jiiiiii iifiilii;' The Story of McLEAN And Its WILLIAM B. BRIGHA 1«" 111 »» nsll/lowur ■IIJI B«n). Funk «7 Bloomlngtun 1S9 Cii'lock -4i* Ch«noa 177 Colfax 167 Cookivillr Mi Crop!«.v 12» Jl 101 Ellsworth 239 Gridley 16 He.vworth 197 Hudson lly Sa> brook 73 Shirley bS SUnford Chciwy '• Grovr Tow n 116 Four Comers 117 PloiMnl Valley 118 Excelsior I2U Brush College i:i Hillsdale 122 Corn Valley 123 White Hall Chenoa Township 41 Pa\Tie 242 BallanI 243 Trim 244 Maple T 245 Center 246 Enterprise 248 Bauman HIth SL.tuJUL, District No. 8, I'J l-\ r._i Lake School (9) No. liaker, teacher. The first school in this district was called Jones School for Lewis Jones who came from Kentucky. During the Civil War Mr. Jones went back to Kentucky, bought two car loads of whiskey and stored it in a warehouse at McLean. The whiskey sold at twenty-five cents per gallon, except what the natives stole by boring holes in the barrels for long straws. With the proceeds of this sale, Mr. Jones purchased one-half section of land, and lost all but the forty acres at the southwest corner of Section 35, on which the school was located. Later this land was sold to Charles Lake; and a schoolhouse was built about 1868. It was remodeled in 1917 and improved again in 1938. Lake District petitioned into the Benjamin F. Funk Consolidated School in 1939. The site was then vacated. The schoolhouse was moved to Grassy Ridge, District No. 79, where the school had burned in 1940. LoNowoRTH School (3) No. 9 Longworth School District was organized in 1865, when it consisted of nine sections. A schoolhouse was built on the hill, one-half mile north of the recent site, and was moved to the new location on the southeast corner one and three-fourths miles east of McLean, when the Tile Factory District was organized in 1873. Mr. A. T. Longworth, who gave the site, was a school director for more than fifty years. Through the years, the house was kept 92 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS in good repair, with alterations for standardization being made in 1919. This district petitioned to join the McLean Grade School District No. 1 in 1945. Tile Factory School (8) No. 10 This district, organized in 1873, consisted of six sections from the north side of Longworth School District No. 3. A schoolhouse was built on a site on the north side of the old state road near the tile factory, hence the name. Some years later, the school .building was lengthened to the north. In 1929 an addition on the south end provided coat rooms and an entrance to the new basement. It was standardized in 1917. The school was well equipped to handle the rather large enrollment. Consolidated with McLean in 1947, Tile Factory Schoolhouse was sold at public auction in 1948. Fremont School (6) No. 262 District No. 6, including eight sections, was organized in 1866. A frame schoolhouse near the recent house at the southwest corner of the N.E. ^ of Section 10 (21 N) faced north. It was called Frisby School for Jonathan Frisby who lived to the west. A new house built in 1872 has been known as Fremont School for some unknown reason. Since other districts took much of the original territory of this district, an addition of territory from DeWitt County helped maintain No. 6. The school was standardized in 1922, and an addition to the front of the building was completed in 1929. This district boasted an interested community organization. McLean included Fremont District when the Consolidated School was effected in 1947. The house was sold in 1948. McIlvain School (4) No. 11 In 1865 McIlvain District, composed of eight and one-half sections, built a schoolhouse at the half section line of Section 26. In 1869 territory to the south was detached for the Fremont District. While the house was being moved one mile north in 1870, a breakdown halted the work forty-nine rods south of the corner. The house was pulled in on an eighth acre site, on the east side but in 1887 the lot was enlarged to two-thirds of an acre. Thus the building stood on the land of Robert A. McIlvain for whom the school was named. For many years the school served as an interesting community center. In 1912 twelve hundred and forty-five acres were detached for the new Benja- min F. Funk School; and in 1914 two hundred and nineteen acres were petitioned out of this district. The ill feeling manifested led to the union of the remainder of the district with the new district in 1915. The abandoned school building was rented as a dwelling for several years. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 93 McLEAN COUNTY'S FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPORTA- TION, 1917. MoBERLY School (1) No. 12 In Benjamin F. Funk's pasture near the center of Section 10, north of Sugar Creek, a small schoolhouse was built in 1875 for Moberly District. Trails across the fields from different directions provided access to the school. Cattle and hogs roamed around the building. James Moberly, the foreman on the Funk land, lived across the creek to the south. The school was aban- doned in 1912, when the Benjamin F. Funk Consolidated School began to organize with this district. Funk's Grove School (2) No. 13 Funk's Grove School was the first school in the townsliip. A log house erected in 1827 served the community as a church and schoolhouse for many years. In 1847 a frame schoolhouse was built on the same site. In 1865, when the township was divided into four districts of nine sections each, the school was transferred to a new frame house, located about thirty rods east of the center and on the south side of Section 5. This house burned in 1870, but it was rebuilt and moved in 1875 to the west side of the state road, to a hill on the north side of what was the Isaac Walton League Park. In 1895 the road was rerouted through Funk's Grove Station, so the schoolhouse was moved to the east side of the new road to a site near the northwest corner 94 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS of Section 9. There school was conducted until 1920, when the district was consolidated with District No. 401. RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP 22N-2E Gardner Randolph, for whom this township is named, settled here in 1823. The timber, high land, and running water attracted settlers seeking homes; and the beautifully timbered area, comprising about ten sections, was completely inhabited by 1845. The prairie lands were fertile and rolling enough for good drainage. The Kickapoo, passing diagonally across the town- ship furnished the power for several mills. Lytleville was a thriving village and a contender for the county seat in 1830 when McLean County was organized. Later the town had a population of one hundred and served as a trading center for dry goods, groceries, whiskey, and sawed lumber. The early post offices were in Randolph Grove and Lytleville. Later a tavern and post office was located down the stage route (Waynesville Road) in the Short Point neighborhood. Some time before the town of Heyworth was platted in 1858, a store and post office called Enterprise had been established about a mile west. Much credit is due Campbell Wakefield in locating Heyworth, named for a director of the Illinois Central Railroad. Having donated twenty acres of land to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, Wakefield platted the village. The depot was built there instead of some distance north, where another site, called Bishop, had been surveyed. Randolph Township had many citizens prominent in public affairs, including Lieutenant Governor John Moore, Dr. Harrison Noble, Dr. A. E. Stewart, Major McFarland, and Isaac Van Ordstrand. Heywtorth School (9, 1) No. 16 The community of Heyworth has had a greater variety and multiplicity of schools than any similar area in the county. The first was a log school built north of the Jesse Funk home more than a mile east of town in the 1830s. A large fire place, a puncheon floor, and very crude furniture were a part of this primitive school. The second was held in a double cabin that had been vacated by Campbell Wakefield. In 1845 a term of school was taught in a large barn just east of town near the Wakefield residence. Mr. Funk then moved a frame house to the edge of the timber about a mile east of the barn school. This was the fourth school and it was used for some time. Mean- while other subscription schools were started north of town, first at the Cisco cabin and later in a frame house located on the Noble land. In 1853 a frame building was erected about a quarter of a mile west of the present city limits on the Van Ordstrand farm. It was known as the Locust Grove School. A few years later the Reeder School was located at the west end of this farm SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 95 some distance to the south. The Locust Grove School was then moved to the east side of town to the Willis residence site for the use of School District No. 9. School District No. 1, which included the west part of the new town, built a one-room school in 1862 across from and west of the present Christian Church, when the Reeder school was abandoned. The two districts were united in 1866 as Hey worth District No. 1. After the present site was obtained, a two-story, four-room building was constructed at a cost of $5000 and the two one-room schools were sold. A few years later the remainder of the block to the east was obtained for a playground, and two lots in the northeast corner, including the old Presbyterian Church, were purchased for a primary school. In March of 1867 the Illinois State Legislature reorganized this territory as Heyworth Special Charter District, then numbered two. The charter provided for a board of education of seven members called directors. At the end of five years the first member's term would expire; after that one would expire each year. The following were named as directors in the charter: General R. G. Laughlin, Honorable Harrison Noble, Alpheus Millinner, Samuel Hill, Isaac Van Ordstrand, Francis M. Philbrook, and Jonathan Kelly. Authorized to conduct school not less than six or more than eight months per year, the directors might also assess the pupils after six months. The new board soon organized a grade school. Young men returned from the Civil War were given an opportunity to take up or to complete various subjects. High school work, including algebra, natural sciences, and rhetoric, was started about 1876, and two years later the first high school class was graduated. School was in session four months in the winter and two in the summer. The brick school, now used for the grades, was built in 1898 at a cost of $14,000. The building was much overcrowded when the community High School District No. 377 was organized on November 1, 1919. The new high school building, completed in 1922, has had a beneficent effect upon the entire community. Outstanding parent-teacher groups have functioned at Heyworth for many years and the school spirit has been excellent. The Heyworth Community Unit District No. 4, including the Benjamin Funk School and about twelve rural districts, was organized in 1948. $140,000, was voted in 1950 to enlarge and modernize the elementary building. Fairview School (5) No. 14 In the early 1860s, this territory was for the most part included in Dis- trict No. 2. Heyworth District was organized in 1867, taking territory from the east side of Fairview District, then No. 2. Territory was also lost on the north to Bloomingdale, but a strip was gained on the west from Funk's Grove township. Organized as District No. 5, the school unit authorized the build- 96 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS ing of a schoolhousc on the David Davis land on a hill east of the recent lo- cation three miles west of Heyworth. Known as the Davis School, but some- times called Mud Creek School for the little stream to the west, it was moved to the recent site. In 1917 the house was remodeled to comply with the sani- tation law. Of late years it was called Fairview School. The school was well equipped. It joined the Heyworth Unit in 1948. Short Point School (8) No. 15 At a meeting at Reeder School on September 6, 1859, the following were elected school directors: James T. Walton for three years, John Stockdale for two years, S. J. Reeder for one year. On September 10th the directors met and levied a one per cent tax to build a schoolhouse. Agreeable to previous notice, the legal voters met at the old schoolhouse on September 30th to lo- cate the new house. They decided upon the northwest corner acre of the N.E. y^ of Section 8 (21N) on the farm of H. J. Short on the Waynesville Road. On October 10th at the home of James T. Walton, it was decided to build. Contract for the building was awarded to Thomas D. Messick, $66 for the schoolhouse and $15 for seats and desks. December 3, 1859, S. J. Reeder was employed to teach at $25 per month, and on September 3, 1860 was elected a school director for three years. On August 3, 1861, there was no election, because there was no attendance of electors, "consequently John Stockdale will hold his office for the next three years" (from an old district record book). On May 7, 1870 Hattie Fillies was employed at a salary of $16 per month. A new building was erected in 1913; and in 1929 a basement was dug for a furnace, a playroom and for the use of the community club. The district was included in the Heyworth Unit Dis- trict in 1948. Morgan School (1) No. 17 In early days, pupils of this community attended a subscription school in a log house, Shiloh School, northeast of the recent site of Morgan School. In 1856 a frame house was built on the recent site at the southwest corner of the S.E. ^4 of Section 25. Slab seats were placed against the walls and there was a piece of real blackboard in the north end of the room. This school received its name from Joseph Morgan who lived nearby. In the early days Henry Tilman, the teacher, was barred out of Morgan Schoolhouse at Christmas time with long benches barricading the door. Mr. Tilman finally consented to treat the children, so he was admitted to the school room. The last school- house was erected in 1914. Morgan District always had a large enrollment. A building housing the Grange Hall and store located to the east of the SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 97 schoolhouse was burned in the late twenties. Morgan School is a part of the Heyworth Unit as organized in 1948. SHORT POINT SCHOOL, 1928, Louise Hilts, teacher. (Ratio: Twelve to one.) Lytleville School (7) No. 18 In the 1830s a log house, with crude benches and slabs on pegs for seats, was located about two blocks north of the recent Lytleville School. A frame house was erected in the 1840s, just across the road to the north. Lytleville, named for Robert Lytle a Congressman from Ohio, was then a thriving vil- lage with a population of one hundred. Possibly the first water powered saw mill and grist mill in the county were located here. A bustling trading center for dry goods, groceries, and whiskey, it lacked but one vote of the committee to be the county seat of McLean County. (Information given here, acquired from Dave Hartson, born in Lytleville in 1834. Mr. Hartson died July 1922, six weeks after the author's visit.) Because the Illinois Central Rail- road was built to the west, Heyworth began to grow and Lytleville to decline. A Methodist church, at the south end of State Street in Lytleville, built in 1874, was sold to the school district in 1886. This building served as a schoolhouse, with remodeling and standardizing in 1921. It burned January 15, 1931 ; and a new schoolhouse costing about $2,800 was built in the summer of 1931. Though the attendance dwindled as compared to the large enroll- 98 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS ments of former years, it was always a great place for public meetings. Lytle- ville School joined the Heyworth Unit in 1948. LYTLEVILLE'S NEW SCHOOLHOUSE. Jewel Arvin, teacher. Center School (3) No. 19 The first school in this district was conducted in 1840 at the Stewart (brick) home by V. Fell. At one time John Moore, later Lieutenant governor of Illinois, taught the school and tended his wagon shop, one-half mile east on the north side of the present school site. Peter Folsom and his wife also taught there. In the early 18.o0s a small site near the church on Main Street was leased for twenty years. A log house, often called Whig Row School, was erected. Elizabeth Gallager was the first teacher in the summer and Dr. Stewart followed in the winter term. The recent site on the south side of the slanting road in Section 15 was purchased from Jonathan Houser in 1867; and a house was built the same year. Ex-school Commissioner C. P. Merri- man was the first teacher in this building. An extra teacher was also employed to teach the one hundred and seventy-five pupils attending the school. The name of the school was suggested by Dr. Stewart, an early teacher, because the school was the "center" of all knowledge in the neighborhood. In 1916 a modern schoolhouse was erected. Continuing to be the center of worthwhile community activities, this school with its beautiful timber setting and its mo- SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 99 •CENTER SCHOOL" i| «MKi CENTER SCHOOL, District No. 19. U.sing state plans, this house was built in 1916. dern equipment was given the state superior rating in 1939. At one time this was a very large district until Sparta District and the southern part of Eldo- rado District were taken from it. Center School was included in the organi- zation of the Heyworth Unit in 1948. The house is now a residence. Bloomingdale School (12) No. 20 In 1856 a small roughly built house was located at the southwest corner of Section 17. This building was moved one-half mile south and one-fourth mile east to the south side of J. S. Bishop's farm in 1865. Plastered, repaired, and new benches constructed, it was called School No. 12. The recent site forty rods east of the southwest coiner of Section 20 was obtained from Ira Munson for $25 ; and a new house was built by George Stevenson. Double seats were bought in 1886. The beautiful surrounding landscape suggested the name, Bloomingdale. In the first decade of the nineteenth century the schoolhouse was remodeled, but in 1948 this district, too, was included in the Heyworth Unit District. Pleasant Valley School (4) No. 21 A small schoolhouse, with three windows on each side, was built eighty rods east of the southwest corner of Section 5, in 1855. In 1875 a new house was erected, while Mrs. J. J. Myers was the teacher. One hundred soft maples 100 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS were set out the next year and all of them grew. The school was already known as Frog Pond, but the directors said "This is now a pleasant place. We will call it Pleasant Valley". Made standard in 1918, the grounds and equipment of the school were well maintained by interested directors and good community cooperation. This district joined the Heyworth Unit in 1948. Sparta School (10) No. 22 In an early day a log schoolhouse, called the Kimler, was located near the east side of Section 13 on the Kickapoo. The first schoolhouse on the recent site, east of the road in Section 11, was built in 1857. In 1875 it was replaced by a new building. The old house was moved on skids drawn by twelve teams of horses a short distance east and used for a residence. After serving as a dwelling for sometime, the old school was moved to the south of the recent site and used for a barn. The house built in 1875 was burned in the winter of 1914. A partition was put into the old Methodist Church, just north of the school, and the school year was completed there. A larger build- ing with a basement was ready for the fall term. Spelling contests were often held with Macedonia School, so Captain Stringfield said, "Since the Spartans defeated the Macedonians, let's call the school Sparta". This district supported a parents' club for many years. It joined the Heyworth Unit in 1948. DOWNS TOWNSHIP 22N-3E A spur of the Bloomington Moraine extends into the northwest part of the township, resulting in many hills and beautiful scenery. The northeast area is also somewhat rolling. There is a gradual sloping to the south, with deep, black soil that will never wear out. Early settlements were in Diamond Grove along the Kickapoo, which powered the saw mills, furnishing lumber for the building of Bloomington. When the railroad came through in 1870, P. B. Price platted a village, naming it Priceville, but the railroad officials insisted upon calling the station, Downs, for Lawson Downs. By 1875, the post-office and a store located at Delta, a half mile to the northwest, were moved to the new village. The name. Downs, was soon established. Downs provided a long needed trading center and grain market for those living in the north end of the township, though residents of the south part with its bottomless roads endured a real hardship until hard roads were built. Some time after Downs was well established, a store, a blacksmith shop, and post office were located at South Downs, but these have now ceased to exist. Many sturdy and public-spirited citizens have lived in Downs Township. The Honorable John Cusey from there represented McLean County in the state senate. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 101 Downs School - Kickapoo Union Scliool (6) No. 31 When No. 6 was laid out, it consisted of one and one-half sections in Downs Township and about three sections in Old Town Township. In early days a log school was located near the spring one-half mile west of the present village of Downs. In 1857 the site of Spring School was obtained by the directors and a frame house was built to replace the log school. The nearby village of Delta, along the road, consisted of a store, post office, saw mill, and blacksmith shop. The Spring Schoolhouse was later moved to Downs for a residence. In 1869, the Kickapoo Union District was established as a special charter district by the Illinois State Legislature. The new district included about ten sections, the former Spring School District No. 6, and the Savidge District No. 8, just south of town. The Savidge School, named for Asa Savidge, was located at the intersection on the south- west corner, one mile south of town. The building was moved one block west of the grade school in Downs, and it still stands as part of a residence. The special charter named a six-member board of education, consisting of: A. M. Savidge, James Montgomery, J. B. Weaver, P. B. Price, T. B. Savidge, and T. Z. Hall. A two-room building, 28x30 feet, was erected on the present site. An addition for coat rooms, on the east, provided separate entrances for boys and girls. The upper room, intended for the higher grades and some high school subjects, was reached by an inside stairway. The brick grade school was erected in 1895 at a cost of about $5000. This building has four class- rooms and served for both grade and high school until the new Community High School was ready in 1920. Good equipment, indoor toilets, and an ex- cellent deep well have been provided. Three teachers were employed, al- though by 1945 the enrollment had been dwindling for some time. It is now included in the Downs-Ellsworth unit. Downs Community High School No. 388 The Downs Community High School was organized November 1, 1919. The new brick building was completed in 1920. They have maintained a good four-year program, though somewhat handicapped by having a small enrollment. The Downs-Ellsworth Unit District No. 3 was organized March 20, 1948. Adrian School (2, 10, 6,) No. 23 Adrain was organized in 1857 as District No. 2 with school conducted for two years at George Bishop's residence. In 1859 a house was erected one- half mile west of the recent site. This was a small frame building on blocks. It was once blown off the foundations by a tornado. In 1869 the district was 102 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS extended one mile farther east and numbered 10. The house was moved one- half mile south and one-half mile east of the recent site. In 1 870 the territory was cut off to the east; and the district was now No. 6. In 1877 the house was moved to the west side of Section 5, near the center of the district. A new house built in 1895 was remodeled in 1915 and further improved in 1935. Al- though the origin of the name is not known, this school was called Adrain as early as 1860. It joined the Hey worth Unit in 1948. South Downs School (3, 8) No. 24 Territory embracing the recent district was laid out in 1865. Being sparcely settled the territory was unorganized until 1870 when a large part of the district to the east was included, and was known as District No. 8. A frame house was erected on the northeast corner of Section 9 (21N-3E). Textbooks were bought by the district. Voted favorably again in 1888, 1894, and 1896, South Downs was the only school in McLean County furnishing books for over a period of sixty-five years. A driven well with a two-inch casing was put down in 1887 by I. S. Sniff and J. R. Sacry. Very likely this driven well was the first in the county on school grounds. In 1905 the house was moved across the road to the northeast and used as a blacksmith shop A new building was then erected which has been much improved in recent years. Alice Jean Patterson, author and teacher of nature study at Illinois State Normal University, attended this school and taught here three years in the early 1900s. The district was called Center as late as 1902 because it was the center of the township from east and west. It joined the LeRoy Unit in 1948, and was made into a two-room school. Lafferty School (1, 10) No. 25 Laid out in 1865 as District No. 1, but failing to organize and maintain a school, the territory was annexed to Covey District in 1868. When South Downs District was organized in 1870, two and one-half sections were included in that district. In 1882 the four sections which comprised the district until recently were again laid out as Distrfct No. 10. The site at the northwest corner Section 12 (2 IN) was purchased for seventy-five dollars from Hiram Buck; and the same neat frame building which served through the years was erected. It was named for W. S. Lafferty, a landowner and public-spirited citizen, residing just west of the site. Because of many large farms, attend- ance at the school was small. The house was modernized and well equipped. The district merged with the LeRoy unit in 1948. Covey School (9) No. 26 Organized in 1862, this district built the recent small house eighty rods SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 103 west of the southeast corner of Section 26. The site was obtained from Coi nelius Covey, hence it has always been called Covey School. John McConnell was the first teacher. In 1869 the district was extended south to the county line to include ten and one-half sections. Five sections were withdrawn in 1870 when South Downs was organized. In 1882 one and one-half sections were lost to Lafferty District. A small but interesting school was maintained through the years. In 1932, seventy years after its organization, Edward Covey, a great grandson of Cornelius Covey, taught the school. The district petitioned into the LeRoy Unit in 1948. Frog Pond School (3) No. 27 In the midst of ponds, with bull rushes and croaking frogs, a small frame house was erected, following district organization in 1862. Located on the south side of Section 29, this house was used until 1875 when the site was purchased. Doty Brothers of Bloomington then erected the recent building. Samuel Sniff, James H. Simpkins, and James Doyle were directors at that time. The school was crowded to its capacity many times. Because of small attendance the Frog Pond School was closed in 1939 