Demerly Rd W of US-31

11 near

Residence. Connection with Oliver Wendell Holmes

Pine Grove

Inland

Benzie

Near Bendon

23 near

W

Franklin School

Joyfield

Benzie

Wallaker Rd, E of US-31

25

Edgar A. A guest has some connection with the school

Chadwick Elem #1

Sodus

Berrien

by 1865-

4100 Watson Rd

Clip in H-P 4/15/96. Records at Sodus Library include minutes of meetings, teacher record books & contracts, 1865

Bronson #12

Bertrand

Berrien

Mentioned in newspapers. Alta (Wright) Tormey taught there in 1900, a total of two years. Contact: Karyl Mattix, Kalamazoo (Alta's granddaughter)

Ingraham #4

Coloma

Berrien

1958

6514 Coloma N Rd, Corner of Coloma N & Hagar Shore Rds

6?

This two-room school was 1 of 10 rural schools that annexed to Coloma Community Schools in the late 1950's. As of 2003 Still standing On Hagar Shore Rd and Coloma Rd. North Berrien Internet Information, Part 1

Eamon #4

Hagar

Berrien

1854-by 1958

Between 1724 & 1749 Maple Lane Rd just E of Earman Rd, Hagar Station, Hagar Township

Log

Built in 1854 of logs. Beyond Shingle Diggins Miss Una Hower teacher in 108 Old Time School Internet

Bell #2 also known as Barnhardt?

Niles

Berrien

No info

Watervliet #2

Watervliet

Berrien

Curtis #2

Hagar

Berrien

1846-1928

Kerlikowske Rd

Original school burned in 1860's. It was replaced. Closed in 1928. 1 of 10 rural schools that annexed to Coloma Community Schools about 1958. North Berrien Internet Information, Part 1. Later used as a Community Social Center. Old Time School Internet

Hollywood #6f

Royalton

Berrien

189_

N Hollywood Rd

W

Plan from School, Architecture Bulletin 19__61st Annual Report 1897, State Supt. See source in March 1946 newspaper.

Gard #1

St Joseph Village

Berrien

Hilltop Rd & Cleveland Ave

Gone. H-P Clip April, 1995. Gard District. No longer standing

Pucker #20f

Berrien

Berrien

1849-1963

SW corner of Ludwell Robertson's meadow on the same Rd

35

Log/W

One teacher. Log school originally called Washington School. A new school was built across the road and name probably changed to Pucker #20f. . At some point the newer school was dismantled and became the site for the building of a new residence

Tryon #2

Royalton

Berrien

1840

Corner of John Beers & Scottsdale Rds

Log

Built in 1840. Now used as Township Hall/Community Center. Available for rent. Seems to have been located in two different Townships

Select

Watervliet

Berrien

Opened 1849/51

Charles Bostwick started the school and then sold it. Later it was turned into a tavern by Moses Sargent. The tavern was named The Osgood House. Old time Schools. Internet

Riverside/Hagar #3 or #6

Hagar

Berrien

1861-

Originally on St. Joseph Rd (Now Riverside)

36

Log?

The organization meeting in 1861 for Riverside/Hagar may have been held in the Eamons School. Mary Jane McCary was the first teacher and held a 26 week school year. She received $2.00 per week. School began in November and ran for 4 months, and then a month break, and then resumed. Jan. 1994 article in H-P. Operating. Was a K-8 school

Farry-Eureka #1

Hills Corner

Berrien

1871-1966

Thomas/Frances Farry, 6943 Bailey Rd, Eau Claire, MI

B

Contact: Thomas/Frances Farry, 6943 Bailey Rd, Eau Claire, MI 49111. 1871-1966, not used, MORSA. Also known as Eureka School

Waldron #7

Galien

Berrien

NW corner of Olive Branch & Rickerman Rds

16

Hinchman #2

Oronoko

Berrien

1889-1957

1286 E Hinchman Rd at Scottsdale, Berrien Springs

B

Not in use. Good condition, two-rooms. State Historic Site 1979

Shingle Diggins

Watervliet

Berrien

1837-1838

NW of Coloma & Hartford Rds

Log

Appears to be first school in Township. and given them by F. W. Deacon who built the school. Beyond Shingle Diggin's September 16, 1998 See A 20t ctr history of Berrien County page 229. Mary Youngs teacher

Galien #5f

Galien

Berrien

Village

Six teachers. Township Unit 1925-26

Eureka #1

Pipestone

Berrien

Corner of Preston and Old Pipestone Road

See Farry School. In 1965 annexed to Berrien Springs. Now a private residence

Three Oaks #1

Three Oaks

Berrien

1852/54

Original school may have been held in the home of W. H. Hinkley. Later Corner of Elm and Ash Streets.

Built in early 1850's and a newer school built and then added onto in 1877 and 1896. It was a High School Building in 1906. The High School burned 1-3-1919. A new school was built in 1921 and additions made in the following years. First teacher was Miss Goodrich. Also Lottie Heard of Niles taught 1854/55. Old Time Schools. Internet

Forrest Hill #9

Bertrand

Berrien

One teacher

Hand #3

Berrien

Berrien

1864-1956

Range Line Rd & Lake Chapin Rd intersection

25

W/Log

Hand School was a wood-frame school with a basement, cloak room, and it had a 14 ft ceiling. It taught K-8th grades. Later students who needed 7th or 8th grade went to Niles or Berrien Springs depending on transportation. After closing, it was renovated with logs for a log home Had a basement and cloak room. Closed in mid 1950's due to consolidation. Remodeled and now a residence Sharing Memories p. 35-42

Brick #13f

Niles

Berrien

No info

Marshall #3

Buchanan

Berrien

Corner of Wagner & Broceus Rds

One teacher. See Broceus School

Stewart #2f

Lincoln

Berrien

181-closed about 1957

Lake Shore Drive and Glenlord Road

Steward was closed about 1957 when a New Stewart School was built. Old Time Schools Internet

Beaver Dam #3

Galien

Berrien

Dickerville

Coloma

Berrien

1859

29

Dickerville became the Village of Coloma in 1859. Men had gone to the gold rush out west but we're coming back. In the 1850's in Dickerville as a school where the parents paid to send their children (subscription school). Then in 1865 after the Dickerville name change tether was a One-Room frame building that replaced the first log building

Olive Branch/South #7

Galien

Berrien

Known as South and Olive Branch School

North Division

Albion & Sheridan

Berrien

Red Brick #4

Red Brick

Berrien

1710 Friday Rd, at Hill Rd, 2 miles S of Coloma

5

See Brick School

Bainbridge #2f

Bainbridge

Berrien

1888-1967

5004 Red Run Rd, Marcellus, MI 49067

16

Township Hall Leslie Melville, 5004, Red Run Rd, Marcellus, MI 49067, Ph: 646-9884 property sold to Bainbridge Township and used for Town Hall (now Two-rooms) District #2, Fractional. Two Teachers

Charlottesville

Lake

Berrien

Lake St between Red Arrow & RR

MORSA