and the few pupils sent to other schools. The district joined the Heyworth Unit in 1948. Macedonia School (5) No. 28 The first house, located in the northwest corner of Section 20 in 1856, was moved one-half mile south to the recent site in the early 1860s. During the Civil War the schoolhouse was the meeting place of the "Knights of the Golden Circle", causing much contention at the time but now belonging to a forgiven past. Many political meetings and lively spelling bees were held at Macedonia School through the years. A new house, erected in 1890, was remodeled and made rather modern in the late twenties. A Baptist Congre- gation was organized and met at the school for some time. The district joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. RuTLEDGE School (4) No. 29 Laid out in 1862, this district was not organized until August 2, 1867, when Thoms B. Null, A. H. Pogue, D. F. Phillips were elected directors. The site on the south side of Section 23 was donated by Charles Rutledge, hence the name. After the farm was purchased by George Bechtel, however, it was called Bechtel School. James R. Covey was the first teacher, beginning Octo- ber 5, 1867 at $45 per month for six months. The cheaply built house, put up in 1867, was replaced in 1874 by the recent building. Rutledge School was kept in good condition and well equipped; and the Rutledge Club com- 104 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS posed of women of the community was very active through the years. This district was divided between the Downs-Ellsworth and LcRoy Units in 1948. Pleasant Hill School (1) No. 30 This section of the prairie was almost completely settled in 1855. When District No. 1 was organized, a neat brick house was located eighty rods west of the southeast corner of Section 11. Replaced in 1885 with the recent building and remodeled in 1911 to meet standard requirements, the school has been well managed and equipped through the years. Further improvements in 1938 made this one of the ideal rural schools in the county. The little white house on the hill with a neat yard suggested the name of Pleasant Hill School. It had been called the Brick School and because it was located on the corner of a farm owned by the Clarke family for some generations many knew it as Clarke School. This district was divided between the Downs-Ells- worth and Leroy Units in 1948. Diamond Grove School (2) No. 32 Pupils living in the west end of the grove attended the Kimler School in Randolph Township in the 1840s. About 1855 the Calhoun School was built on the north side of the creek near a spring about one-half mile west of the later site. Named for William Calhoun, owner of the land, this crude frame building was replaced with the recent house at the new site in 1859. Because the grove was diamond shaped the school became Diamond Grove. The house at the southwest corner of the S.E. 1/4 of Section 7 was remodeled to meet state requirements. Though it was one of the oldest buildings in the county it was kept in excellent condition. The yard had many beautiful trees. The United Brethren held meetings and organized at the Calhoun School before the church was built. This district joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. Hall School (7) No. 33 At the close of the Civil War a two-story building replaced a crudely built house on the recent site two miles east of Downs. The upper story was a hall for community use, thus the name Hall School. The first roughly made benches were used until 1879 when the upper story was removed. Some- times as many as forty pupils attended Hall School. Destroyed by fire in 1905, another schoolhouse was erected in 1906. It has since been modernized. This district joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. EMPIRE TOWNSHIP 22N-4E This township, like the others in the lower tier of townships in this County, is six miles wide and eight miles long, and contains forty-eight sections. For SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 105 some time it was known as LeRoy Township, but another township in the state by that name made it necessary to change it to Empire. Old Town Timber follows the northern border rather closely. Other timber areas flank Salt Creek and its western branches which drain the entire township. Out- side the timbered sections the soil is rich and gently rolling. The main grove was named for John Buckles, the first settler, who came in 1827. LeRoy was platted in 1835, by A. Gridley and Mcrritt Covell, and was named after LeRoy, New York. Abundance of water and excellent timber contributed much to the early settlements. The trail, which later became an important stage route, also meant much to early inhabitants of this section of the county. A log schoolhouse was located in the northern edge of the woods in Section 28 in 1832. In 1836 a log house was built on Reuben Clearwater's land about a mile south of LeRoy. This building was used for both school and church services for many years. There has always been much interest and encourage- ment of religion and education; and no other community in the county can claim more loyalty or devotion to the various enterprises that they have pro- moted, including fairs and homecomings. Leroy Schools (5, 3) No. 40 The first school in LeRoy was taught by James Lincoln, a relative of Abraham, in the summer and fall of 1837 in a room at the northwest corner of Block 4. In 1839 the men of the village built a frame schoolhouse, 24x30 feet, by donations, west of 3 1 1 North Main Street facing north. This build- ing was used until 1850, after which school was held for some time in other buildings. Because of the growing demand for better and more advanced education than was being offered, the Presbyterian Church, located at what is now 412 North Chestnut Street, built in 1854, was called the Seminary. High school subjects were offered there until 1859, when it was taken over by the Public School Board and accommodated both the grade and more ad- vanced students. A two-story, four-room brick school was erected at the present north side site in 1864. Although greatly overcrowded, this with a one-room addition served until 1892. The building, somewhat damaged by fire, was then repaired and the present stone trimmed brick building was added on the south side at a cost of about $11,000. Because of the growing town and more pupils from rural districts, it was again necessary to provide more room. So in 1906 the Eugenf Field was built to house lower grades. Leroy Community High School No. 333 Organized February 15, 1916, LeRoy Community High School included ninety sections — forty-eight in Empire, sixteen in West, two in Arrowsmith, 106 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS six in Dawson, two in Old Town, and sixteen in Downs Township. A bitter battle in the courts ensued, for that was in the days of mud roads when a few miles were a real barrier. School was conducted for two years by the de- facto board of education. Some paid taxes under protest, claiming that a new building would cost $100,000, while promoters of the new district felt they could build for $50,000. The Supreme Court declared the act, organizing this district, illegal in 1918. The court ruled that since a law existed to organize township high schools, this act could not apply when a complete township was involved. The district was thus dissolved, but it took many years for the animosity to die. Since conditions have changed, some are sorry they took action against the district. Empire Township High School No. 344 Following dissolution of LeRoy Community High School District, a township high school was organized in 1919. Members of the first board of education were: Oscar M. Phares, president; Ralph V. Humphrey, secretary; Clyde Dooley, William Fricke, and Burwell Barr, as members. C. E. Joiner was superintendent at that time. A $330,000 building was completed in 1921. They can justly claim one of the excellent high schools of Central Illinois. Four rural districts north of LeRoy formed a consolidation in the 1940s, as well as five districts to the south. On March 13, 1948, all schools in this area, the West Consolidated District, and some territory in Downs Township formed the LeRoy Unit District No. 2. New Enterprise School (6, 12) No. 34 As settlers came to Empire Township, seven sections of District No. 6 found the distance to White Oak School a serious handicap. In 1868, there- fore, four sections to the south were cut off and organized as No. 12. Ihe site at the northwest corner of Section 8 (2 IN) was selected because it was the center of the new district. Facing east, the new school was known as Cornstalk School for many years. The Sunday School conducted there was called "Prairie Union". In 1883 the recent building was erected and named Neiv Enterprise. It was remodeled in recent years to meet state requirements. I'his school joined the LeRoy Unit in 1948. Sterling School (11, 10) No. 35 School was conducted for a time in the Ballard home. In 1856 a frame building was erected on the east side of the recent site, in Section 4 (21N), about three miles south of LeRoy. Donated by R. M. Guy, it was known as Guy School. Fire destroyed this school in 1866. A brick house was then built on the enlarged site from brick made by William Phfitzenmeyer two SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 107 miles north, but the brick building was torn down in 1911 and replaced by a new frame house which later was modernized. For many years the "LeRoy Circuit" conducted Sunday school and meetings at Sterling School. When the present house was built, a former pupil, John A. Sterling was a member of Congress. Proud that he got his start here, the district placed a beautiful sign Sterlinii School above the door. Families of Charles and Samuel Sterling furnished some good teachers, lawyers, and statesmen. William Vance, prominent in county affairs, was a director of the school for more than thirty years. In 1941 an artesian well, the only one on any school grounds in the County, was drilled at the Sterling School. The district joined the LeRoy Unit No. 2 in 1948. Empire School (8, 7) No. 36 In the early 1860s, this district was organized as No. 8. The recent house was built near the center of the district, one-half mile south of a later location. At that time it was known as Hcc.lea School, because it was on the Edward Healea farm. After District No. 7, Mt. Zion, was dissolved in 1868, more than a section of that territory was annexed to Healea District, which was renumbered 7. Moved to the recent site at Empire Station, it was named Empire School. The building was kept in good condition and the school well equipped. The district consolidated with the LeRoy Unit in 1948. BoNNETT School (5) No. 37 Mt. Zion School, built in 1855 in District No. 7, included three sections in Empire and one in West Township. The schoolhouse was located one-half mile west of the township line on the Mt. Olive Road. In 1869 District No. 5 was extended east to include most of No. 7 ; and a building was erected on the recent site on the hard road two miles southeast of LeRoy. Named Birney for Hugh Birney who lived to the east of the school, an enrollment of fifty or sixty was not unusual for this school. (Mt. Zion School was then closed and also Clearwater and two log schools, one west and the other north). Thomas Sterling, later a U. S. Senator from Dakota, taught Birney School at a time when the enrollment was ninety-seven. When Noah Wantling taught there in 1860-1861, the "Salt Creek Congress" was organized, in which Republicans and Democrats were evenly divided. Many hot and lively debates on slavery resulted. Charles Sterling was president of the organization. Long noted for its spelling bees and debate societies, an excellent communi'.y spirit was shown continually by the constant improvement of building and grounds, by good entertainments and by cooperation with the teachers. Since the early 1930s, they have had some interesting homecomings. The 108 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS BONNETT SCHOOL, 1929, Mane Polk, teacher, who instituted Thanksgiving potluck dinners at schools where she taught. first house was burned in 1908; the new house was modern. For a long time it was called Bonnett School for Yontz Bonnett, who owned the timber lot. on which it stood. This school merged with the Leroy Unit in 1948. Hickory School (6, 9) No. 38 Hickory School was located on the hard road, one and one-half miles southwest of LeRoy. The many hickory trees in the yard suggested the name. After 1856 the children of this area attended a log school west of the road near the center of Section 31. This old log school served until 1866, when the White Oak School No. 6 was built south of Salt Creek. The Buckles School No. 9 was then located to the northeast in the Buckles neighborhood. These two schools were united in 1873, to form the Hickory District. Buckles School was moved to the new site and enlarged, while White Oak School was torn down. The modern and well equipped recent building was erected in 1903. The enrollment has been above average. Lyon Karr taught here in 1873, and later became county superintendent of Woodford County. Walter Dill Scott, who became president of Northwestern University, had his rural teaching experience here in 1890 and 1891. This district became a part of the LeRoy Unit in 1948. Fairview School (4) No. 39 Organized in 1863, with Joseph P. Kann, John Gilmore, and Leonard SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 109 Morris as directors, the first school in this district was called Wolf Mound. The small building erected, was moved twenty rods east to a site north of the state road, on the half section line of Section 18, but in 1869 the district was extended north to the township line. In 1873 the school was moved three- fourths mile north to the center of Section 18. A new house was built in 1875 at a cost of $660, with seats and desks costing $115. The site was condemned in 1883, because it was low, so the district voted to move the house to the recent location on the hill in Section 7 and the school then became known as Fairi'iew. A Sunday school organized in 1874 with Wesley Brown as superin- tendent is mentioned as the "Pleasant Valley Sabbath School". It was re- modeled and standardized in 1921, and became a part of the LeRoy Unit in 1948. West Crumbaugh School (8) No. 41 When the settlers began moving onto the prairie, this district was organ- ized as No. 8. A neat frame house facing south was erected on the southeast corner of Section 14 in 1858. The road from the east turned north at this corner instead of passing in front of the school. Thus when a new school was built in 1893, it was built facing east. The new gravel road was extended along the south side of the school in 1937. At one time this was almost en- tirely a Crumbaugh settlement and enrollment of thirteen in the school was all Crumbaughs. The schoolhouse was remodeled in recent years so as to be quite modern. The district consolidated with the LeRoy Unit in 1948. Brittin School ( 1 ) No. 42 In the late 1850s, a frame house was built south of the center of Section 2 facing south where the road turns to the west. Pupils from this section had previously attended a log school about a mile west. In 1860 pupils from West Township attended this school named for Nathan Brittin who furnished the site. In 1919 the schoolhouse was becoming rather dilapidated so that some wished to repair it. Put to a vote, it was decided to build a new modern house in the center of the district, near the southeast corner of Section 2. Though the enrollment was always small, there was good community spirit. The school merged with the LeRoy Unit in 1948. Bishop School (2) No. 43 In the early 1860s a house was built on a site donated by James Bishop in the southwest corner of Section 10 near the creek. An interesting school was conducted there for many years. District No. 10 occupied territory north and extending to the west of the township. In 1869 the west side of No. 10 was annexed by Fairview District. The small remaining district selected a site on 1 10 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS the Gilmorc land and built a house in 1879, but was consolidated with Bishop School No. 2 in 1882. The house was moved one-half mile south to the north- west corner of Section 10. Though for many years called Gilmore School, the name Bishop was chosen to honor the donor of the new site. Quite often the school was called Possum Flat. The house was maintained in fair con- dition. Bishop was included in the organization of the LeRoy Unit in 1948. WEST TOWNSHIP 22N-5E This township is second from the east in the southern tier of townships. It was originally all prairie except about three hundred acres in the north- west corner. The soil is mostly a deep black loam. The north end of the township is rather high, sloping down from the moraine to a flat area, that requires a dredge ditch for drainage. A moderate ridge crosses the south half of the township which recedes to a level tract, drained by the east branch of Salt Creek. There were no white settlers in this township before 1850. The stockaded fort in Section 5 and the old Kickapoo town to the northwest had long been occupied by the Indians, as indicated by the presence of blue grass over a large surrounding area. Organized in 1857 this township was very appro- priately named Kickapoo. However another township in the state had pre- viously selected that designation so McLean county's Kickapoo Township became West in honor of the first supervisor, Henry West. The township school trustees met in December 1857, and divided the township into two school district.s — the northern twenty-four sections became District No. 1, the southern half of the township became District No. 2. That year a few pupils were sent to the Mt. Zion School in the township to the west. The next year West Township was remapped into three districts — the northern third as No. 1, the southern third as No. 2. and the middle district as No. 3. West School was located in District No. 1, about three-fourths mile east of th? recent Love School. The first school opened in the township was District No. 2 at Coleman and Wamsley School close to one-half mile west of Mt. Olive Church. However the district refused to pay the builders, so the house was later sold to District No. 3. Through the influence of Henry West, the school section was not sold. When a petition was filed in 1876 to sell it, Mr. West obtained an appraisal of $29.93 per acre. A five-year lease on the .school section had previously been negotiated, so there were no bidders at the time of the sale. An additional eighty acres in Section 34 were purchased by the trustees later. Income from this land resulted in low school taxes, even though West Township schools always were maintained at a high standard. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 111 Many settlers of the Township were very substantial citizens. The Honor- able Simeon West, who became prominent in public affairs, donated the twenty acres of West Park as a forest preserve for the County and he was also instrumental in having the marker placed at the Kickapoo Fort site. Eight northern districts of this 1 ownship formed a consolidation in 1946. The schoolhouses of Districts No. 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 were moved to the south- west corner of Section 16; those of District No. 48 and 49 were sold and District No. 47 withdrew from the Unit. ROSECRANS SCHOOL, 1912. Amy Claggctt, tcachir. Hamilton School (9) No. 44 Named for John Hamilton, who gave the site from his large farm, the recent schoolhouse, built by Leander Baker in 1871, was located at the south- east corner of Section 6 (21 N). A small building which had served this district for about ten yiars was .sold January 27, 1872 to David Carr for $51 payable in twelve months at ten percent interest. The school house was re- modeled and the grounds much improved in 1917 when it was standardized. An excellent .school was always conducted at Hamilton. Farmer City Unit included the former Hamilton District. ROSENCRAN.S ScHOOL (10) No. 45 Organized in 1864. the schoolhouse erected at the southeast corner of 112 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Section 4 (21N) was replaced by the recent building in 1900. In 1911 the first circulating heater in the township was installed at Rosencrans, putting this school on the standard list. Remodeled in 1917 to comply with the new .sanitation law, an addition was built on the west side for coat rooms and toilets. Named for nearby land owner, O. M. Rosencrans, the district is now a part of the Farmer City Unit. KuMLER School (11) No. 46 Nearly a mile southwest of the recent site beyond the creek west of the road a house was built in 1871, by John Weedman at a cost of $90. This rather small structure was later moved to the center of the district, at the southwest corner of Section 1 (2 IN). Replaced in 1894 by the recent build- ing for which H. E. Judd was the contractor, the old building was sold for $48.75. Named for the Rev. John A. Kumler, who was prominent in this community, the school was made standard in 1912 and remodeled to comply with the Sanitation Law in 1917. The district merged with the Farmer City Unit. KiMLER School (6) No. 47 Organized in 1867, the first schoolhouse was built the next year at the northeast corner of Section 35. Destroyed by fire in 1874, it was replaced at once, with a small house. In 1895 the recent house was erected and the old one sold. In 1916 Kimler School was remodeled and became the first schoolhouse in the township with a basement. Named for W. J. Kimler, an early settler of this community, the site was purchased from Marion L. McClure for $65. Standardized in 1917, the school always was the center of community interests. After joining the West Consolidation in 1946, the resi- dents of the district became dissatisfied and withdrew, and petitioned into Bellflower Consolidated District. Grizzell School (7) No. 48 The first school in West Township was conducted in District No. 2 in 1857. In 1858 the directors refused to pay for the schoolhouse built by Coleman and Wamsley, so the pupils were sent to Mt. Zion School in Empire Township. Another building was erected for District No. 2 in 1861, al- though in 1867 the district was divided into No. 6, 7, and 8. District No. 7 bought the house for $325 and the furniture for $14.50, payable July 1, 1869 at ten per cent interest. In 1874 this house was moved one-half mile east to the recent site at the northwest corner of Section 34 and rebuilt. A new house was built in 1908 and the old building sold for $26. In 1917 the school was SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 113 improved and made standard. The school was named for Henry Grizzell, for many years a landowner and trustee of schools. This district joined the West Consolidation in 1946 and became a part of the LeRoy Unit in 1948. Mt. Olive School (8) No. 49 Property belonging to West Township's first District No. 2 was divided equally in October 1867, among Districts No. 8, 6, and 7. To the new Dis- trict No. 8 William Hammond deeded for a consideration of one dollar the site of one-fourth acre at the Southwest corner of Section 29. A schoolhouse, built in 1868, was destroyed by fire in 1904 and the recent building was erected in 1905. Mt. Olive Methodist Church located on the corner to the north and the school were named for "Grandma" Olive Hammond. Its placement on the Standard list in 1917 and further improvements made in 1924 resulted in a convenient and modern school. Mt. Olive District, a part of West Consolidation in 1946, was included in the LeRoy Unit in 1948. East Crumbaugh School (3, 402) No. 50 When this district was organized in 1861, it consisted of twelve sections and included what later became Districts No. 50, 51, 52. Marcus Craig's upstairs room housed the school in April, 1863. The pupils watched from the upstairs window the swimming ducks and geese and the dancing cranes at the surrounding ponds southwest of Sabina. The next school was a log house located one-half mile west of the recent site at the southeast corner of Section 18. The last school house was built in 1869. J. T. Crumbaugh owned the land on which the school was located, hence the name. After consolidation with the two districts to the east in 1920, the newly elected board was not in favor of discontinuing one-room schools, so the consolidation was voted out. In 1928 the districts were numbered as before. East Crum- baugh joined the West Consolidation in 1946, which lasted until the forma- tion of the LeRoy Unit in 1948. DocKUM School (4, 402) No. 51 In 1872 the recent schoolhouse was built at the northeast corner of Section 21 by I. N. Harding and Company at a cost of $450. Maskel Dockum was a member of the Board of Directors, so it is supposed that services he performed for the school account for its name. The Consolidation voted in 1920 included plans to make Dockum a community center and to erect a suitable building. The project was dropped because of the opposition to this idea which developed. Included in the West Consolidation in 1946, the district became a part of the LeRoy Unit in March, 1948. 114 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Salt Creek School (3, 402) No. 52 Salt Creek, from which the school takes its name, runs to the east of the schoolhouse. In 1869 the present site, one acre at the southwest corner of Section 13, was deeded to the district by Simeon West for one dollar. A clause in the deed states, "The school is not to be used for religious meetings, except on Sundays, and then only in the day time." Josiah Calout was paid SALT CREEK SCHOOL, district No. 52, 1930. Bernadine Wyckoff, teacher. $10.75 to make the seats for the new school which was built in 1870. Im- provements in 1917 made the school standard. In 1920 Districts No. 50, 51, and 52 were consolidated as District No. 402. Though in 1924 the Board of Education improved, modernized, and added equipment, the consolidated dis- trict was voted out in 1928. The three original districts were reorganized then and given their former numbers. This status was maintained until 1946, when this district joined the West Consolidation. At present it is a part of the LeRoy Unit, with which it merged in 1948. White Star School (1) No. 53 In 1867 District No. 1 West Township was divided into Districts No. 1 and 2. The directors of the new District No. 1 obtained the recent site at the southeast corner of N.E. '/4 of Section 3 from George W. Snook. Consequently for many years, it was known as the Snook School. The early house burned in SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 115 1914; and a well equipped house was constructed to comply with new school sanitation requirements. After Mr. Snook was gone, when the school was nicely painted someone suggested the name White Star. The West Consolida- tion included this district in 1946, but in 1948 it became a part of the LeRoy Unit. Love School (1, 2) No. 54 When old District No. 1 was divided, the new No. 2 was allotted the west portion consisting of six sections. In 1869 a schoolhouse was built on the southeast corner of the N.W. ^4 of Section 5. Crude benches on three sides of the room, big desks for books, and seats in front for the smaller pupils com- prised the early school's equipment. The house built in the 1890s was re- modeled and standardized in 1917. The school was named for James Love, who lived across the road to the south. A record shows, "$8.12 paid to James Love for building fires in the schoolhouse last winter", dated 3-20-1872. In 1946 the West Consolidation absorbed Love District, while in 1948 the still larger LeRoy Unit superseded the earlier organization. BELLF LOWER TOWNSHIP 22N-6E Located in the southeast corner of the county, in topographical appear- ance, Bellflower Township is slightly undulating. A moderate ridge from the north forms a divide between Salt Creek to the west and the Sangamon to the east. Because it was open prairie, there were no early settlements. The 'Lone Tree' on the bank of Salt Creek was a landmark for many years. How it survived the prairie fires will always be a mystery. The county road from Bellflower Station to Saybrook through Anchor to Potosi and Fairbury helped in obtaining mail and home supplies. It was the railroad, which came in 1871, that solved the problem of marketing grain and livestock. The farmers made an intensive effort toward drainage, using open ditches and tile drains, and as a result the farms have been unusually productive. Like other townships of the state, gravel roads have relieved the local transportation dif- ficulties. The name, Prairie, was suggested for the town, but Jesse Richards felt that the name of his favorite apple, the Bellflower, should be considered and he won. In 1905 the township high school was organized. The promoters of this project deserve much praise, for it made possible advanced education to many young people. It was an uplifting influence for the entire community. The first Board of Education of the Bellflower Township High School consisted of Taylor Williams, DeWitt Coach jr., W. C. Morgan, Ed. S. Bradbury, and John Marsh. The next year H. C. Struebing joined the Board and served for thirty-three years, with an interest that would be difficult to duplicate. 116 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Bellflower School (4, 5, 58) No. 88 In the late 1860s a small frame schoolhouse was located near the west side of District No. 4 in Section 28. Moved in 1872 to the north side of the present school grounds in the newly established village of Bellflower, this house with another one-room structure placed to the west served an increas- ing number of pupils. In 1882 the purchase of Lots 1, 2, and 3, or the east half of the block, completed the present site. A two-story frame building erected at that time served the district until 1918, when the present beautiful brick building was placed in the center of the block at a cost of $28,000. After the frame house was built, three grade teachers were employed. In 1899 an extra teacher was added; and high school work was offered. Three teachers were needed in the grades until 1917. After the construction of the present building, four teachers were employed and a special teacher was added later for music and art. In 1869 District No. 5 consisted of nine sections of land. After the village of Bellflower was established, there were but four sections until 1917 when District No. 88 was organized from the former District No. 58 and the adjoining territory. This district and the high school have received substan- tial endowments from Marion Flanigon and others. One of the best elemen- tary schools in the county is maintained here. A few years ago the State awarded it a superior rating. The Bellflower Consolidated School was or- ganized in 1947. Bellflower Township High School No. 311 The first township high school in the County was organized at Bellflower. A new building was erected in 1906 at a cost of about $13,000. Beginning with two teachers, the faculty increased to three in 1908 and to four in 1910. Larger enrollments necessitated enlargement of the building in 1916. More courses and additional teachers were also necessary. The old assembly room was divided into classrooms and a shop was provided in the basement which had been a gymnasium. An addition on the north side of the building pro- vided a new assembly hall, a library on the upper floor, and a spacious gym- nasium below. The improvements cost around $15,000. Further improve- ments costing $19,000 were made in 1936, including an excellent stage at the north end of the gym and a modern home economics department. In 1940 the faculty consisted of seven teachers and a student enrollment of close to ninety. The same year two school buses were obtained to provide needed transportation for all students. Affairs of the school have always been con- ducted in a business like way which has added to the school's efficiency and has increased community interest in Bellflower Township High School. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 117 Oliver School (7) No. 55 From the time the boundaries of this district were laid out in 1857, few changes were made. At the close of the Civil War a house was built on the south side of the road across from the recent location, at the southwest corner of the S.E. y^ of Section 5 (2 IN). The site was donated by John C. Oliver from whom the school took its name. The later house was built in 1898. It was the best school in the township because it had a basement. Indoor toilets were installed later. Oliver was made standard and for many years was an excellent school. With a small enrollment the school was closed in 1938 and the few pupils were transported to Bellflower. The Bellflower Consolida- tion included this district in 1947. OsMAN School (6) No. 56 In 1870 a frame building was located on the south side of the road one mile west of the present location. This structure was moved to the recent site in 1885 and remodeled in 1913. The brick building was constructed in 1919 at a cost of $4,000. While the equipment has been good, heavy enroll- ments have made it difficult to have an ideal school. The little village was named for Moses Osman, an official of the railroad. In 1949 the District merged with Bellflower. Caledonl\ School (4) No. 57 This district as laid out in 1866 consisted of eighteen sections with but scattered settlements. A school was located on the south line of Section 28. In 1870 six sections were detached to the south for Osman District and four sections to the west for Bellflower District. A new schoolhouse was then erected on a site in Section 23. In 1919 the house was removed one-half mile east to the recent location at the southwest corner of Section 24 on the Bunney land for which the district paid $25 a year rent. The remodeled house was one of the most modern and well-equipped in the County. The name was suggested by the tune, Caledonia, from the hymn book used in Sunday school in the new schoolhouse. The district consolidated with Bellflower ir 1947. Pleasant Valley School (9) No. 59 Organized in 1872, the district consisted of four sections taken from District No. 5. At that time the recent neat frame building was erected on the northeast corner of Section 31. Some additional territory was added in 1927 when the McDaniel School District was dissolved by the trustees. An interest- ing school was well maintained until about 1 930 when it was closed because it 118 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS CALEDONIA SCHOOL, District No. 57, 1931. Winifred Sinclair, teacher. was better to transport the few pupils to Bellflower. The surroundings sug- gested the name, Pleasant Valley School. They joined the Bellflower Con- solidation in 1947. McDaniel School (8) No. 60 This district was organized in 1871 from territory detached from Dis- tricts No. 2 and 5. The building facting south was erected in the southeast corner of Section 18. When the house was built in 1874, the lumber was hauled from Champaign and the carpenter received $50 for his work. Named the McDaniel School for George McDaniel, it was often called Bradbury School for W. T. Bradbury, who owned the land. Standardized in 1913, the school's enrollment soon became very small. After 1925 school was not main- tained for two years, the district was then dissolved by the school trustees. The discarded building was sold for $170. Center School (3) No. 61 At the close of the Civil War, a small house was built on the site at the southeast corner two miles north of Bellflower. At that time most of the settlements were in the northwestern part of the district of nineteen and three- fourth sections. When the schoolhouse burned in 1900, a new building was erected the same year, which was nicely maintained. From early times the SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 119 school has been a center of neighborhood interest. Of recent years some very large homecomings have been held here. Probably the first school in the Township, it has always been known as Center. It consolidated with Bell- flower in 1947. Prairie Cottage ( 1 ) No. 62 In 1875 when old No. 1 was divided, the schoolhouse was moved three- fourths mile south to the east side of the road, which was then about the center of population in the new district. The cozy little house, painted white, could be seen for some distance on the open prairie, which suggested the name Prairie Cottage School. In 1902 a new building was erected one-half mile farther south on the southeast corner of Section 11. Made standard in 1911, the school was kept in fair condition although enrollments were below average for many years prior to its consolidation with Bellf lower in 1947. Victoria School (6, 1, 10) No. 63 At one time some territory of this district was connected to District No. 6 in Cheney's Grove Township, known as Peg and Awl School. In 1870 Dis- trict No. 1 was organized and a house was built at the southeast corner of Section 2. That school was referred to as Old No. 1. In 1875 part of No. 1 was detached to form No. 10 and a house was erected one-fourth mile south of the northwest corner of the S.W. 1/4 of Section 2, the recent site. Though the house burned March 1927, the term was completed at a nearby residence. A beautiful new building with a basement and new type storm retreat was completed in October. The name was suggested by an admirer of Queen Vic- toria. Victoria School merged with the Bellf lower Consolidation in 1947. Hall School (2) No. 64 A schoolhouse erected in 1864 one-fourth mile east of the southwest corner of Section 5 has served Hall District through the years. The small building was remodeled at times and kept in good condition as were the grounds. Many excellent teachers and pupils, who on many occasions ranked highest in the Township and County, brought honor to Hall School. The school's name honors Moses T. Hall, an early settler on the farm from which the school site was deeded to the district. In 1947 this school became a part of the Bellflower Unit. ALLIN TOWNSHIP 23N-1W Though this township now bears the name of James Allin, the pioneer of Bloomlngton, for some time it was known as Mosquito Grove Township. 120 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS It is the middle township on the western border of the County. The third principal meridian forms the eastern boundary. ITie prairie area is quite level though it slopes slightly to the southwest. Drainage is provided by branches of Sugar Creek. In 1830 Miles Brooks established a home in the timber in the south part of the Township, an area now called Brook's Grove. Some years later a log school was built in that neighborhood. The first school in the Town- ship, however, was held at the home of Mr. Stout at Brown's Grove, until a log schoolhouse was built in that area. At one time the Reddons, leaders of a band of prairie bandits or horse thieves, occupied Mosquito Grove in the northern part of the Township. These unwelcome inhabitants were later chased from the County. Upon completion of the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1867, the village of Stanford was laid out. providing a local market. It was soon evident that the deep black soil did not make good roads at the times when most needed. Gravelled roads have now solved that problem fairly well. AUin Township has possessed many good citizens. Among them are Miles Brooks, Jr. and Homer Caton, who served in the State Legislature. Stanford School (8) No. 68 The village of Stanford, then called Allin, was platted in 1867 when the railroad came through. During the next two years the population increased rapidly and a school district was organized in 1869. Territory was taken mostly from District No. 3, but the new district was numbered 8. School was held in the upper room of a store building until the present site had been obtained. Soon a two-story, two-room brick building was ready. In 1885 a two-room addition was made to the building; and in the spring of 1895 the question of a new building was voted on and carried. Not completed until after January 1, 1896, it was necessary to conduct school in vacant rooms — the primary and intermediate grades in the old town hall, the high school and grammar grades in an upper room of Dossett's store. Three teachers were employed in 1886, while in 1889 Frank L. Horn, then principal organized the high school work which began in 1890. Records of 1905 show that the principal and an assistant took care of high school work, with three teachers handling the grades. Increased enrollment neces- sitated the addition of another grade teacher in 1906. Two additional teachers were employed for high school work in 1914. On April 13, 1946, rural schools of this area were consolidated with the Stanford Grade School. Stanford Community High School No. 350 This school was voted in on January 24, 1920. The new board consisted SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 121 of A. E. Reining, W. C. Rogers, Ben McReynolds, A. H. Springer, and Arthur Witham. The new $150,000 building was erected without delay, the grounds landscaped, a large athletic field provided, and a band stand built to be used for community events. A large garage was constructed by the vocational agricultural students to house their cars. Schools have always been well sup- ported by Stanford community. Brooks Grove School (5) No. 65 In early days this district included six sections in Allin and a large area in the northern part of Mt. Hope Township. A log schoolhouse was then located on the north side of Sugar Creek, one mile south of the recent site, on the northwest corner of the N.E. ^4 of Section 32. A small frame house was built there in 1865. In 1880 a much better building was erected. The school has always been known as Brooks' Grove, for Miles Brooks Sr., the first settler in the grove in 1830. The directors of the district have always shown much interest in the school, keeping it well equipped, modernizing it, and selecting good teachers. The district consolidated with Stanford Grade School in 1946. Swamp Institute School (4) No. 66 This section of the prairie was not settled until after 1860. A small frame school was than located on the south side of Section 26. The school's location, surrounded by low, level fields, suggested in early days the name. Swamp Institute. Around 1890 a much better building was built near the rear of the lot. This house was remodeled to meet standard requirements and was fairly well equipped. Community interest in meetings and school clubs in this dis- trict was excellent. Swamp Institute merged with Stanford in 1946. Brown's Grove School (2) No. 67 This school and the grove to the north were named for the first settler, William Brown. A school had been located a short distance north of the rail- road, on the west side of Section 24 in the early 1860s, but it was replaced by the recent building about 1875. Remodeled and modernized with an addition onto the front, an excellent, well equipped school was always maintained. At one time it was called Bozarth School, because of many Bozarth families in the community. In 1946 Brown's Grove was included in Stanford Consoli- dated School. Center School (9) No. 69 This small district, consisting of about two and one-half sections, was 122 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS organized in 1878 from territory detached from Districts No. 3 and No. 6. It was numbered 9 and later changed to 69. The name, Center, originated from location of this new school at the northwest corner of the N.E. J4 oi Section 1 7 a point midway between the two schools involved in its origin. The enrollment was small most of the time leading to the neglect of both building and premises. In 1932, however, interested directors made improvements. Shortly afterward arguments arose and the school closed. The low valuation and the few pupils caused the pupils to be transported to Stanford. In 1946 Stanford Consolidated School absorbed Center School. Indiana School (3) No. 70 When this district was organized in the early 1860s it included eight sections though not all of the area was settled at that time. A school was located on the northeast corner of Section 16. The Presbyterians held church services there in 1863 while their new church, one-half mile to the south, was being built. Territory was detached from this district when Stanford and Center Schools were organized. Several residents originally from Indiana began calling this school, Indiana, a name which held. The old building was remodeled into a modern school, nicely equipped. Although enrollment was small, patrons hesitated to close the school, but Indiana became a part of the Stanford Consolidate School in 1946. West Warlow School (7) No. 71 When the district was organized in 1860 a neat frame house was built on the recent school grounds on the north side of Section 11. In 1897 this was replaced by a much larger building. Patrons' interest in the school resulted in good teaching, plenty of equipment, and a modern building. Interesting community meetings and homecomings also aroused community pride in West Warlow. The Warlows were early settlers in the vicinity and Richard A. Warlow donated the school site, hence the name. A school in Danvers Town- ship, also named for the family, necessitated calling this the West Warlow School. The district consolidated with Stanford in 1946. Union School (U6) No. 267 Originally laid out with three sections in this county and about the same number in Tazewell County, this district, composed entirely of low prairie land, was last to be settled. About 1866, however, a neat frame school was constructed near the center of the west side of Section 18, but it was replaced by a much larger building in 1894. Many residents of German descent gave rise to the name, Germany, for this school. Later called German Union, SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 123 since 1918 it has been known as Union School. Large homecomings spoke for the value of Union School, well managed by interested directors. Once very large, the enrollment dwindled until it was necessary to close the school and transport the pupils to other districts. The part of this district, which lay in McLean County, petitioned into the Stanford Consolidated District in 1948. DALE TOWNSHIP 23N-1E Long runs of level prairie to the southwest of the township suggested the appropriate name, Dale. This southwest section is drained by several branches of Sugar Creek. Harley's Grove is the only wooded area entirely within the township boundaries. Twin Grove, however, dips into the north side; Brown's Grove comes in for a short distance on the west side; and Blooming Grove follows the creek into the east side over a number of small hills. Settlers came to the south side of Twin Grove as early as 1827, and to Harley's Grove a few years later but the vast prairie areas were not inhabited until around 1855. The establishment of Shirley in 1854 provided a market and trading center which flourished for some time. Mrs. Cordon Weed sug- gested the name, Shirley, for her favorite novel by that name. Another sta- tion, Covell, was located on the Jacksonville Branch of the Chicago Alton Railroad in 1867. Covell was named for Capt. M.L. Covell, a Bloomington attorney. Like other sections of the county with level land and deep rich soil. Dale Township had a real local transportation problem. When the move- ment for better roads started in central Illinois, the citizens provided excel- lent gravel road outlets for every farmstead. From the time of the early settlers, this township has had many worthy citizens, interested in the welfare of the entire community. Shirley Schools (5) No. 73 The Shirley District was organized in 1854 with John Foster, Hiram Quinn, and James Boulware as directors. Cordon Weed provided a frame house for the new district, located about ten rods east of the Vaughan Doug- lass residence facing south in a pasture. It was later moved near the road to a lot south of the Douglass place so as to face north. Mr. Boulware met J. L. Douglass at a Masonic meeting in Bloomington and invited him to teach school in Shirley. Mr. Douglass, a well educated man, had come west without funds and was looking for something to do. Though Douglass was well liked as a teacher, he sent for his wife who finished the term, since he wanted to take up other work in the village. Mr. Douglass helped plan the recent school build- ing which was erected in 1869. The building was larger than was needed at the time because it was hoped that high school work would be added later, but Shirley failed to develop. 124 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Following Mr. Douglass, Joab Brigham taught for many years in the Shirley schools. Records show that Mr. Brigham's sister, Mary B. Weed, was teaching one hundred and three pupils in the little house in 1863. Many of these pupils were Civil War refugees from Kentucky whose parents had joined friends here. CALIFORNIA SCHOOL, 1917. Maudella Welchlen, teacher, and 4-H Club members on the plank. At times Shirley had assistant teachers but more often a lone teacher struggled with heavy enrollments. It was a two-teacher school for several years. In addition to good equipment, a basement and a furnace were pro- vided in 1939. The building burned July 11, 1947, after which the pupils were sent to the Benjamin Funk School. A two-room school was built in 1949. For many years Shirley has had an excellent Masonic Lodge. After the Masonic Hall burned, the Masons met in the upper rooms of the school but about 1930 they bought the Methodist Church one block south of the school and remodeled it for their use. Sugar Creek School (7) No. 72 Sugar Creek District was created in 1868 from territory taken from Stringtown and California Districts. The directors met at the home of Henry Funk, August 3, 1868, and planned to borrow $500 to build a schoolhouse. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 125 The site three miles west of Shirley at the Becker corner was donated by West- ley Hougham. Matilda Bowers was the first teacher at a salary of $30 per month for a three month's term. Because there was no bell at one time, the teacher called the children by waving a cloth, thus giving the name, Shake Rag, to the school. The building was remodeled and a basement was added in 1925 at a cost of $1048.98. California School ( 1 ) No. 74 The first school in Dale Township was built in 1854, and a few years later moved one-half mile north. In 1872 it was moved one-half mile east to the present site, one and a half miles north of Shirley. Sam Evans, who lived near the school, because of his trips to California was known as "California" Evans, hence the school was named California. Sunday school and church meetings were held in the school for many years, with the local Christian con- gregation being organized there. Thomas Nicol, Joab Brigham, and Ephriam Hester were some of the early teachers. Remodeled in 1917 to comply with the sanitation law, the original building had a basement and other improve- ments added in 1919. California has been a very active community in recent years. CovELL School (6) No. 75 In 1857 a house financed by subscription was built on the Rogers land south of the Stringtown Road and became known as Stringtown School. Covell was laid out in 1867 by John L. Routt who later became governor of Colorado. In 1871 the school was moved to the north side of the slough, west of the road south of Covell. Some wished to have the school moved to the town ; others preferred to have it in the center of the district. A. Gridley owned the site and threatened to replevy the house if it were not moved to town. Wesley Rogers and other directors had the schoolhouse moved into the road at night. Mr. Gridley, however, got possession of the building and assisted in moving it to Covell. School was held in Covell for more than a year after which a new building and site were voted. Much litigation ensued — the case was first tried by Clem Read, Justice of the Peace, then by the Circuit Court, and appealed to the Appellate Court. Each time the decision favored the new site three quarters west and one-half mile south of town. The opposition com- plained about the lack of road and the low ground of the site, Judge Reeves granted them a road in 1877. The new house, built and named in honor of Capt. Merritt L. Covell, was remodeled and made standard in 1919. Con- solidated with Stanford in 1946, Covell later voted to withdraw. SiMMON-s School (3) No. 76 After organization of the district in 1856, Joel Simmons sold the district 126 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS the site at the southeast corner of the N.W. J4 of Section 8 for $20. Until this time many pupils from this neighborhood had attended a log school in Dry Grove Township. The earlier frame building was replaced by the recent larger and better building in 1878. Often called Freeman School for Caleb Freeman, a land owner in the early days, yet it continued to be called Simmons School. The school was remodeled and a basement added in 1926, after hav- ing been standardized earlier. Rodney R. Cool, a highly educated young engineer from New York, was the first teacher. Simmons consolidated with Stanford in 1946. Dale School (2) No. 77 The present house was built on a site obtained from Henry Newton, at the northwest corner of the N.E. J/4 of Section 14 soon after the district was organized in 1855. Originally there were two rows of handmade benches and desks about eight feet long. An aisle down the center kept the boys on the west side and the girls on the east side. Rebuilt in the 1890s, the building was again remodeled and modernized in 1932. This school was named for the township. Spaulding School (4) No. 78 After the log house in Twin Grove was burned, settlers living in the east end of the grove built a frame schoolhouse. It was first located in a triangular piece of ground at what is now East Twin Grove Cemetery. This school was moved in 1858 to the northwest corner of the S.E. ^4 of Section 2, where it stood on wooden blocks just west of the late building. The site of one acre was purchased from Franklin Spaulding. A new house erected in 1876 was standardized and improved in 1914. This was the first school in the county to serve hot lunches. Further improvement was made by addition of a base- ment in 1941. Excellent community spirit prevailed through the years. The district joined the Normal Unit by petition. Alice Williams began teaching at Spaulding in 1914 and was yet employed as teacher of the school when the building was destroyed by fire on Sunday night, October 17, 1948. BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP 23N-2E Bloomington Township lies high on the Bloomington moraine with a moderate slope to the southwest where the land is drained by Sugar Creek and the Little Kickapoo. The timbered area, known as Blooming Grove, originally covered about eight sections. Though there are numerous hills in the wooded portions and some on the prairies, for the most part the prairie areas are but slightly rolling with very fertile soil. The first permanent settlement in Mc- SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 127 SPAULDING GARDEN CLUB EXHIBIT, 1917. Alice Williams, teacher. Lean County was made by John Dawson and John Hendrix at Blooming Grove in 1822. Named for the city of Bloomington, the township has been directly associated with Bloomington in the years of its growth and develop- ment. In 1911 the City and the township were completely divorced by organ- izing the Bloomington City Township. This new township included all terri- tory within the city limits. Property in Bloomington could no longer be as- sessed to improve the roads and bridges out in the country. A complete story of this city is told in previous chapters. Grassy Ridge School (8) No. 79 On the site west of the County Farm on the north side of Section 32, donated by John Lindley in 1844, a building known as the Little White School was erected in the late 1840s. It was twenty- two feet square and was furnished with split log benches. This house simply wore out. In 1876 a new house was built by Benjamin Quinn; the house was remodeled in 1917. Though for years this school was called Simmons School for "Old Davy" Simmons, a nearby settler, the name, Grassy Ridge, was suggested by the beautiful view presented from this elevation. 128 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS In 1851 Wilson Lindley gave the land to the southeast, on which was located the Christian Church and the cemetery. Grassy Ridge School received a safe water seal in 1930, the first awarded in McLean County by the Illinois State Department of Health. After the schoolhouse burned September 25, 1940, the Lake schoolhouse (District No. 8) was moved to this site. Eldorado School (U6) No. 80 In 1856 a hewn log weatherboarded house was built on the northeast corner of Section 3. The neat frame house, which replaced the old one in the late 1860s, has served through the years; two floors were worn out through contact with pupil feet, but the building was always kept in excellent condi- tiori. For many years it was known as Frog Pond School. Eldorado School had the distinction of having as teachers: Effie Gault, mother of Gen. Har- bord; Ella Chamberlain (Mrs. I. H. Light), mother-in-law of Major Bowes; Nettie Bills (Mrs. Dement), County Superintendent of Schools; Alta Oren- dorff Downs and Gladys Tracy Lantz, assistant county superintendents. Too, it was the first school officially visited by William B. Brigham. An outstanding community club was maintained in this district. Eldorado District voted to join the Heyworth Unit in 1948. i»!ceJ^' WALKER SCHOOL, 1916. County Superintendent B. C. Moore, Mrs. Moore, Donald, and Helen Reedy, visiting. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 129 Walker School (9) No. 81 The first school held in McLean County was taught in the Dawson cabin located a few rods south of what is now the Hanell residence. Each pupil paid $2.50 for the four months school term, taught by Delilah Mullin. In 1827 a log schoolhouse, the first in the county, was built about one-half mile northwest of the present site. At least two other log houses were built in the 1830s, one east of the Dawson cabin and the other west of it. The school district was organized in 1834 and a half acre lot was obtained from William Walker, whose name the school bears. A small frame house was erected there, three-fourth mile west of the present location. In 1848 a small lot was pur- chased at Thomas Orendorff's sugar camp. There the first brick school in the county was built at a cost of $363.55, paid for by private subscriptions. The remainder of the ten-acre timber tract was bought by the district in 1881. The present beautiful brick building was completed in 1903. Selected in 1913 to be a "model school" for Illinois State Normal University, approved equip- ment was installed, but the plan was abandoned after one year. The spacious grounds and building have been kept in excellent condi- tion. The affiliation with Normal University in 1934 for training of rural teachers under the supervising teacher, Waneta Sedgwick Catey, was a suc- cessful project and continued for ten years. For some time the school was known as Bloomins. Grove because of its location. L.-\S1 DAY Al PRKJE SCHOOL, 1925. Chester Castle, teacher. Price School (10) No. 82 Pupils residing in this district attended the early school in Blooming Grove, but after 1845 the district was divided. A subscription school was held in James Price's front room with William Hodge as teacher. In 1849 a brick school with a low ceiling was erected west of the state road and north of the 130 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS present Lake Erie and Western Railroad. Measuring twenty by twenty-four feet, the new building was furnished with a wood stove in the center of the room with rows of benches on each side. Three painted boards at the west end of the room back of the teacher's table served as a blackboard. Because the school was becoming crowded and a railroad was surveyed nearby, it was de- cided in 1867 to build more nearly in the center of the district. A frame building was constructed at the northeast corner of Section 15 on land donated by George Price. Sunday schools were conducted in the brick building with John English as the first superintendent, and continued in the new house until 1904. Literary societies also played an important part in the early social life of this community. The Mercurian was organized in 1875. In 1887 its work was turned over to the Orange Lit-erary Society. Many from the city of Bloomington attended and took part in literary society programs. Real interest was exhibited in spelling bees of early days, especially in the heated contests with Walker School. During more recent years Price School Parents' Club has functioned well. A beautiful grove of maple and elm trees was obtained by planting small trees secured from nearby timber. Affiliated with Illinois State Normal Uni- versity from 1926 to 1935, with Bessie Hibarger as supervisor. Price School has been one of the progressive rural schools of the county with many excel- lent teachers serving there. Houghton School (4) No. 83 A frame house built one and a quarter miles south of Bloomington on Main Street was known as Lincoln School. Since it stood on the Stephen Houghton farm, it became known as Houghton School. A new brick build- ing, erected in 1896, cost $1,835.85; another room added in 1928 cost $7,000. The Houghton School was on the first list of schools to be made standard in McLean County. 1910. With an added teacher it affiliated with Illinois State Normal University in 1926. Normal withdrew in 1944. Sunny Point School (7) No. 84 The present site, two miles southwest of Bloomington on Route 66, was donated as a Christmas present to the community by George Hinshaw in 1840. Though a log house had served the district since the early 1830s, a substantial frame house was then erected. A brick school house was built in 1867 at a cost of $2,662.62 ($3,000 had been appropriated). When the interior of this build- ing was burned in 1878, the brick walls were utilized in rebuilding. Early en- rollments show from seventy to one hundred pupils. Sunday school and literary societies had meetings here for many years. In 1927 the windows SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 131 SUNNY POINT SCHOOL, 1920. Marie Jones, teacher. were changed so that the pupils faced north and a garage and fuel room were added on the south side in 1939. Known in the early days as the Hinshaw School, it was later called Old No. 7. In 1917 Mrs. Helen Reedy suggested Sunny Point because the point to the north where the sun shone was a favorite playground for the children on cool days. Annual homecomings are held. Alexander School (5) No. 85 The district organized August 12, 1867 and purchased a site one-half mile southwest of Bloomington from B. M. Johnson for $100. The first house, built in 1868, was brick. George Hinshaw, B. M. Johnson, and Anton Stein were the directors, and Joab Brigham was the first teacher. Known as No. 5 for many years, it is now called Alexander School for a family by that name who lived south of the school. When the building was remodeled in 1922. the pupils were faced north instead of west to benefit from the extra windows added on the west side. This change complied with the standardization law of the State. A small room for an extra teacher was added in 1934 to take care of the large enrollments. The house burned November 8, 1934, and a nearby residence was rented in order to continue school. The present two- room brick building, costing $7,000, was ready for school in the fall of 1935. Alexander District voted to join the Normal Unit in 1948 and school was con- tinued there with three teachers, with grades one to six. 132 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS LITTLE BRICK SCHOOL, District No. 86, 1918. Bessie Piatt, teacher. Little Brick School (6, 2) No. 86 This district, consisting of one and three quarter sections was laid out in 1864. At a special election, August 14, 1865, three directors were elected. Miss Sophia Elkins was employed to teach a six-month term at $35 per month. School was opened October 22nd at the home of F. M. Emerson. The present site on Washington Street one mile west of Bloomington was obtained for $103.33 and the brick school was then erected at a cost of less than $2,000. In spite of residents in a narrow strip on the east edge of the district petition- ing into Bloomington, the school enrollment increased rapidly. The census of 1881 showed 135 of school age in the district. There was agitation to build another school near the city limits but an error in the voting caused delay. A building was rented at the east end of the district and Mrs. M. L. Moore was employed as principal with Ida Halde- man ae teacher, while Laura Howe taught at the brick school. In the spring of 1883, upon petition, the trustees divided the district. An area of about one-quarter section was designated as District No. 6 with the remainder of the district as new District No. 2. At a called election in District No. 2, O. Barn- ard, F. B. Molesworth, and Alex Bryant were elected directors. Within a few years most of the new District No. 6 was taken into the city. About thirty years later, what was known as the Sunny Side Addition was attached to Bloomington, again to ease the crowded conditions at Little Brick as No. 2 was called. For some time the school had been known as Emerson SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 133 School. It was later called Washburn for A. Washburn, the florist, and finally Little Brick. The school was made standard in 1912, and in 1917 remodeled and stuccoed. From 1927 to 1941 the school was affiliated with Illinois State Normal University as one of the training schools for rural teachers. Because of an enrollment of more than sixty, another room of frame construction was added in 1942 at a cost of about $3,000. The two teachers could then easily handle all the pupils including the seventh and eighth grade children, who had formerly been transferred to the city schools. The district is deeply in- debted to a few noble, interested women. The Normal Unit absorbed Little Brick School in 1948, however, classes continue there for grades one to six. Maple Grove School (11) No. 89 Organized as District No. 1 1 , school was conducted in a two-room house east of the S. M. Baker brick residence and northwest of the present site on the Foreman land, one and one half miles east of Bloomington on Oakland Avenue. A house built in 1864 was often called the Foreman School, but it has become known as Maple Grove in recent years. Remodeled in 1925, the building was destroyed by fire on February 26, 1935. The new house built by Ed. Weaver of Downs was dedicated October 13, 1935. The school was affiliated with Illinois State Normal University for five years, serving as a training school for rural teachers. The low ground to the west of the school was known as "Baker Flats". After fields were fenced trails over high ground had to be abandoned, this road was often impassable and much dreaded by those who came into Bloom- ington from the east. Maple Grove joined Bloomington District in 1949. OLD TOWN TOWNSHIP 23N-3E The name for this township is derived from the "Old Indian Town" located near the east end of the grove which crosses the southern border of the township. Located on the Bloomington moraine, the terrain is high. The southern part of the township is rough while the northern part is gently rolling prairie except Ireland Grove in a small area north of the center. Early Indian and emigrant trails crossed the township from the east and southeast. Timbered sections were taken up and settled in the 1830s. Among first settlers on the prairie was John R. Benjamin who started Benjaminville in 1854. An interesting settlement of Quakers followed in that community. (See School District No. 104.) The first school was held in a barn owned by Lewis Case, an excellent type of citizen who came to this section in 1833. Held in the summer of 1838 this first school was taught by Miss Callista Stanton at a salary of $1.50 per week. Afterward a log school was built, but church services were held 134 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS at the Case home for more than twelve years before a church was erected. When the Lake Erie and Western Railroad was built, it provided the needed transportation to nearby markets. Kickapoo Creek drains this area; its banks supplied gravel to relieve the struggle with the muddy roads. Hendryx School (1) No. 91 For three months during the summer of 1856 a school was held in Arch Campbell's sheep house until a new house was completed in the fall. Located on the present site, forty rods west of the northeast corner of Section 26, the new school was taught by Charles Wilkerson. Sixty-three pupils were enrolled that winter. A carpenter's bench in the center of the room was used as a teacher's desk and the seats were handmade. Jacob Small and Otis B. Don- nelly later taught there. This house was burned in the 1870s, but the recent house was erected on the same small site. Remodeled in 1918, both the schoolhouse and the equipment were greatly improved. The school was named for Fred Hendryx who lived across to the north. Hendryx District joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948, but the building is yet being used for grades one to seven. Whitcomb School (2) No. 92 Named for Jeremiah Whitcomb, who lived north of the school and served as a trustee for many years, the first school in this district was taught by C. C. Noggle in his home. It was located one mile southwest of the recent site, selected in 1858, near the center of Section 21 on the south side of the road. The house built at that time was replaced by a better building in the 1870s, which was destroyed by fire in the winter of 1933. A new structure with a basement and some modern features was ready for opening of school in the fall. The previous school term had been completed at the town hall. Large enrollments were noted at times and again there were very few pupils for so large a district. Whitcomb District was incorporated into the Downs- Ellsworth Unit in 1948. Sheep Eye School (3) No. 93 In the early 1850s William Bishop built a brick schoolhouse as a private enterprise. The bricks were burned on a nearby farm. When the district was organized in 1854, Mr. Bishop presented the building to the new district. This house was used until 1909 when it was wrecked by a wind storm. The new building was erected a short distance to the west, on the south side of Route 150 in the northwest corner of Section 30. Remodeled and kept up-to- date, Sheep Eye was one of the best equipped rural schools. For many years known as Bishop's School, the name. Sheep Eye, evolved from the fact that SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 135 Uncle Bobby Read raised sheep on his fann nearby. Most of this district was taken into the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. The building has been remod- eled by Dr. Fuller for a clinic. Ireland Grove (4) No. 94 Known as Ireland Grove from the nearby grove where Stephen Ireland was one of the early settlers, this district, organized in 1855, consisted of twelve sections. Since most of the residents lived in or near the grove, a house was built east of the Kickapoo at the south side of Section 9, a location convenient to all. After settlers moved out on the prairie, territory was de- tached in 1867 for Prairie Union District. In the late 1880s the original house was moved to the George Porter farm, and a neat frame school replaced the old one. Remodeled at times, and well equipped to meet all new requirements, this building burned November 22, 1937. However a temporary building was ready for use shortly; and the summer of 1938 saw the completion of the present up-to-date school. Holder School (9) No. 95 The village of Holder was platted in 1871 by Charles W. Holder. Busi- ness men were attracted to the new station on the Lake Erie Railroad because of its grain market facilities. Two churches were moved here from Benjamin- ville, one and a half miles to the north. The distance of some two miles to their district schools was a serious problem to the citizens of the little village, so a petition for a new district was filed in 1893 with the trustees, who denied it. Appealed to County Superintendent J. A. Miller and taken to the Circuit Court, the petitioners finally won. The present building was then erected and for most of the time there have been large enrollments and an interest- ing school. Remodeled to meet standard requirements, it has been well main- tained as a one-room school. Holder District joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. The building is being used for grades one to six. Mount Prospect School (5) No. 96 When District No. 5 was laid out in 1855, it consisted of five and a half sections. A small frame house was built at the center of Section 12 fairly convenient to most of the pupils. As settlements increased to the northwest, however, it was necessary to erect a new house on the newly designated high- way to the west. After Holder district took two and a half sections from this district, the school was moved to the northwest corner of Section 12 on the Bentown road. Destroyed by fire in 1907, a new house was ready for school in the fall. Mt. Prospect has been well maintained and nicely equipped through the years. Sunday school and community meetings were often held there. The origin of the name is a mystery. Fred W. Boston, a teacher in this 136 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS school at one time and for nearly fifty years the township school treasurer, said, "There is no mount near here, nor is there a prospect". The voters ap- proved the merging with the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. Prairie Union School (8) No. 97 PRAIRIE UNION SCHOOL, 1910, Margaret Shannon, teacher. Organized in 1867 from territory detached from District No. 4, the first teacher was Florence V. Elliott. In 1883 the house was moved a few rods east to the newly purchased site at the southwest corner of the S.E. ^ of Section 5. First known as No. 8 it was later referred to as Doner School. After Mr. Doner left the community, the name, Prairie Union, was suggested. The original house was remodeled and improved through the years to meet new requirements, including additional windows, hall and coat rooms, and more recently indoor toilets, library and electric lights. Enrollment has been above average. An excellent cooperative spirit has prevailed among the school directors, the parents, and in the community meetings. George J. Mecherle, founder of the State Farm Mutual Insurance Companies, lived east of the school. His children attended school there and he served some time as a director. The district joined Normal Unit No. 5 in 1949. GiLLUM School No. 260 Gillum station on the Nickel Plate Railroad was named for Mary Gillum Condon, the daughter of John Price. Citizens of the community tried for SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 137 raany years to induce the school board of Downs District No. 31, Kickapoo Union, to build a school in the village of Gillum, because it was difficult for Gillum pupils to attend the Downs School when the roads were at their worst. D. D. Donahue, State Representative, was the attorney representing the group working for the school. Quietly he secured the passage of a bill, approved June 5, 1911, that reduced the corporate limits of District No. 31, Kickapoo Union Special Charter District. Remaining territory was organized into Gil- lum District at once and the present frame house erected. School began that fall. The district became a part of the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. DAWSON TOWNSHIP 23N-4E This township was known as Padua until 1891 when is was decided to name it for their enterprising citizen, Mr. Dawson. Along the south the town- ship is bordered by the "Old Town Timber". Near the center of the town- ship is the highest point in the county which furnishes the watershed for several streams. This gentle, sloping area provides rich, well-drained farm lands. Nearby markets were provided with the completion of the Lake Erie and Western Railroad, and by the establishment of Holder, Padua, and Ells- worth. John Wells Dawson and John Hendryx, the first settlers of McLean County, came to Blooming Grove in 1822. Four years later so many settlers were coming that Mr. Dawson sold his claim and moved to the north side of the trail, about one mile from the east side of the township which today bears his name. There he established a tavern to lodge travelers and to sell grain, meat, and supplies to settlers who were moving westward. On a hill in the edge of the timber, he built a log schoolhousc where the first school in Dawson Township was held and which served for both school and religious meetings for several years. A cemetery was started on the hill. Another log school- house, which was used until 1856, was built to the. north on the trail. When "Old Town Chapel" was located at the corner to the east, the Banks School was built south of the chapel a few rods. Schools had been conducted in the east end of the township for many years but the inhabitants of the west end did not have a school until 1844, when they induced the school trustees to secure a small timber plot along the county road on the east side of Section 32. There a log house was erected which was called Gibbs School for Elias Gibbs, the donor of the land. Used for school and neighborhood meetings, the school was even used as a home by some newcomers to the Grove while their new home was being completed. The Baptists, who later built a church one-half mile west, oiganized there. 138 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS An Old Settlers' Association was organized in July 1885 by a group of citizens assembled at Shinkle's hall in Ellsworth; and for twenty-five years annual meetings and picnics were held at Betzer Park south of Ellsworth. Prominent in organizing the Association were Marcus Banks, William Van Gundy, H. R. Arrowsmith, C. H. Whitaker, and G. W. Bane. A pioneer log cabin was erected. The interest in the picnics was remarkable, the attendance often reaching from five to eight thousand. In the years of its prosperity, many notables addressed the meetings, including Judge Weldon, General McClernard, Hon. T. C. Kerrick, President David Felmley, Gov. Joseph Fifer, Hon. J. H. Rowell, Judge Tipton, the Rev. J. J. Burke, Hon. John A. Sterling, L. H. Kerrick, I. N. Phillips, Dr. Richard Edwards, Dr. A. E. Stewart, Hon. Simeon West, and others. On August 8, 1901 the McLean County Historical Society met with the Old Settlers' Association. On this occasion papers of great historic value were given for many of the early settlers were present and gave personal accounts which have been preserved for future generations. Ellsw^orth School (6) No. 101 In the late 1860 the Garretson School, named for Talbert Garretson, who owned a small farm to the southwest, was located at the northeast corner of Section 23. The house, a small frame building with slab benches and pioneer equipment, was used only a few years. Ellsworth was platted in 1871 one-half mile north and one-half mile west. A few years later school was conducted in a hall over a store in Ellsworth because of the distance to the country school. Garretson School was later sold to Alex Paxton, maker of the Paxton rake, who moved it to the town to use it as a shop. Enrollment in the town school increased rapidly. At one time when one hundred pupils were attending, many brought their own chairs. In 1885 a two-room school was located south of the Christian Church on Lots 4 and 5 in Block 17, but the growing village of Ellsworth demanded a larger school building, so the present site was purchased from John H. Cheney in 1894 for $700. The two-story frame building which was begun without delay has served since then and has been kept in excellent condition, having been remodeled at various times. Records show that in 1903 two years of high school work were offered, while in 1905 a three-year program was instituted. Ellsworth Community High School No. 370 Within a short time after the passage of the 1919 Community High School Act there was a general movement to organize new high school dis- tricts. Ellsworth High School was established by vote on February 14, 1920. At first the upper rooms of the village school were rented for the use of the SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 139 high school. Though the school was well managed, much criticism came from the state inspectors about crowded conditions. After many years of arguments and study of high school needs, the present modern building was erected in 1939. The cost was about $100,000, forty-five percent of which was paid by the U. S. Government through a plan to aid and encourage the building of schools. The new building has meant much to the community. On the board at the time were G. E. Bane, George O'Neall, James Tearney, C. O. Skaggs, and Lylc Stanger. In 1948 the Downs-Ellsworth District was organized. This new district included most of the rural schools in their re- spective high school areas. Evans School (3) No. 98 When the original log school was abandoned in the late 1850s, a new building was constructed at the northeast corner on the east side of Section 31, about one mile northeast of the old school. Used until 1880 when the recent house was constructed, it has always been known as Evans School for William Evans, an early settler of that neighborhood. Well equipped and with its share of entertainments, spelling matches, and political meetings, Evans Dis- trict was divided between the LeRoy and Downs-Ellsworth Units in 1948. Stumptown School (2) No. 99 In 1852 a house built on the Runyan land across from Josiah Horr*s farm was called the Horr School. Adelphia Sloan was the first teacher in this district. The group desiring the school in the center of the district won an election in 1878; and the schoolhouse was moved to the recent site eighty rods west of the northeast corner of Section 33. It has since been known as Stumptown School. A new building erected in 1885 was remodeled to meet requirement of standardization. For many years Stumptown was an interesting village of seventeen houses, but after the Lake Erie and Western Railroad was constructed to the north, several merchants moved to new towns on the railroad. The village of Stumptown then declined and was abandoned. Stumptown district is now a part of the Downs-Ellsworth Unit as of 1948. Lone Oak School (6) No. 100 In 1855 a schoolhouse was erected just south of Old Town Chapel a quarter mile east and one half mile north of the recent site. Later it was decided to move the school to the northeast corner of Section 35, the center of the district. When the house had been moved to the timber, Marcus Banks, the owner of the timber refused to have the trees cut to permit further moving, to there the school remained many years and was called the Banks School. Voters approved a new building in 1901. After much litigation, even in the Supreme Court, the road was opened from the west and a new house 140 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS was completed in 1903. With one hundred and eight trees at the last count, there is apparently no reason to call it Lone Oak School. Though enrollments were good in early years, attendance later decline and interest in the school lagged. It was incorporated into the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. Center School (5) No. 102 HOMECOMING AT STUMPTOWN SCHOOL, September 16, 1934, Ella F. Meiner, teacher, former teachers in foreground. In 1862 a neat frame house, called Young School, was built on a lot donated by Isaac Young. David Wheeler was the first teacher; and later Mr. Young's son, William, taught there. After Mr. Young was gone, the school became Center School because it stood in the center of the district. Members of the Christian Church held Sunday school and meetings here before their church was built in Ellsworth. Center School boasted of many excellent teachers, and also had its share of poor ones. Remodeled in 1917, this is one of the few schools of the County that retained the high platform for the teacher's desk. Though helpful for giving plays, "the stage" if removed would necessitate the lowering of the blackboard. This district joined the Downs- Ellsworth Unit in 1948. White School (4) No. 103 Spencer School, a small frame building on the Jonathan Spencer land, was just south of the recent site at the southeast corner of Section 18. Built in the early 1860s and burned in 1867, Mr. Spencer would not permit the rebuilding of the school at that location. So much feeling was aroused that SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 141 the northern sections organized a new district as No. 10, but they rejoined the original district the same year, 1868. The recent small frame house was erected and named White School for Uncle Jimmie White. George Yost was first teacher at Spencer, with Mary White serving as first teacher at White School. Enrollments were always large. Though an effort was made to move White School to Padua where many of the pupils lived, it failed. An extension was added in 1936 to the north end of the building, providing a library and an excellent stage. Grounds and equipment were well kept up by interested directors, with Frank Spencer and James Tearney worthy of special mention. Interest in community meetings of young and old resulted in some fine drama- tic productions. The Downs-Ellsworth Unit absorbed White School in 1948. Benton School (9) No. 104 This school's name comes from Benjaminville which was often referred to as Bentown. In the early 1860s subscription schools were held in Benjamin- ville where school was held first in part of a store, then at an old Quaker meeting house, and later in Benjamin's tenant house. Finally the school was built on the southeast corner of Section 6 in 1864. For some time the enroll- ment was high and there was much community interest, but with the decline of the village and the establishment of Holder, attendance decreased. The building and grounds were neglected for a time. More recently Bentown School was improved by an addition to the front and the sinking of an ex- cellent well. Much interest was shown at homecomings. The district became a part of the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. Fairtown School (8) No. 105 Named for Fairtown, an early village one-half mile west of the school, the voters of the unorganized District No. 8 met and approved the organiza- tion of a new district. On February 19, 1866, D. O. Stout, F. LaRue, and Gary O'Neal were elected directors, following which an election was held March 19th to vote on a school site and on the right to levy a tax to build. Ten to two favored the tax, and nine to three voted for the locating of the school in the center of the district at the northwest corner of Section 10. The schoolhouse, built by Asher Merwin, cost $400. Harrison M. Ham was the first teacher beginning December 17, 1866 for three months. Myra LaRue then taught a summer term of three months. A new house was erected in 1925, at a cost of $3,000, with John Kitch of Ellsworth as contractor. A wagon shop and store was conducted in Fairtown by Asher Merwin. George W. Wells and Merwin made one of the first riding cultivators at this place. Fairtown School was the only one in the County which boasted a wind- 142 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS mill. A very large and successful homecoming was held in 1934. The school merged with the Downs-Ellsworth District in 1948. FAIRTOWN SCHOOL HOMECOMING, September 30, 1934. Pupils of then and "way back when". * Lone Star School (7) No. 106 In 1863 a small house was built on the southwest corner of Section 1. Jonas Bane, Miss Hamin, and Joab Brigham were the early teachers of this school. In 1875 when the recent building was erected, the enrollment was just forty-five. Mary B. Weed was the first teacher in the new building, where she taught for many terms. The new, white painted house out on the lonely prairie suggested the name of Lone Star School. Though standardized in 1914, the enrollment became rather small. An unusually successful homecoming was held there in 1934 which was a fine testimony of the continuing interest of former teachers and pupils. The district joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. ARROW SMITH TOWNSHIP 23N-5E Named for its first supervisor, Ezekiel Arrowsmith, this township was al- most all prairie for it contained only about one square mile of timber at the east end of Old Town near the Indian Fort and also a small patch of woods, called Smith's Grove, in Section 24. In the early 1830s sons of Jonathan Cheney laid claims to land in the southwest portion because of blue grass SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 143 HOMECOMING AT LONE STAR SCHOOL, 1934 Persons in foreground attended the new school in 1875. growing in that area. A few settlers followed the Cheneys but most of the township was not inhabited until some time later. Some parts of Arrowsmith Township are hilly yet we find some excel- lent farm land. Early stages of the Sangamon River cut through the town- ship from the west and the northeast part is drained by Bray's Creek. The Old Trail comes in from the east, just north of Smith's Grove where Joseph Smith settled in 1844. Down the Trail to the west, not far from the town- ship line, was the postoffice of Senix with a store and a blacksmith shop. When Mr. Smith came to the grove, he noticed some peculiar earthworks and trenches, and found many antique bullets. Historians were notified but par- ticipants in the battle were not identified. In 1926 the writer visited the lo- cation and studied all historic accounts he could obtain. Upon obtaining recently discovered French records and maps, comparisons showed this to be the long sought location of the battle between the Fox Indians and the French in 1730, named by the Indians, Etnataek. Arrowsmith School (5) No. HI Center School was located one-half mile south of the present village of Arrowsmith. A schoolhouse, built in 1862 and burned in 1863, was im- mediately rebuilt with lumber hauled from Bloomington. James F. Payne, Reuben L. Porter, and James Crassen were the first directors. John Merritt 144 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS was the first teacher. After the village was platted and beginning to grow, a one-room school was erected there in 1875 west of the present one. The old house was then moved to town and remodeled for a residence. In 1882 a primary school was held in Mill's Hall on the present site of the bank. Another one-room school with a cupola was built in 1883 on the east line of the school site. These two one-room buildings later gave way to the beau- tiful four- room structure built in 1903 at a cost of $8,000. This building served for both elementary and high school until the present high school was built in 1928. The rural schools of this township consolidated with Arrow- smith Grade School in 1947, as District No. 464. BIRD HOUSE CONTEST AT ARROWSMITH, 1928. Arrovvsmith Community High School No. 380 Organized in 1920 with a comparatively small enrollment, the high school board rented space in the grade school building until 1929 when the new high school was completed at a cost of about $50,000. Serving as super- intendent of the new building was C. K. Watkins. The Board of Education included J. C. Bess; Raymond Weber; L. E. Meiner, Sadie Cundiff, and E. D. Hess. An excellent high school has been maintained in spite of small en- rollments. Brush College School (1) No. 107 In a locust grove across the road to the south of the recent site at the SCHOOLS IN M CLEAN COUNTY 145 southwest corner of Section 29, the first school of this district was opened in 1859 in a log house. A small, bushy grove near the school suggested the name, Brush College. The crude original building had seats against the walls with desks for the older pupils and a row of seats in front without desks for the smaller children. A wood burning stove stood in the center of the room, while the teacher's desk was toward one end. Gordon Lilly*, the famous "Pawnee Bill", taught there from 1877 to 1878. Enrollments were as high as eighty. A new building opened in the fall of 1878 was rebuilt and made stand- ard in 1918. The school was consolidated with Arrowsmith Grade School in 1947. Columbia School (2) No. 108 At the close of the Civil War, a frame house was built on the recent site at the southwest corner of Section 27. Painted brown, sand was showered PL.AN'riNG CL.ASS TREES, 1929, Arrowsmith Coiniiiunity High School, C K. Watkins, Superintendent. ^Gordon Lilly, a seventeen-year old graduate of Bloomington High School, was shock- ing oats for Ezekial .'\rrowsmith during the summer of 1877 when one of the school directors remarked that the school would not be open the coming year because no teacher could be found to handle the "big boys". Mr. Lilly tendered his services as teacher, agreeing to charge nothing if he were not successful in conducting the school. The writer talked with Mr. Lilly when he returned to Bloomington for a visit in 1939 and questioned him concerning this early experience. Mr. Lilly assured him that he received every cent of his salary for teaching the school, thus proving his ability at an early age. 146 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS on the fresh paint to make it more durable, but the house then appeared as though it were covered with gnats. Two rows of handmade double seats were used in the school with an aisle down the center to separate the sexes. Although the name had been Hougham School for two prominent Hougham families in the district, the color now suggested Brown School. A new build- ing erected in 1893 at the time of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago sug- gested the name, Columbia. This school enjoyed a good share of local interest and cooperation. It joined with the Arrowsmith Grade School in 1947. Plainview School (4) No. 110 A log house was located in the early 1850s on the south side of the trail west of the lane on the Jacob Smith farm. Just a few rods to the south was the site of the Arrowsmith battlefield, where the French and Indian allies de- feated the Fox Tribe in a twenty-three day battle in 1730. Replaced by a frame building in 1860, the schoolhouse was moved to the recent site at the southwest corner of Section 13 in 1872. A larger house was built in 1882. Called Smith School for many years, the name, Plainview School, was sug- gested after the new house was erected on a lot surrounded by sixty-six maple trees and overlooking the countryside. A great homecoming was held at Plain- view on the 25th of August 1940. Plainview School was consolidated with Arrowsmith in 1948. Sangamon School (6) No. 112 Probably the first frame building used for school purposes in the town- ship was a small house built at the northwest corner of Section 20. Having been sold to John Marsh in 1882 for $30, the house was used as a cow barn. A much larger schoolhouse replaced it the same year. Sangamon School was the center for singing schools, spelling bees, and Sunday schools. It was re- modeled and standardized in 1920. The headwaters of the Sangamon River flow a few rods to the east, thus the name, Sangamon School. It was consol- idated with Arrowsmith Grade School in 1947. Cornell School (7) No. 113 Originally built in the early 1860s on the north side of the road three- quarters of a mile west of the recent site on the land of Daniel Cornell. This building was moved to the new location in the northeast corner of Section 7. A new house was erected in 1873, which was remodeled enough to be called standard in 1920. It was frequently called Stout School for Ira A. Stout who lived north of the school and who later purchased the forty acres from which the site was taken. An oil burner was installed in 1938. The school merged with the Arrowsmith Consolidated School in 1947. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 147 Bane School (8) No. 114 At the northwest corner of Section 10, the school site was originally owned by Bane Brothers, so it was called Bane School. The last district in the township to build, the schoolhouse had been in use for more than forty years, so it was rather dilapidated. After the directors had it remodeled and made modern, it could hardly be recognized as the same building. Samuel K. McDowell, for many years Superintendent of the Bloomington Schools, taught his first term at Bane in 1888. The district consolidated with the Arrowsmith Grade School in 1947. The building became a corncrib. Greenwood School (9) No. 115 After the Civil War a small frame house, known as Froelich School, was built on the land of Christian Froelich. In 1883 this house was moved away; the recent building was erected on a site across at the southwest corner of Section 1 to which a title was obtained. A small clump of bushes and a single tree growing on the site suggested the name. Greenwood. It joined the Arrow- smith Consolidated School in 1947. A neat residence was made from the old school. CHENEY'S GROVE TOWNSHIP 23N-6E This township bears the name of Jonathan Cheney who settled there in 1825. The large timber area, watered by the Sangamon River and numerous springs, was attractive to early settlers as was the trail road coming over the high rolling prairie. Most of the soil was rather fertile. The first log schoolhouse was built in 1830. The same year Robert Cunningham established a grist mill nearby on the Sangamon River. The early settlers were of the sturdy type, industrious and interested in religion and education. Until 1858 Cheney's Grove Precinct was the voting place for the eastern part of the County. Saybrook has had county fairs and community sales, but the most inter- esting event for that area was the Centennial Celebration on August 26th and 27th in 1925, an event honoring the first settler of the grove, Jonathan Cheney. A log cabin was built for relics of the early days, a memorial was dedicated in the park, and a long parade depicted various epochs of the past century. Former residents of Saybrook community attended from far and near. Saybrook School (5) No. 119 The first school in what is now Saybrook was a log house near the cemetery east of Brooklyn Bridge. Built in 1830, this school was supported by the subscription of two dollars per pupil for that term. In the early 1850s 148 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS a frame house was located about three blocks cast of the log school at the site of the Methodist Church, and called Tuffcy School, the name by which the village was known at that time. Named for a town in Connecticut, Saybrook was platted in 1854. In 1864 the school directors and the Methodists went together to build a com- bined school and church, located in Block 51 now the east part of the park. Consisting of two stories, the upper room was the church auditorium while the lower one was partitioned to serve as class rooms. 1 he school district bought the interest of the church in the early 1870s and remodeled the building making additional classrooms to accomodate increased enrollments. The result was a good frame building, known as Saybrook Academy. A two- year high school course was begun in 1886. The present brick school was erected in 1895 and housed both grade and high schools until 1928. A gym- nasium was built near the west side of the school in 1911 but it has since been removed. Of recent years this has been one of our excellent grade schools. A consolidation of the schools of this Township was voted in March, 1949, and became District No. 484. Saybrook Community High School No. 360 With the district organized in 1920, an election to issue bonds and select a site was held in 1921. The site was chosen but the proposition to issue bonds for building was defeated. Rooms for high school classes were leased at the local grade school building. Increased enrollment caused crowded conditions, not approved by the state in its requirements for high school recognition. Another vote was taken in 1928 and, in spite of bitter opposition, the bond issue and the right to build were carried. On November 12th of the same year the corner stone was laid with services planned by the Masonic Lodge. At the time of building the Board of Education con- sisted of Dr. J. B. Hazel, President; W. O. Butler, Secretary; Robert Coile, Frank Hubert, Guy Van Scoyoc, members. The new school cost about $65,000. Four Corners School (4) No. 116 This district comprised of the south end of Woodland District No. 3 and the west part of the Peg and Awl District was laid out in 1872. The pupils, however, continued to attend the latter school for two or more years until a building was erected near the northwest corner of Section 32. Desig- nated as No. 4, the building at the crossroads in a short time was known as the Four Corners School. In 1923 the rather dilapidated house was remodeled by the construction of a basement with furnace and an entrance addition. Although at times the enrollment has been very small the school was rather SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 149 well equipped. Neighborhood interests and social activities have frequently made this school an interesting center of the community. Ple.-\sant Valley School (6, 7) No. 117 When Union District No. 6 was laid out in 1863, a narrow strip was taken from the south side of Hard Scrabble District No. 4 and a wider area of the same three-mile length was set off from Bellflower Township. A small frame schoolhouse was built on the Bellflower side of the new district. In 1870 the school was moved across into Cheney's Grove Township. The Bell- flower side, long known as District No. 1 . had organized for a school of its own. To make it more convenient for pupils, the house was moved in 1872 to a location in Section 33 on the south side of the trail road. Reorganized as District No. 7 with some new territory to the north and west, the school was known as Peg and Awl from a game which was popular with boys in early days. A few years later a house was built on the recent site on the Old Trail eighty rods northwest of the southeast corner of Section 34. The new location suggested the name, Pleasant Valley School. The building was raised and remodeled in 1923. HOMECOMING \T EXCELSIOR SCHOOL, District No. 118, 1934. Squire A. C. Harper (center), a former teacher. Excelsior School (4, 6) No. 118 In 1872 this district was organized from territory of Hard Scrabble 150 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS District No. 4; and a frame house was then erected two miles east of Say- brook. The log school of District No. 4 was abandoned as was the name. The new school with a promising future adopted the title of Excelsior which suggested higher or loftier ideals. Though remodeled several times, it is old and hard to keep in good condition. Yet Excelsior holds many pleasant memories as shown by the crowds attending its homecomings. Brush College School (8) No. 120 When this district was established in 1872, the Woodland School one mile south was soon abandoned. Erected on the recent site in the woods near the creek at the north edge of the grove in Section 19, the name, Brush College, was quite appropriate for the neat frame building. The house and premises have been carefully tended and good equipment provided by the directors. An addition on the cast side made the school building convenient and modern. Brush College held an interesting place in the social life of the community prior to the consolidation. Hillsdale School (2, 3) No. 121 District No. 2 included the northwest part of the township in 1858 when the first school was opened in that section. Located near the northwest corner of the McMackin farm not far from an excellent spring, it was called McMackin School until an itinerant tailor suggested Dark Corner, because it happened to be rainy and cloudy, when ever he came to that neighborhood. In 1873 the school was moved to the recent site at the northwest corner of Section 8. Looking from the school over the beautiful hills, Amos Means wrote Hillsdale on the blackboard of the new house which was built in 1882 and since then it has been known by that name. In early times literary societies, Sunday schools, spelling bees, and last day exhibitions never to be forgotten made this a most interesting community center. An excellent brass band was organized there. To their last home- coming, a few years ago, W. C. Means, a former pupil and ex-county treas- urer, brought the McLean County Drum and Fife Band, with which he played for many years. An interesting, well equipped school has been main- tained in recent years, but the "good old days at Dark Corner" have always held the spotlight with Bill Means, our County citizen. Corn Valley School (1, 2) No. 122 In 1858 District No. 1 comprised nine sections or the northeast quarter of the township. A neat frame building was located on the northeast corner of Section 15. The many new farm homes along the road suggested the name of Stringtoivn for the school. The house was moved one mile west and one mile north to the recent site in 1873, where the low level fields of growing SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 151 corn yielded the title, Corn Valley. Erected eighty rods north of the south- west corner of Section 10, the late house was modernized and standardized during the period of school improvement, but the attendance became small. In a district early noted for its various community meetings and religious activities, homecomings have brought back descendants of sturdy "good old day" settlers in this section, viz : Coiles, Wills, Butlers, Hunters, and the Means families as well as Colonel A. C. Harper, a pioneer teacher. White Hall School (1) No. 123 The three and one-half sections of this district were a part of the original District No. 1 which was divided by the reorganization of 1872. A well constructed frame house was erected on the east side of Section 11. Painted white as it stood out on the open prairie, it was only natural to call it White Hall, a name which has lingered through the years. In 1923 the school was remodeled to meet state requirements. A ventilating chimney built on the west end, a basement, and a furnace were among other improve- ments. Recently added equipment makes White Hall one of the better schools of the county. Iva McMackin has taught there for the past several years. DAN VERS TOWNSHIP 23N-6E Danvers Township is located in the northwest corner of McLean County. A heavy growth of timber originally covered twenty sections to the north and to the west. The surface is high, slightly rolling and sloping enough for drainage. The prairie land is very fertile. In the northwestern part there is a group of hills of unusual beauty and magnitude. Large timber tracts made this area attractive to early settlers, which accounts for the number who settled here at an early date. The grove was named for Ephraim Stout who came here in 1825. Sturdy settlers, deeply interested in both religion and education, carried on church services and school classwork in many of the early homes. About 1830 the first schoolhouse was built at what is now Stout's Grove Cemetery. It was a typical log house, with a huge fireplace, greased paper windows, and heavy split log benches. Subscription schools met there for many years as did religious groups until they could build a church. This township was the first in the County to sell its school section, which brought $834.80 in 1832. By 1850 the interest in education brought the organization of three districts for the Township. A log school was located near Mitchell School for the west district; a frame house in the town of Concord was used for the middle district; and a log house in the Hickory Ridge District served the east side. The state road, known as the Danville, Bloomington, and Pekin Stage Route, 152 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS DANVERS WAR GARDEN DEMONS! RATION PLOT, 1918. R. J. Williams, Suprrintcndrnt of Schools. and an early trail skirting the grove to the south added much to the con- venience and interests of this section of McLean County. Danvers School (4) No. 128 The town of Concord was platted in 1836. A post office was established there in 1849 but for some reason was named Stout's Grove. In 1861 the post office department, in response to a petition, changed the name to Dan- vers, since Danvers, Massachusetts was the home of Isarel W. Hall an early promoter of the town. The first school was established in 18.')1, when a neat frame schoolhousc was located two blocks east of the present Presbyterian Church (Lot 3, Block 16). A two story frame building with two classrooms was built in 1864 on the site just east of the church. The fast growing town soon found these facilities inadequate, so the frame house was moved away in 1879 and used as a dwelling. A two-story brick building with three finished classrooms replaced the former building. In 1912 the school again became crowded, so the driectors established a primary room in a building now used as the village library. Erected in 1915 at a cost of $30,000, the present beautiful building had seven classrooms, an assembly, an office, a library, and useful rooms in the basement and was both neat and modern. Since the early 1890s a program including high school work has been offered. A three-year high school course was handled by the principal alone SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 153 for many years, but an assistant was employed in 1915. Another high school teacher was added in 1920 and the middle of that year a music teacher was also placed on the faculty. Pupils from outside the high school district rap- idly increased attendance. Though it offered only a three-year course, Danvers High School was rated high by state inspectors. Danvers, too, was the first grade school in McLean County to receive Superior rating. Danvers Community High School No. 330 Danvers Community High School District No. 330 was organized in 1938. At a cost of $50,000 the present building was then enlarged on the south side to include rooms for the required vocational subjects as well as an assembly hall and an office. A Community Unit District composed of Danvers and fourteen rural schools was organized in 1948. f MOSQUITO GROVE SCHOOL, 1935, Myrtle Bode, teacher; and all-male enrollment. Mosquito Gro\e School (1) No. 124 Prior to 1860 this district was much larger than at present. Early subscription schools had been held in the grove to the south. In 1855 a small frame house was located on the east side of the road in Section 32. Crude benches, a wood stove, and greased paper windows, for which glass was later obtained, made up the equipment for the early building. The schoolhouse. erected in 1866, boasted an enrollment of sevently-five in 154 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS 1868, but lately only a few attended. An active community, which in early days always promoted Sunday schools and literary societies, recently supported an excellent Community Club. After complete remodeling, the school was rcdedicated on August 30, 1936. Frank Ayres, a Chicago attorney and former teacher, was speaker for the event. The district was included in the Danvers Community Unit, but petitioned into Stanford Consolidated District in 1948. Named for the grove to the south, the origin of this name is very inter- esting. A number of stock drivers in need of feed for their horses called on Mr. Walters at the Grove. In the course of the conservation, one of them asked, "What do you call this country?" The old man hesitated, then replied "Well, let's name it 'Mosquito Grove' ". The insects had been rather numerous the previous night. It is often called "Skeeter Grove". Dement School (6) No. 125 In 1856 a frame house was placed on the recent site, on the east side of Section 28 with the districts of the township laid out then with but few later changes. A trail from the southwest passed the schoolhouse to join the road which led to the north from Bloomington to Pekin. The original building served until 1871 when the later house was erected. Another house, 12x14 feet and located in the southwest corner of the lot at the same time, was in- tended for four negro children then in the district. A teacher was also employed for the colored school to which two of the children came. The Rev. James A. Chase, a Presbyterian minister in that section of the county, filed a suit against Daniel Stephenson and the other directors, to restrain them from building the small school. The building, however, was completed before an injunction was filed. An amended bill was then filed to prevent the conducting of the school and the paying of the teacher. The directors were upheld by the McLean County Courts, but the Supreme Court reversed the decision. The principal point in the court decision was as follows: "There is now ample room in the recently erected schoolhouse to accommodate all the children of the district". Remodeled in 1930 by adding a basement, indoor toilets, and making other changes, Dement became one of the most convenient rural schools. For some time they enjoyed an excellent community club. The origin of the district's name is unknown. It joined the Danvers Unit in 1948. East Warlow School (5) No. 126 In 1865 a plot of land was obtained on which the recent small frame house was erected in the eastern part of Section 36. At no time was the enrollment large and as a result improvements and equipment were neglected. The grounds were treeless because the School Board did not feel that they had SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 155 the right to plant trees. Later the house was remodeled, nicely equipped, trees set out, and the grounds made attractive. Lack of pupils caused the school to be closed for many years. It consolidated with the Danvers Com- munity Unit in 1948. The school was named for J. B. Warlow, and, to distinguish it from another in Allin Township, this was East Warlow School. Hickory Ridge School (10) No. 127 Around 1850 a log school was erected on the west side of the third prin- cipal meridian, a location about forty rods east and south of the recent site. The small hill covered with shell bark hickory trees, where the school was started, suggested the name Hickory Ridge School. Serving the east side of Danvers Township and the west side of Dry Grove Township for a long time, the log house was supplanted by a frame house. The frame school- house was moved later to the northwest where it stood on the south side of the southernmost street of the platted village of Wilkesborough. Very large early enrollments contrast strikingly with the small number in attend- ance in later years. It became a part of the Danvers Unit in 1948. Stout's Grove School (3) No. 129 About 1856 a house located south of the trail and north of Sugar Creek was called McClure School, named for H. C. McClure, who lived just across the road and kept a tavern. The school was moved three-quarters of a mile west in 1891 to the present site near the west side of Section 15 and was then called Stout's Grove for the settlement and the grove that covered a large part of the township. A new house of concrete block con- struction was opened February 6, 1916. Though as many as sixty pupils were enrolled at one time, in 1920 the school was closed for five months because there were but two pupils in the district. The name of Owl Hollow has also been applied to this school. It consolidated with the Danvers Unit in 1948. Pupils of grades one to six now attend there. Mitchell School (2) No. 130 Soon after early settlements in this community, schools and religious meetings were held in the schoolhouse. Three schoolhouses, including at least one built of logs, have been erected not far from the recent location near the west side of Section 20 on the south side of the trail, now paved Route 164. In 1851 Mitchell District included the west part of the township but the size has been about the same since 1860. Remodeled at times and always well-equipped, the building was blown off its foundation but it was repaired without delay and used again. It has always been known as Mitchell School for E. B. Mitchell, a pioneer and valuable citizen. The district became a part of the Danvers Unit in 1948. 156 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS FiFER School (8) No. I'M About two acres of school grounds include many beautiful forest trees. After 1855 a brick building, facing south, was located toward the east end of the lot at the center of Section 8. Brick and later tile were then made in that community. Methodists held meetings there when school was not in session. A windstorm destroyed the building in 1911; and a new building was then erected at the west end of the lot near the road. Although not completely modern, it was convenient and well-constructed, with very good equipment. Previously known as Brick School, the new building was called Fifcr School because Governor Fifer at one time lived in that neighbor- hood. In 1940 the school was closed and pupils transported to other schools. The district joined the Danvcrs Unit in 1948. Franks School (9) No. 132 In the early 1860s a frame house was located on the recent site eighty rods south of the center of Section 3. About 1882 a new house was erected, which was remodeled later and improved in many ways. Ecjuipment was above average, for which the district is indebted to several interested and progressive directors. Always called Franks School for J. Franks, who lived north of the school, some wished to call it Brush Hook School but that name did not linger. The district was included in the Danvers Unit in 1948. SvvAMF School (7) No. 133 In the early 1860s a school was located about eighty rods east of the recent location. The ground was low, so it is not difficult to see why the name. Swamp School, was applied, though there was no reason for such choice of site unless a trail or road, since closed, ran near there. The recent site, eighty rods south of the northwest corner of Section 12, was selected about 1906. The first "Community Club" in the county was organized at this school in 1914, with a definite, planned program for the year. Rural schools had sponsored spelling bees, lyceums, literary societies, and other similar activities. Although the building was well-maintained, the enroll- ment became small. The school consolidated with the Danvers Unit in 1948. Pleasant Ridge School (4) No. 184 Six sections of land comprised the first district. The first school- house was a log building erected during the 1840s on a hill northeast of the recent site — the highest point in the neighborhood. Trees that surrounded the first log schoolhouse were so large that pegs were driven in them to which horses were tied. The log building was used until 1856 when a frame build- ing was erected south of the hill east of the Williams' residence. This house was moved in 1866 to the recent one-half acre site at the northwest corner of SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 157 the southwest ^4 of Section 29, purchased from Anton Indlekofer for $2. A new building was erected in 1883. Records show: In 1879 a twenty-year old pupil attended the school In 1895 Sadie Hall received $30 per month as a teacher; the highest salary, $175 per month, was paid in 1947 to Fiances Webb. Calvin B. Anthony was the first teacher hired for a full term from September to May, 1903. Prior to that time there had been fall, winter, spring terms. The largest school enrollment on record was forty-three in 1881 while the smallest was eight pupils in 1937 when Miss Forney taught there. Over a period of forty years the average school attendance was twenty-five pupils. Among teachers of this school were Henrv Peter Hall and Victoria Fifer. M.\Y D.\Y .XT PLE.\SANT RIDGE SCHOOL, 1898. Sara Hall (Mrs. Forsyth), teacher. (Photo courtesy of John D. Walter) Located on the most rugged terrain in the County, an area of beautiful scenery, there is no question about the ridge and the school has been pleasant through the years, so it was called Pleasant Ridge. Many large homecomings have been held there. The district merged with the Danvers Unit in 1948. Strubhar School (6) No. 185 In the last district in the Township to be organized, the house was built about 1870 at the southeast corner of Section 28. Valentine Strubhar lived southeast of the school so it was known as Strubhar School. Though the valuation of this district is low. building and equipment have been maintained 158 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS in fair condition. Some excellent teachers serving there made the school an interesting one. A lone oak tree has stood in the yard through the years as a silent reminder of the timber that once covered that section. The school became a part of Danvers Unit District in 1948. Cottage Grove School (5) No. 186 Rather small and of frame construction, the first schoolhouse in this district was built on the Vance Prairie one-half mile west and a quarter .south of the present site. In 1859 a new school was located across the road to the east, but it was moved in 1899 to the present site, giving the old lot to Rock Creek Fair Grounds. Situated on the Ewins land, it was frequently called Ewins School, but timber nearby suggested the name. Cottage Grove. The new modern tile block house with excellent equipment was dedicated April 14, 1926. Small enrollments caused the school to close in recent years. The district joined the Normal Unit in 1948, then withdrew and merged with the Danvers Unit the same year. The building is now used for grades one to six. DRY GROVE TOWNSHIP 24N-1W Dry Grove Township received its name from the grove in the south- western part which stands on high ground with only a few headwater brooks, thus earning the title, Dry Grove. To the southeast another wooded area of almost equal size suggested the name, Twin Grove. These two groves on the south side of the township offered desirable places for early pioneer settlements., Peter McCullough, whose son, William, became prominent in our County, settled there in 1825. Jacob and George Hinshaw, Benjamin Beeler, Ormond Robinson, John Enlow, Eleazer Munsell, Stephen Webb, and many others followed to share the hardships of the early days. The stage route, westward emigration, and travel on the state road brought much activity, especially the "Gold Rush" in 1849. Twin Grove Mill, or King's Mill, on Sugar Creek had blacksmith, wagon and other repair shops, as well as food supplies. Farther west on the north side of the road, McCullough had a tavern. The first school was held in the cabin home of Jacob Hinshaw in Section 29. The first log school in the township was built in the 1830s east of Sugar Creek in Section 33, north of the township line not far from the corner. About 1837 another log school was built on the west edge of Dry Grove in the northeast corner of Section 30, and in the west half of the old cemetery. This house burned in 1845. A log schoolhouse was then built at East Twin Grove Cemetery in 1847. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 159 Twin Grove School (2) No. 134 The first school of Dry Grove Township was held in a log house near the southeast corner of Section 33; and a few years later another log house was located on the first hill to the north on the east side of the creek. Water was obtained from a spring to the southwest. A teacher, disappointed at not being employed, burned the school in 1853. A small frame building replaced it in 1855 on the west side of the cemetery one mile west, but was moved in 1886 to the recent site forty rods to the south. A larger frame building was erected there in 1894, remodeled at times, and kept in good repair through the years. A district, which has had many community interests from the early days to the present, it is distinctive in that several families have lived in this section for three generations. Twin Grove School home- comings have always been well attended. The district joined the Danvers Unit in 1948. MuNSELL School (7) No. 135 A district of ten and one-half sections selected a school site at what is now the East Twin Grove Cemetery, but this district was divided in 1857, giving Munsell District the north six sections while the sections to the south were organized into Spaulding District. Daniel Munsell donated the triangular lot at Twin Grove on which a frame house was built at that time, and was used almost fifty years. The present building was erected in 1906, and later improvements were made, making it more convenient and modern. With enrollments above the average rural school, community interest was very commendable. The district was taken into the Normal Unit in 1948. The building is now used for grades one to six. Belvidrre School (6) No. 136 The first schoolhouse was built in 1858 a quarter mile east of the present Yuton Station near the creek, a location which was then the center of the district. The building, not painted and furnished with crude home- made benches, was then known as the Swamp School. In 1869 a new build- ing was erected near the trail to the northwest just south of the Mt. Zion Church on the east side of the road, a quarter mile north of Yuton. The district voted June 8, 1901, to move the school to the recent site, one-half mile south of Yuton. In 1908 the old school building was replaced by a new build- ing with a basement, which was standardized in 1922. For many years former pupils and teachers have enjoyed annual reunions. The district consolidated with the Normal Unit in 1948. 160 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Center School (9) No. 137 I'hc district organized in 1860 erected a neat frame house eighty rods west of the southeast corner of Section 15. Called Halifax School, this house served for twelve years until it was destroyed by fire in 1872. The recent house was then built and the grounds were enlarged from a half acre to an acre. Rated as one of the good schools because community interest re- .sulted in completion of needed improvements and obtaining good teachers, Center School had many interesting neighborhood gatherings. Their parent- teacher group was of material value to the school. The district was divided between the Danvers and Normal Units in 1948. Dry Grove School (3) No. 138 In 1^46 the present site on Lot 1 of the northwest 54 of Section 29 was donated by Peter McCullough for a school to serve all children of Dry Grove community. The house, 18x20 feet, was built of rough sawed walnut and the commonly used benches faced the wall. Named for the grove in which it was located, the present district was laid out in 1862. The next year a neat frame house, larger and better equipped with handmade benches and desks, replaced the former school. Records show that the con- struction contract for the schoolhouse was let to William Martene for $180. With better equipment added as the times demanded, this building was used for forty-seven years until the present house was built in 1910 to meet the standard requirements of the time. Because the community has held many of the original families, local interest and cooperation has made Dry Grove School one of the best, as evidenced by meetings and clubs which have been of value to the entire district. In 1938 $2000 in bonds was voted for a base- ment, indoor toilets, and other modern improvements. The school joined the Danvers Unit in 1948. The building is being used for grades one to six. Grant School (4) No. 139 In 1855 a small frame building was erected on the prairie, one-half mile west and one-quarter mile south of the recent site west of the southeast corner of Section 8. Since it was located on George Swallow's land, the school, with its crude benches, blackboard, and large vood stove, was known as the Swallow School. An early teacher spent most of the time with singing and penmanship. In 1868 the school became crowded so it was voted to build a larger house at the recent location. The new school was named in honor of President Grant. A cooperative community with many activities resulted in well equipped schools through the years. The house was kept SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 161 modern, including a basement and other improvements added in 1934. In 1948 the district became a part of the Danvers Unit District, using the building for grades one to six. ^ SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBR.\TION .\T GR.\NT SCHOOL, December, 1917. Pupils of the first school in the foreground. Crescent School (12) No. 140 Organized in 1893, Carlock Grade School District included territory of both Chapel and Bunker Hill Districts in White Oak Township, thus forcing them to be abandoned. Three sections — Chapel District's Section 6, Bunker Hill's Sections 4 and 5— in this township made up the new District No. 12, for which a house was built at the southeast corner of the northwest J4 of Section 5. Nothing about the school or the district show any reason for the name. Crescent, though it was sometimes called Engle School for Jacob Engle who owned the land on which it stood. Here was the only rural school in the county located in a pasture where the livestock roamed at will and mowed the yard. Crescent was well equipped and interesting, although at times the enrollment was very small. The district joined the Normal Unit in 1948. Diamond School (8) No. 141 In the early 1860s this district consisted of nearly five and one-half sections. Located in the northeast corner of Section 10, the school was then 162 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS convenient for most of the pupils but was far from the center of the district. In 1894 three and a half sections were detached to organize the Garfield School District. The original school, however, continued to function as a a school in spite of having only a section and a half of territory. Disbanded in 1896 after a bitter struggle to hold on, the house was sold and remodeled as a tenant residence. For fifty years this was the only rural schoolhousc in the county to remain on the original site when no longer owned by the district. No longer a "Diamond" on the prairie, it is now only a silent reminder of happy days to many who attended there. GARFIELD SCHOOL, 1925, at the close of a pleasant day. Myra Kohler. teacher. Garfield School (U) No. 142 Organized in 1894 from the east four sections detached from Diamond District No. 8, the present brick building was then erected at the southwest corner of Section 1, and two years later the remainder of District No. 8 was attached. The school has been well equipped and remodeled in recent years, making it modern and very convenient. As was true at many other schools, it was necessary to go down very deeply for water, but the pumping was too hard for small children so the problem was solved by installing an electric motor driven pump. A spirit of cooperation, locally and in county- wide activities, has always been shown by the Garfield Club. Not only the SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 163 women of the district belong but past teachers &nd former residents have helped to make this one of the best organizations of its kind in the state. The school was named for the late President James A. Garfield. The Normal Unit District included this district in 1948. NORMAL TOWNSHIP 24N-2E Located just north of Bloomington, Normal Township has a slight ridge crossing the center of the township and forming a divide for the small streams. Waters which flow north drain into Six Mile Creek and those flowing toward the south drain into the basin of Sugar Creek. There are some medium hills in the south, the center, and the west, on which the soil is mostly brown silt loam. In the northeast and southeast areas the surface is rather flat with much black clay loam. The only timbered area was Major's Grove near the southern border. Few settlers went out on the prairie until after 1850 although much of the land had been entered earlier for speculation. Establishment of the village of North Bloomington in 1854 at the junction of the new railroads — Illinois Central and Chicago and Alton — provided a local market and marked the beginning of the town of Normal. Nurseries that had been started in this area were soon furnishing trees to all central Illinois. Many trees were planted in Normal and Bloomington. giving Bloomington the title, "Evergreen City." Illinois State Normal University was established in 1857 and the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home was dedicated in 1869. Both had much to do with the growth of the town of Normal which was incorpor- ated in September of 1865. In 1867 the General ssembly granted a special charter to the town of Normal and a school district to include a territory two miles square. Normal Public Schools (2) No. 144 The first public school of Normal was held in 1856 in a small frame build- ing owned by Jesse Fell. When the public school was abandoned in I860, children attended the Model School of the University. Forseeing that the district must soon make provision for the education of the increasing number of pupils within the limits, an (lection was held in 1865, by which it wa.ll School, but the entire township was diviiled into school districts two miles s(iuare in 18r)8. Interest in religion was manifested by the Sunday schools and preaching services held in the .school buildings; and soon churches of various denomina- tions appeared. In 1861 the Union Methodist Church was built near the southwest corner of Section .^), while the Blue Mound Christian Church was erected in 18fi8 and the Freewill Baptist Church to the south of Fl("tcher School. In 1872 Grand View Presbyterian Church was located across from the school by that name. The building was moved to C'ooksville in 1884 and remodeled. It is now being used, although the other church buildings have been torn down or sold. Debating societies, spelling bees, writing classes, and political meetings provid("d a variety of social interests in these conununilies, and a grange organization also flourished for many years. This area is comparatively level and drained to the north and northwest by branches of the Mackinaw. Settlers on thi- north and west sections reccivtrd >( •//()()/> n M.IFA.\ Ci)i.\i\ 175 mail from Lexington oi low.iuii.i .ilnnit oiuc c.u h Nvcck thioui;h iui>;hhiMs who \isitrd the [H'>sti>ttiic at those i>l.U(s. 1 hose Iinui'.; in the sv>uth(in .iiul c.ist fill sections got their mail tioni I uile johniuc- 1 Roman's where it was ile Hvi'i-ed Iroin Hoar's Post C^tliee o\\ the (.>K1 Stas'e Route. In the late 1860s NN'illiani Roekwell estahlisheil a stiMT aiM\'>ss the vom\ and \V("St ol the Bine Mouuil Sehool, lalei >\ 1, Sa[>[> Inuii-hl aiul eiilaii'eil the huiKling. A wagon shop was loiafeil neai the noitheasl eoiiiei oi this inteiseetii>n, hut hopes oi establishing a lurmanent \ lUaj'e tiere \anisheil when in the earh \l\S(h the store was mined io l'llswi>rth. The tine hrass hand whieh this ec>mmunit\ supported was reoii'am.-ed as the l\H>lvS\dle Band. Bi>a/, a store and |>ostottit-e opened In Ste\e I >ow ne\ u> iS/'>, \\ as located at his house on the northeast iimuc r ol Seetii>n 1/ It was destro\ed by fire in UuSl.'. I'he braneh line ol the Illinois Clential Uadioad was i om pleted in 1882, bringing with it Cook.svillt\ soon ti> beeome a lhii\ing village. Fletcher, consisting ol a stoic, post oltiee, ai\il jMain market, also sprang up around this time. The teitile I. nut i>l Blue Mound l\>wnshii) w.is soon well drained and mueh improNcil b\ oieli.iids, grovts, .md '.\i.H>i\ buiKliU'-.s ('.ooK.s\n 1 !■ Siaiooi (\0] No. It>7 I'roni the beginning ot C'ooks\ille, the dist.iiuc and the olleu imp.issable roads to the Saint Niiholas Sehool, whieh the bo\s anti gills atteiuled, eanseil much controN'crsv. Alter ell«>its were made to inoxe the house to ('ot>ks- ville or to organize a new distiiil, the trustees '.'lanteil in the sprine, ol 1892 a petititMi to oigani/.e the i\ew District No. 10, consisting ol «>ne section, i' - eluding the village. School was liist held o\ti' a stt>re and I'"dwartl Mi()nibei was the first teachei\ howe\ei, a two-room s( hoolhouse was ere* te»l m IH!l!> on the present site. In 1903 (Maud \'iew and about one hall ol the S.iiul Nicholas District consolidated with the (looksxille District. rhen .m un- usually long siege of batl lo.uls eauseil so iiuu h dis.satistaction th.il most ol the teiritoiv was withdrawn the next year. During the wintei ol 19'.!'.! 'J'> the the house buineil, but the sehool contiiuied in the !'i'esl)vteiian .uul Chiislian C'hurches. The town of (^ooksville was named for V. W Koch, owner ol the land on which the \illage was laid out wh( n the Illinois C'.enlial Railroad came through. Cooksville Sehool merged with the Colfax I 'nil Dislrit I in I'MH. The building is now used as a grade- school. CooKsvii.i.i'. (^oMMONrrv llicii Sciiotn. No. !v|0 Krom 1897 to 1920 the Village Distrii t No. 1(>7 inaint. lined a two-year high school program. Clommimily lliidi Sehool District No !M() was oigan- ized in 1920, and lour-year couises ha\f been olleicd siiu c- then When the 176 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS school building was burned in 1923, the local district was unable to rebuild a suitable structure to house both the grades and the high school, so the high school district took over the building program. It has since rented two lower rooms to the Cooksville Grade School District. When the need for a gymnasium arose, the high school board purchased a hall uptown and utilized it for that purpose. Community interest sponsored an excellent school through the years. Lincoln School (9) No. 159 Formerly a part of District No. 4, District No. 9 was organized in 1867. The recent house, named for President Lincoln, was built on the southwest corner of Section 29, and standardized in 1914 with good equipment. Lyceums and Sunday schools were conducted in the building for many years. The dis- trict voted to become a part of the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. ^^^x^^^. L.\ST D./W OF SCHOOL AT LINCOLN, District No. 159, 1933. Lucilc Wissmillcr, teacher. Diamond School (8) No. 160 District No. 8 was organized in 1871 of two east sections from Blue Mound District and the two west sections from Lincoln District. A house, erected at that time at the southeast corner of Section 28, served the com- munity until 1885 when it burned. Pupils attended adjoining schools for the remainder of the year. A new building, which was standardized in 1911, SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 177 was ready for the opening of school the next fall. A local unit of the Grange was organized here in the early 1870s and flourished for many years. The bright new house of 1871 standing on the prairie suggested the name. Diamond School. The district joined the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. Blue Mound School (7) No. 161 In this district named for the township, N. H. Wilson received $38 in 1858 for teaching in a residence. In 1860 a house was built at the northwest corner of the N. E. ^4 of Section 35 at a cost of $118.07, while the recent house was erected in the early 1870s. For many years the school with the church, the wagon shop, and the store was an interesting community center. The store was moved to Ellsworth; the "brass band" was reorganized in Cooksville; the church and other buildings were torn down. The school was remodeled but the community was never able to stage a "comeback." District No. 7 was consolidated with the Downs-Ellsworth Unit in 1948. St. Nicholas School (6) No. 162 After the district was organized in 1870, the recent house was built by William Hempstreet, who also made the long benches and desks. School opened on October 6th with thirty-five pupils and Lizzie Brigham as the teacher. The site donated by John Nichols accounts for the name of St. Nicholas, by which the school is known. A stipulation in the deed states, "the lot must be kept fenced . . .". The four sections, No. 13, 14, 23, and 24, had been a part of Blue Mound School District and the pupils had previously attended there. Two county superintendents, Willard King of Marshall County and William Brigham of McLean County taught at the "Old St. Nicholas" School. Center School (5) No. 163 On May 27, 1863 at a special school meeting at Mr. Hemstreet's black- smith shop, Jesse Lupton, William Hemstrect, and Achelis Durling were elected directors of the new school district. A small building, constructed from raw lumber in the southeast corner of Section 16, served the district until 1871, when a neat frame house was erected across to the southeast. Many literary entertainments, hotly contested elections, and enthusiastic polit- ical rallies were held in the schoolhouse, for it was the real renter of the community. Later these activities were taken to Cooksville. In 1884 the house was blown from its foundation, but it was soon repaired. The building was torn down and rebuilt in 1920; remodeled and a basement added in 1924. Center School became a part of the Colfax Unit District in 1948. 178 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Fletcher School (4) No. 164 After the organization of this district in 1861, Mary Augustus taught two six-months terms through the warm weather in a vacant house a half mile south of the recent school. In 1863 Mrs. James Scott taught in her home at a salary of $20 per month for six months. Clara Barton was the first teacher in the new building, a small frame house with hand-made fur- niture built in 1864 at the southeast corner of Section 18. In 1877 a larger building was constructed by Oliver Tilbury, using brick for the foundation. In dry weather water had to be carried from a spring to the east. For many years the school was called Pleasant View because the site was high affording a fine view of the new homes springing up on all sides. A church across the road also bore the same name. In 1884 when the Fletcher post office was established, the name was changed to Fletcher, for John Fletcher. Nearby schools always enjoyed calling the school Cocklebur. REDEDICATION OF FLETCHER SCHOOL, 1929. Bonnie Sutter, teacher. Standardized in 1917 and remodeled with basement and indoor toilets in 1929, the school was rededicated on October 20, 1929. Many young peo- ple from this district entered the teaching profession. Prominent among them was Walter Dill Scott, the president of Northwestern University from 1920 to 1939, who with his brother, John, attended the homecoming in 1935. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 179 A Sunday school was organized at this school and taught by H. G. Thompson, who later was the superintendent for nine years. The school joined the Col- fax Unit District in 1948. Union School (3) No. 165 In 1858 when the township was laid out in districts each two miles square, this district was made up of two sections from District No. 2 to the east and two unorganized sections on the west. For that reason it was called Unon School. In 1859 a small house was erected on the southeast corner of Section 6, but the recent schoolhouse was built in 1867. The building was remodeled, kept in good repair, and was well equipped. Through the years there were spelling bees and literary societies and also large school enrollments. Church services and Sunday schools were held there before the Union Church was built one mile east. This district became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. HOPEWELL, District iNo. Ibb. Here the author hrst taught in 18y4. Later the building was modernized and better teachers employed. A similar scene inspired Whittier to write his immortal "School Days" — "Still sits the schoolhouse by the road, A ragged beggar sunning; Around it still the sumacs grow. And blackberry vines are running." 180 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Hopewell School (2) No. 166 An early settler from Kentucky, Gideon King, permitted building on his land and the King School was built in 1857 on the southwest corner of Sec- tion 3. This roughly constructed school built by Noah Linthicum cost $173.05 $130.05 for materials and $43 for labor. After it was moved away in 1877, the present house with more modern furniture replaced it and was then called Hopewell for the first time. Becoming rather dilapidated, it was improved and standardized in 1913. Some years later the front was rebuilt and indoor toilets were installed, which made it one of the best equipped schools in the township. When a young man told John A. Miller, then County Superin- tendent of Schools, that he was to teach at Hopewell, the response was "I hope it will be well," and possibly someone was thinking along the same line when the school was named. Hopewell School merged with the Colfax Unit in 1948. Grand View School (1) No. 168 A frame building, boarded up and down, was erected at the northeast comer of Section 11 in 1857. The cost of the lumber was $87.30 and Hesekiah Homey was paid $27.30 for the labor on the house and the furni- ture, consisting of slab seats with pegs. Later the building was weather boarded. The present house, east of the old one, was built in 1870 on the William Golden land. The Presbyterian Church which was later moved to Cooksville stood across the road to the north. Several persons living near the school had come from Grand View, Ohio, so the church and school were called Grand View. The district was consolidated with Cooksville in 1905, but impassable roads and no transportation created sentiment for its resto- ration as a district. In 1909 is was again made a separate district. A base- ment and furnace were added in 1938, but the house burned December 3, 1942 and was not rebuilt. It has sometimes been called the Weber School. Grand View School joined Colfax Unit district in 1948. MARTIN TOWNSHIP 24N-5E Martin Township located next to the cast in the middle tier of townships in the county was named for Dr. Eleazer Martin, an early land owner. The Mackinaw River runs across the north row of sections and three-fourths of that area was originally covered by timber, while the remainder of the township was prairie. There are a few small hills, otherwise, the surface is just gently rolling. Bray's Creek and smaller branches of the Mackinaw drain the southern area. The rich, black soil was productive but the distance to market was a real handicap to early settlers. For some time a trail road running diagonally SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 181 across the township from Saybrook and continuing on to Lexington was the only outlet. In 1880 the Illinois Central Railroad was extended from the northeast to the present site of Colfax. The village of Colfax platted at that time soon grew rapidly — a coal mine was established, business houses were opened, and patrons were attracted from all directions. The town has con- tinued to have many interesting and progressive citizens who have been of real value to that section of the County. Colfax School (1) No. 177 After territory for this district was detached from Wiley District in 1867, a site was selected on the banks of the Mackinaw in the edge of the timber and a neat frame building was erected. It was called Williams School for J. R. Williams who lived across the road and north of the school. A strip of land one-half mile wide, detached from the east side of Williams District and added to Anchor District, was restored in 1898 after much controversy. In 1881 the Williams School was moved to the new village of Colfax three-quarters of a mile northwest on a lot west of the Methodist Church. A four-room house costing $4000 was built in 1883 on the present site, and in a few years an addition of two rooms was added. With the attainment of a population of 1000 sufficient to require a school board in 1894, the district was reorganized. An addition of two more rooms was made in 1899. After the building burned October 18, 1900, a new twelve-room school, costing $20,000, was ready in November of 1901. Unfortunately, on January 26, 1903 this building also burned. Even with the heavy debt a new house was erected, using the same site and plans. Also some of the walls and the foun- dation were utilized in the new building which was ready for occupancy the same year. This structure has served for both the grades and the high school through the years. A gymnasium costing $13,800 built in 1928 by the Com- munity High School District burned December 6* 1948. Colfax, Cooksville, and Anchor, with about thirty rural schools voted to organize Community District No. 8 on October 9, 1948. Colfax Community High School No. 330 Colfax has had a good four-year high school program for many years. After District No. 330 was organized in 1920, the High School Board rented the upper floors and part of the basement of the Colfax Grade School for classes. The gymnasium was shared with the grade school pupils. The or- ganization of the new unit district with Colfax as the logical center and the burning of the gymnasium lead to a building program. Bonds and a $700,- 000 building were approved at an election on December 1, 1950. 182 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Centennial School (7) No. 169 District No. 3 was laid out in 1858 in the southwest corner of Martin Township. For two years the few children in the district were taught by Mrs. James Heagler in her home. A house, built in 1860 south of the northeast corner of Section 29, was known as the Nickerson School for A. R. Nickerson, who had large holdings of land nearby. In the spring of 1876 the four sections recently comprising this district were cut off from No. 3 and a house was built at the northeast corner of Section 31. The lumber was hauled from Arrowsmith and the furniture and blackboards came from A. H. Andrews Company, Chicago. This was the centennial year, so the school was named Centennial. The building was always well kept and in recent years it was modernized. The district became a part of Colfax Unit District in 1948. RiTTER School (8) No. 170 Pupils of the two west sections of this district had attended Nickerson School, while the two east sections belonged to Martin Valley or No. 4, which was organized in the early 1860s. A roughly built schoolhouse located in the southeast corner of Section 27 served No. 4 for a number of years. Then the old house was moved to the Ritter farm for a stock shed and a neat frame house was built. When the district was divided and No. 8 organized in 1881, the frame house was moved to the recent location at the northwest corner of Section 34, a site obtained from the J. W. Ritter estate. The building which has always been called Ritter School was repaired and partially remodeled. Ritter School joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. Springer School (7) No. 171 When Martin Valley, No. 4, was divided in 1881, District No. 7 was organized from the eastern part. The one-acre site at the northwest corner of Section 36 was donated by Christian W. (Bill) Springer who was very active in circulating the petition for the new district, so the school has always been called Springer School. A public library was established here in 1881 which was one of the first in a rural school in McLean County. In 1902 a tornado almost wrecked the schoolhouse. Cloak rooms were added in 1915 and the school was standardized. In 1921 a kitchen was built on the east side and in 1926 the doors were changed to swing outward. The school merged with the Colfax Unit in 1948. McClure School (6) No. 172 District No. 5 consisting of eight and one-half sections was laid out in 1866. The district was soon organized and a house built on the southeast corner of Section 15 on land owned by Nathan Hawk, for whom the school SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 183 was named. In 1882 petitions were circulated which divided District No. .t into two districts of four sections, each in order to reduce the distance for the pupils. This district comprising the east half of the former district was organized as No. 6 and the house was sold to the district organized to the west. The site at the southwest corner of Section 13 was purchased from Robert McClure for $30 and a new house costing a little more than $1000 was ready for use on October 10, 1882. This new school was first named Tipperary School No. 6, but later it was changed to McClure School. The building was remodeled and made standard in 1923. In 1882 the school had an enrollment of forty-four pupils, only three in 1927, and in 1938 school con- sisted of seven boys. The district joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. Martin Center School (5) No. 173 Pupils from this area attended school at the Hawk School to the east, but there was much objection to the distance and the condition of the roads leading to the school. James Gillan was active in circulating the petition to divide the district which resulted in the formation of two districts. The west district, No. 5, bought the Hawk schoolhouse which was then moved one mile west to the southwest corner of Section 15. The building was remodeled and the grounds were well kept. For many years debating societies met there. The location made this Center School though often called Gaddis School for James Gaddis, who lived nearby. In 1938 the enrollment was only three. The school merged with the Colfax Unit in 1948. BuNN School (4) No. 174 Consisting of five sections this district was organized in 1881. The school site at the northwest corner of Section 20 was donated by Isaac Bunn, so it has always been known as the Bunn School. Made standard in 1913, the build- ing has since been remodeled by the addition of an entrance on the north. The district joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. Franklin School (3) No. 175 The first school in this township, a log house built in 1856, was located about forty rods east of the west line of the N.W. J4 of Section 5 on the south side of the road east of the top of the hill. Known as No. 1 and later called Union School, the school drew pupils from a distance, even some from Blue Mound Township who paid tuition. The school had been an interesting community center. In the late 1860s a neat frame house was erected one quarter mile south of the recent site. After the hard road was opened in 1928, the house was moved to its last location at the northwest corner of Section 8. Repaired and with a new basement, this was the first school in the County to have Venetian blinds and fluorescent lighting. The 184 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS school was named for Benjamin Franklin. This district became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. Wiley School (2) No. 176 In 1858 a cheap frame house was built at the north edge of the woods, almost a mile north and a little east of the recent site. The local Christian Church was organized there in 1859. The roads and the Mackinaw River were a problem in 1867, so the district was divided leaving less than three sections for this district. The site at the southwest corner of Section 3 was obtained from Lytle Wiley but no house was built. Dissolved in 1869 the dis- trict was restored the next year for sentiment demanded a school there. The recent house erected then served the district through the years. It was kept in excellent repair, but the enrollment in 1938 was just two pupils. Always called Wiley School, the school joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. ANCHOR TOWNSHIP 24N-6E Detached from Cropsey Township and organized as Anchor in 1877, this township is the farthest east in the middle tier of townships. The Mack- inaw River in its early stages and with several branches drains the entire area. With the exception of a small portion in the southeastern part, the surface is rather level inclining slightly from the south. The soil is mostly a deep black loam. A small grove in Section 5 was the only timber area in Anchor Township. The first settler, W. T. Stackpole, who came in 1855, purchased more than two thousand acres and built a large residence. He was one of the first to successfully break the prairie sod with horses. A trail road from Saybrook to Lexington provided the first outlet for marketing grain. Later the county road crossing from Saybrook north to Fair- bury was opened with an iron bridge across the Mackinaw. To the south of the bridge on the west side of the road was a post office called Garda, and another post office, known as Dart, was situated about four miles to the south. Mail was brought by carrier on horseback twice each week. The village of Anchor was established in 1880 when the Illinois Central branch of the railroad came through. Among the township's many sturdy citizens were Jacob Martens, who served some time in the General Assembly, and D. B. Stewart, who had an important part in the civic development of the township. Anchor School (2, 403) No. 187 In 1868 a sturdy frame house was built on the north side of the Mack- inaw River near the road on the east side of Section 6. After the village was laid out in 1879, this school was moved to the southeast corner of West and Third streets onto a triangular lot. Having been the Stewart Bunch SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 185 School, it was now called Little Red School. The rapidly growing village soon required two teachers. A neat brick building was erected in 1896 at a cost of $5000 and a year of high school work was offered for the first time in 1907. In 1916 a third teacher was hired and a two-year high school course was begun. BIRD HOUSE CONTEST AT ANCHOR GRADE SCHOOL, Lucy Spires, principal. In 1921 Districts No. 187 and No. 229 voted to organize a community consolidated district but residents of former District No. 229 soon became dis- satisfied on account of the distance and lack of transportation. A vote on July 7, 1924 to detach No. 229 failed of the necessary three-fourths majority. However, another vote in 1931 succeeded in putting No. 229 back as a rural school. In 1933 District No. 187 voted out the consolidation. Through the years the residents of Anchor have shown much interest in the elementary school, giving it good management and equipment. The modern gymnasium built by the high school district was also helpful to the elementary school. Seven rural schools consolidated with Anchor in 1947 and in 1948 this entire township was included in the Community District No. 8. Anchor Community High School No. 310 Since the Anchor Community High School No. 310 was organized in 1920, a four-year high school program has been offered. In 1923 the high school district built an addition to the Anchor Grade School at a cost of 186 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS $30,000. It included study hall, classrooms, and an office as well as other modern improvements. The high school enrollment has been small although they have done excellent work. Sherwood School (6) No. 178 District No. 6 was organized in 1870. The recent house was built in 1872 at the northwest corner of Section 32. In 1873 George R. Buck who lived near organized the congregation which later built the Bethel Metho- dist Church one mile to the east. Repaired at times and made standard, the schoolhouse underwent rather extensive repairs in 1919. Named for Robert Sherwood who owned the west half of the district, the school became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. RocKFORD School (4) No. 179 In 1866 the south half of the township consisting of eighteen sections was organized as District No. 3. A schoolhouse built on the east side of Section 21 and called Jones School housed the first Sunday school begun in the town- ship. When the district was cut up into four districts, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, in 1870, this district, No. 4, consisted of six sections. The recent site, about eighty rods north of the southeast corner of Section 28 and a mile south of the Jones School, was donated by Abe Jones. The United Brethren held services there for sometime. Called Rockford from the name of an insurance company on a plate above the door, a new cement block building was erected in 1913 and about ten years later the porch was added. The district became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. Mt. Zion School (1) No. 180 After District No. 1 was divided in 1877, the old Worley School one mile west was abandoned. A half acre site at the northwest corner of Section 13 was selected for what remained of No. 1. There a small frame house was built which served the large enrollment of the district until 1895, when an- other half acre was added to the south side and the recent house was erected. This house, remodeled and well maintained through the years, was some- times called Kerher School for Mat Kerber, a prominent farmer and director who supervised the building of the new house. The name, Mt. Zion School, appears well established although its origin is unknown. There was an ex- cellent parents' club at this school. The district joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. Fairview School (5) No. 181 After the organization of the district in 1870, a small frame building was erected at the northeast corner of the S.E. ^ of Section 26. It was replaced in 1875 by the recent larger and more beautiful school. The Lutheran Con- gregation was organized here, using the house for many years before a church SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 187 was built one mile north and one mile west. An interesting community center, the school's location on the broad level prairie made the name, Fairview, very appropriate. John Calvin Hanna, the first High School Inspector in the State Superintendent's Office, taught his first school here in 1876. The dis- trict became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. FAIRVIEW SCHOOL, District No. 181, 1937. Louise T. Simpson, teacher. Kingston School (9) No. 182 The west four and one-half sections were cut off from District No. 1 in 1877 for this new district. The recent small frame schoolhouse was built on the south side of Section 9 was obtained from Milton Kingston. While Cropsey and Anchor Townships were together, the voting center was the Worley School, a mile and a quarter east of this school. Kingston later be- came the voting center for Anchor Township. The building has been but slightly remodeled through the years, although an excellent school has been conducted there with very good community cooperation. The district con- solidated with Anchor in 1947 and joined District Unit No. 8 in 1948. Sabin School (3) No. 183 The district was organized in 1870 from District No. 3 which had been divided into four districts. A house of rough lumber was built on the north- west corner of Section 20 and furnished with crude benches and a tabic. 188 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Sold for $26.03, this house was moved away by the use of six yoke of oxen. In 1878 a new house was built on the southeast corner of Section 18 at a cost of $700.80 for the house and $20 for the lot. The land for the school was obtained from Dr. Daniel Sabin, and consequently, it was called Sabin School. A flood on July 9, 1885 floated the house north to lodge against the willows at the junction of the streams. Joseph Perry put up a new foundation and moved it back, charging $100 plus $14.75 for brick and other repair materials. Remodeled and made standard in 1927, the schoolhouse was some- times called Frog Alley School because of its low terrain. At the first home- coming on July 29, 1934 two-hundred fifty were present. The school joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. Miller School (7) No. 188 This district organized in 1868 erected a temporary building on the west side of the road almost a mile to the north of the recent school. In 1872 the recent site was selected and a small house was built at the northeast corner of Section 2. With the addition of an entrance on the north, it has served the district through the years. The school was named for Charlie Miller who lived across the road to the east. The district consolidated with Cropsey in 1947, which later joined Fairbury. WHITE OAK TOWNSHIP 25N-1E White Oak Township was named for the beautiful and large tract of timber which follows the Mackinaw River, extending through the northwest part of the township. The "old trail," later known as the state road, threaded across the prairie toward the high ground in the northwest. The remainder of the Township is level to moderately rolling. The site of Oak Grove and the high elevation of Indian Point could almost be called scenic. The first settler, Smith Denman, arrived in 1829 and other settlers soon followed. Early inhabited parts of the Township, including the timbered areas, were served by three log schools supported mainly by subscription. Denman School was located near the trail; Middle School was built on a side trail about one mile and a half southwest in Section 21 ; and the other school was farther west. White Oak is the smallest township in McLean County. Carlock School (8, 12) No. 189 Prairie District was organized in 1863, and consisted of five sections — two in White Oak Township and three in Dry Grove Township. Muddy roads and slow methods of traveling in those days made the distance to school a hardship for some of the pupils. Therefore, the district was divided in 1869, with two sections in White Oak Township becoming Chapel District No. 15. A jog in the district lines made it possible to include approximately eighty SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 189 acres in Danvers Township. It was in this area that the school was erected. The remaining three sections were known as Bunker Hill, District No. 12, and its school was built in the northwest corner of Section 4 in Dry Grove Town- ship about one and one-half miles from the present site of Carlock. The town of Carlock is a good example of the interesting part railroads have played in fixing the location of communities. At one time Oak Grove was a prosperous little village which stood on a hill in White Oak Township. When the Nickel Plate Railroad, then known as Lake Erie and Western Rail- road, was extended west from Bloomington in 1887, it was built southwest of Oak Grove to avoid the hill. Soon Oak Grove business men began to move to the railroad and the beautiful little village began to decline, while Carlock, laid out by John F. Carlock in 1887, began to grow. BIRD HOUSE CONTEST at Carlock Grade School, 1914, Edmund Augspurger, principal. The increasing population created a demand for a school closer to Car- lock than either Chapel or Bunker Hill, where the children were then attend- ing. So for a time the town hall was rented, and served as a subscription school for those who could afford to attend. In 1893 the present Carlock District was organized and both Chapel and Bunker Hill Schools were soon abandoned. A two-story brick building erected in Carlock in 1894 used only one of its rooms until 1899 when two teachers were employed. To meet the fast growing demands for higher education, one year of high school work 190 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS was added to the curriculum in 1906 and the faculty was increased to three teachers. In 1939 with the help of the Public Works Administration, the present brick building was constructed at a cost of nearly $20,000. Carlock Township High School No. 366 The Carlock Township High School was organized under the 1911 Township High School Act. This law, nicknamed the "Humming Bird Act", provided that the inhabitants of any contiguous and compact territory, either in the same or different townships, upon a petition signed by at least fifty legal voters and an affirmative vote in such territory might establish a town- ship high school. A petition was filed with the County Superintendent and he called an election on March 26, 1914, which resulted in one hundred and ninety-three votes for and fifty-four against the proposition to establish the district. In 1916 this High School Act was declared unconstitutional but in the next year the Fiftieth General Assembly validated all districts formed under the Act. The law provided for a board of education of seven members with the president elected each year. The personnel of the first Board consisted of: M. P. Lantz, president; D. A. Augstin, secretary; J. K. Esh, Dr. Mc- Donald, Ali G. Stahly, Mary B. Hamilton, and Dan Maurer, members. It is interesting to note that the Legislature has since passed community high school acts. The present Act has been upheld in the Courts. As far as legal terms are concerned, Carlock was a township high school, however, its scope and purposes are those intended in any of the other high schools organized under the more recent Act. Edmund Augspurger was placed in charge of the new high school and the classes met in the telephone building. The Board purchased the present site for $1000 and the old Christian Church for $600. Remodeling and equipment brought total expense to $6000. The second teacher was hired in 1916, the faculty was increased to three in 1918, and later other teachers were added. An excellent four-year high school was maintained through the years. The gymnasium was built in 1926 for $6000 and in 1936 several of the rooms were enlarged. In the summer of 1941 a vote to build a new school was de- feated by a vote of one hundred fifty-nine to one hundred sixty-nine. The prop- osition was again submitted in October, but it was lost by one vote. All schools of this Township joined the Normal Unit in 1948. Crown Point School (7) No. 190 A log school, built in 1856 across the road and east of the recent site at the northeast corner of Section 33, served the community until the early 1870s when the frame house was erected. In 1929 a basement and furnace SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 191 were added. Called Swann and Hamilton for nearby residents, the school has generally been known as Crown Point. Since it was located north of Bunker Hill School, someone made the historic connection and named the school. This was the first prairie school in the Township. Enrollment was rather large in early times, especially while the pupils of Oak Grove attended there and it had its share of community interest and community programs. The first homecoming, a big event, was held in June, 1934 and other annual gatherings of that nature have been held since then. The school consolidated with the Normal Unit in 1948. Denman School (4) No. 191 Across the trail west of the cemetery the settlers built in 1840 a log house which was used as a subscription school for several years. The newly organized Methodist group also held meetings there. Ten years later, in 1850, a frame schoolhouse was erected on the south side just east of the recent site. This building faced the east and was located near the spring. In 1867 the recent building was constructed on the county line and maintained in fair condition. The school was named for Smith Denman, the first settler in the township, who helped found the church and the cemetery. The school was absorbed by the Normal Unit in 1948. Maple Grove School (6, 11) No. 192 The first school in this district was held during the winter of 1859-60 in a room at the Christian Ropp home. In 1860 a rough frame building was erected across from the recent site and equipped with home-made benches and desks but without blackboards. This building was moved in 1867, one mile east to the northeast corner of Section 36, west of the Manassah Troyer home, and was then known as Troyer School. Territory to the east was organized as Kaufman School in 1875 and a new school was built in this district at the southwest corner of Section 25. The many maple trees set out at that time suggested the name, Maple Grove School. The school was well equipped. A furnace was put in the basement and for a while natural gas was used as fuel. The district merged with the Normal Unit in 1948. White Oak School (5) No. 193 White Oak schoolhouse was built in the early 1860s at the northwest corner of the S.W. ^ of Section 24. Named for Jessie Chism whose home was west of the school, it was known as Chism School until 1913 when the name was changed to White Oak. The school served as both a place of learning and a community center. The building was remodeled to meet state requirements as needs arose, so that it was well equipped, though its en- rollment was very small. The school was absorbed by the Normal Unit in 1948. 192 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS HUDSON TOWNSHIP 25N-2E Hudson is the second township north of Bloomington Township. Skirted on the northern border by the Mackinaw River with its attendant timber, the Six Mile Creek meanders across the Township toward the northwest, Hickory Creek, on the other hand, flows toward the northeast to join Money Creek as it crosses the Township from the southeast. Some of the wooded areas along the streams are plenty rough while the prairie sections are but slightly rolling with rich black soil. The first permanent settlement was made by Jesse Havens in 1829 at the grove which bears his name on Six Mile Creek. Hinthorns were the first to settle in the northeast section on Money Creek. The Bloomington-Ottawa Trail through this area meant occasional mail and needed supplies, and the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1854 provided the local market which was greatly needed. The Hudson Colony was established in 1836 by settlers who came from Hudson, New York. A share in the Colony cost $235 and entitled the owner to four lots in the newly platted village, twenty acres of timber, and one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land. The promoters built two schoolhouses for the colonists — one west of the cemetery and the other on the Cox farm in Section 11. Another village was platted about two miles north of Hudson by H. D. Cook, father of John W. Cook, at one time president of Illinois State Normal University. The town was called Oneida for Mr. Cook's home in New York. The Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad was expected to come through the town site but the railroad was built some distance to the north and the town project was abandoned. Hudson has been the home of several men of national reputation, including Elbert Hubbard, Melville Stone, and Buffalo Jones. Several prominent educators began their educations in local schools. Hudson School (4) No. 197 As agreed by the promoters of the Hudson Colony a one-room school building was erected in 1838 on the west side of the east cemetery, where for almost forty years school was conducted. Religious and political groups also met there. About 1875 this original building was replaced by a two- story house located in the southwest corner of what is now the cemetery. Two teachers were then employed, but in 1903 the present site was selected and a four-room brick veneer building was erected. The old house was sold to J. F. Keller, moved to the northwest corner of Block 18, and remodeled into a very good residence. The new school was destroyed by fire in 1911 but it was rebuilt without delay. A third teacher was added in 1907 in order to offer two years of high school work. In 1920 three teachers were employed SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 193 in the grades, A three-year high school course was planned in 1934, with a faculty of three, but the high school was discontinued in 1936. Most of Hudson Township was added to the Normal Community High School Dis- trict in 1938. In 1948 the grade school joined the Normal Unit District. JOHNNIE RAMSEYER AND HIS 4-H CLUB PIG, COLUMBIA, 1918. John A. is now Director of Secondary Education at Ohio State University. JCaufman School (8) No. 194 In 1875 District No. 8, consisting of one and one-half sections, that had previously been a part of District No. 6 in White Oak Township, was organ- ized but the new district did not maintain school for one year. In 1878 two more sections were added and the recent house was built at the northeast corner of Section 31. Kept in good repair, the building was improved in recent years by an addition on the north side for indoor toilets. The school has always been known as Kaufman School, because the building site was purchased from Christian Kaufman. Two sons of M. L. Ramseyer, a director of many years service, have been quite successful in their chosen fields of effort. Roy is a Bloomington attorney; and Lloyd is the president of Bluff ton College. This district became a part of the Normal Unit District in 1948. Herring School (7) No. 195 This small district of two and one-half sections was cut off from Hudson and Skinner Districts in 1875, because the distance to either school was con- 194 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS sidercd too far over the unimproved roads of that time. A small house was built at the northeast corner of Section 34 and called Herring School for S. Herring who lived to the east of the school. It has been kept in good repair until recent years. In 1937 the school was closed, for there was only one pupil to attend. This school consolidated with the Normal Unit in 1948. Skinner School (5) No. 196 Territory in this district was detached from Hudson District in 1863. After much delay the present site was obtained from Mark Skinner, thus it has always been known as the Skinner School. S. Y. Gillan, later a promi- nent lecturer and publisher, taught here in 1871. A rather long building, erected at the northeast corner of Section 26 in 1865, has served the com- munity through the years. The house was later remodeled with an addition for toilets and library. More than thirty pupils from this district have become teachers. The school merged with the Normal Unit in 1948. Grove School (1) No. 198 The first school in Hudson Township was held in the west room of Jesse Haven's house with Dr. Oliver March as teacher. For some time after that a subscription school was conducted at the Methodist Church located in the old cemetery. In the early 1840s a small frame house was built on the east side of the road west of the cemetery. A new building costing $800, was erected on the west side of the road in the summer of 1856. At that time the district was very large but other districts were being organized and in 1862 this district still had eight and three-quarter sections. In 1878 Districts No. 8 and 9 were organized from the territory of No. 1, leaving but two and three- quarter sections, so District No. 198 united with Hudson District No. 197 in 1911. Grove schoolhouse was used as a dwelling, oil station, and store and was moved farther back from the road in 1931. Holder School (9) No. 199 After much complaint about the distance to the school and impassable roads from the residents of the west side of District No. 1, a house was built at the northwest corner of Section 29 for their convenience. For a time two schools were conducted in the district. In 1878 the district was divided, each half district taking a schoolhouse. The new district was Kaufman, and the building on the C. W. Holder land is the recent Holder School. Though en- rollment was small most of the time, the house was improved and repaired to meet the state requirements when it became necessary. The school merged with the Normal Unit District in 1948. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 195 Oneida School (3) No. ,200 The Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad was expected to cross the Illinois Central Railroad at the location of the platting of the town of Oneida. H. D. Cook, father of John Cook president of Illinois State Normal University from 1890-1899, came from Oneida County, New York and was interested in promoting the new town. A log schoolhouse was built in the early 1850s and later a frame house was erected northeast of town, which served the community for sometime. Since most of the children lived west of the railroad, it was decided to find a new site more nearly the center of the district. In 1867 the recent location at the west center of Section 9 was selected and the house was completed in 1868. The school then had home- made seats and desks with a rostrum for the teacher at the west end and a door at each side. In 1904 a hall and coatrooms were added and the house was raised and remodeled in 1916 to comply with the state requirements. An excellent school was maintained. For many years the Dunkards used the schoolhouse for church services but in 1875 they built their own church which was later moved to Hudson. The members of the Christian Church also met at Oneida School, but later built in Hudson. District No. 200 joined the Normal Unit District in 1948. Union School (2) No. 201 In the early 1840s a small frame house was erected one-half mile east of the recent site by the stockholders of the Hudson Colony. After a few years more room was needed and Oneida Station was being abandoned, so the store building with its sign, Cash and Produce, was moved to this site and remodeled in 1862. It served for school purposes until 1869. The residents of the east side of this district seceded in 1867, feeling that they would be happier with their own district. The recent site at the northeast corner of Section 15 was selected because of its nearness to the center of the district. The new house was completed in 1870 and the old one was sold to Lewis Sailor for $30.25 and was used as a church for a time. The lot was bought by Mr. Stotler for $10. For many years Union was one of the largest and best supported schools in the Township, because the district showed a real interest in education. Many of the young people became teachers or entered other professions. The house was modernized and remodeled in 1918, but on February 26. 1920 the schoolhouse burned. The new building was completed for the beginning of school in the fall at a cost of $8500. The Union School consolidated with Normal Unit District in 1948. Grades one to six arc now- taught there. 196 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Pleasant Grove School (6) No. 202 After much controversy the three sections comprising this district were detached from Union District in 1867. Trouble had arisen betw^een the timber and prairie groups. Those living in the woods were accused of being "Copper Heads" or even "horse thieves". A house was built on the recent site at the center of Section 12 and from the reputation of the community, it was soon called "Hell's Bend". Time has seen all animosity vanish, yet the name lingered on. The recent small house bearing the sign. Pleasant Grove School, September, 1892, was erected in front of the dilapidated old house. The interesting little school was well equipped. The old house was sold in 1894 for $15 to Daniel Ogden. This district, like many of the early com- munities, had its subscription schools held in a home or vacant building. The school merged with the Normal Unit in 1948. MONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP 25N-3E This Township lies just north of the center township of the County. In the northeastern part there is extensive timber along the Mackinaw River and also a large wooded area in the western sections along Money Creek. In the southwest corner and in the center of the Township extending to the southeast section, there is some very fine prairie land. Settlers had located in Big Grove or Money Creek Timber as early as 1826. Clarksville was platted in 1836. The town had a church, a log school, a large store, a saw mill, and several residences but it soon declined after the railroad was constructed through Lexington. The first log school in the Township was built in 1837 on the north bank of Money Creek in the southeastern part of Section 29. An early saw mill was owned by Jacob Spauer and located on the creek east of the United Brethren Church. In more recent times, H. Mathias operated a saw and grist mill farther down stream near the western border of the Township. The first United Brethren Church in Illinois was organized in 1830 and located in Money Creek Township where a stone marker was recently placed. The Bloomington-Chicago Trail came through from the southwest just east of the Bishop Cemetery. Distance to markets and mail service were greatly improved when nearby Towanda was established. About 1890 a postoffice, called Fifer located just south of the West Mackinaw Bridge, began serving the northern part of the Township and surrounding areas. The east side of Lake Bloomington which was completed in 1930 is situated in this Township. Of the many prominent citizens from Money Creek Township, we should mention Joseph Bartholomew, Judge Thomas Tipton, the Franklins, Hansons, and the Mahans. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 197 Bishop School (3) No. 203 The first school in this district, also the first in Money Creek Township, was taught by W. P. Bishop in 1836-37 in one room of a double log cabin, the home of Isaac Messer and his family. It was located west of the creek and northeast of the recent site. A new log school was then built on the north side of Money Creek in the southeastern part of Section 29. This building was eighteen feet square, had four glass windows, a plank floor, and was heated by a wood stove. After 1855 a neat frame house was built in Bishop's field near the trail southeast of the recent schoolhouse which was erected in 1868 on the south- west corner of Section 29. Bishop School has been kept in good repair, re- modeled, and well equipped to meet the requirements of later years. It was named for the pioneer family of Bishops, long associated with this neighborhood. Austin White was the first teacher in the log schoolhouse, followed by J. Dow, D. Blood, Mr. Barton, W. F. Bishop, William Moore, J. McAfferty, Margaret Ogden, Wallace Coman, Mrs. Merryman, and W. F. Johnson. Circuit Judge Thomas F. Tipton attended this school as a boy. This district became a part of the Normal Unit in 1948. Frog Alley School (4) No. 204 In the early 1860s a small frame building was built on the recent site east of the railroad at the south side of Section 27. This rather low area was often referred to as being in a frog pond, but today this low prairie land, now drained, provides the richest farming land in Illinois. However, the name. Frog Alley, established in the early days continues to linger. Through thf years the school enrollments have been large and interesting. Constructed in the 1890s, the last school building was remodeled and kept up to date fairly well. The district was divided between Normal and Lexington Units in 1948. Hefner School (5) No. 205 In the 1850s a neat frame schoolhouse was erected on the recent site and served the community until 1908 when a new building was constructed. The new school with a basement was the first one-room house in the County in which the necessary light came in on the children's left. At the time of its construction, Hefner was the finest frame school building in the County. It is located eighty rods from the west side of Section 14 on the south side of the early state road, known as the Bloomington-Chicago Trail. This section of the trail is the longest remaining stretch in use in the County today- Hefner, like some other districts in this Township, consisted of about six sections and has had large enrollments through the years. The school was 198 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS located on the land of Peter Hefner, an early pioneer, who came here in 1830, and it has always been called Hefner School. About one and one-half miles east of the schoolhouse on the same side of the trail, the Bartholomew block- house was located during the Black Hawk War of 1832. This district con- solidated with the Lexington School in 1947 and with the Lexington Unit District in 1948. HEFNER SCHOOL, 1932. Josephine Wisner, teacher. Trimmer School (2) No. 206 In the early days children from this district attended a subscription school conducted by Delilah Maple in her home west of the Mathias mill. A neat frame schoolhouse was built in 1856 on the west side of the trail almost a mile north of the recent site. Heavy benches were placed along the wall and an enormous desk was added for the teacher. This building was sold in 1868 and a new house was erected on the same side of the trail but farther south. This school was destroyed by fire in 1883. The road was moved to the section lines, which explains the final loca- tion of the new school north of the center of Section 20. A new house was ready for occupancy in 1884 and completely remodeled in 1914. Improve- ments since included a library, a kitchen, a basement, indoor toilets, a stoker, and indirect lighting, as evidence of community interest in its school. In 1908 Maud Armstrong began teaching there and gave eight years SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 199 of outstanding service. During the period of her teaching many of the im- provements were made and the influence of her work has endured through the years. The directors have always tried to secure excellent teachers and have given them good support. Trimmer School received the State Superior Rating in 1940. The three school buildings of the district were all on the land of Jesse Trimmer who donated the sites, hence it has always been known as Trimmer School. The school was divided between the Lexington and Normal Unit Districts in 1948. The schoolhouse was sold in 1949 to the Township, to be used as a Town Hall and community center. ^..veg^'IS.,,/ %\ "> J . '*i'%& WILCOX SCHOOL, District No. 207, 1925. County Superintendent of Schools Nettie B. Dement and Mr. Dement, visiting. Blanche Messer, teacher. Wilcox School (8) No. 207 A log schoolhouse was built on a hill in the early 1850s one-eighth mile cast and one-quarter mile south of the recent location on the edge of what was then a timber area. The school served the community until after the close of the Civil War when the present building was erected. The new site was donated jointly by William Wilcox and Jonathan Ogden, each giving one-half. In 1925 the building was becoming almost unfit for school use but because building costs were high, it was decided to completely remodel 200 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS the old school, which was done efficiently. Plans for an addition and further remodeling were worked out in 1940 but lack of funds prevented the com- pletion of the work. The school was named for William Wilcox, an early settler and the father-in-law of A. A. Stewart, who was a school director for more than fifty years. This has been one of the interesting schools of the Township. They joined the Lexington Unit District. Olive Branch School (6) No. 208 In early Clarksville, a double log cabin was built for church purposes, and a subscription school was conducted in one room for several years. When our public school system began to function in 1855, Buck Creek District erected a frame building to the north on the prairie. The area which was made a part of this district included those residing on timber lots in this section. Friction between residents of the timber and those of the prairie land caused pupils to quarrel. Resulting fights only made matters worse. Finally in 1877 this district was organized by taking territory from Buck Creek and Franklin Districts. The recent house was then erected northwest of Clarksville. James Dennis, a champion speller and a bright young man, suggested the name, Olive Branch, because he felt that they could now live in peace as far as the prairie boys and girls were concerned. (James, son of William Dennis, was later an editor in Wichita, Kansas.) Olive Branch community showed much interest in this district. The house was remodeled, well equipped, and kept up to date. A Superior Rating was given the school in 1938. The district consolidated with Lexington in 1947 and joined Lexington Unit District in 1948. Franklin School (1) No. 209 A small frame schoolhouse was erected on the Noah Franklin farm in 1856. At the close of the Civil War, this building was moved about one- quarter mile west, where school was conducted until the territory to the west was detached for Olive Branch District in 1877. Again the building was moved, this time to the recent site on the Fort Clark road, where it was reconditioned for school. Closed in 1914 because of small enrollments, pupils were then transferred to Lexington. This was the first school in McLean County to close under that section of the law. The school was repaired, made standard, reopened, and operated until 1934. Reopened again in 1938 for three years, it closed again in 1941. A fair example of a schoolhouse built in the early days of the County, it has always been located on Franklin land. The district merged with Lexington in 1947 and became a part of the Lexington Unit in 1948. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 201 LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP 25N-4E Lexington Township is northeast of the center township in the County. Crossed by the Mackinaw River which is accompanied by a large timbered area, some of which is quite rough, the surface of most of the adjoining prairie is moderately rolling, providing excellent farm land. Beautiful timber in this area attracted settlers as early as 1828. Many Indians were living in the vicinity — a Kickapoo village was located at Pleasant Hill; a Delaware vil- lage was established on the north side of the Mackinaw just east of Mt. Gilead School. Indians of McLean County made no trouble during the Black Hawk War, but as a precaution the Patton cabin at Pleasant Hill, which is still standing, was fortified. The Henlines built a fort to the east in Lawn- dale and a blockhouse was erected in Money Creek Township. The first house in the village of Lexington was a double log cabin built by Jacob Spawr in 1836 to be used as a tavern and postoffice. It was a good location for business because it was on the Bloomington-Chicago trail, at the junction with the Fort Clark road. Lexington was platted that year but its growth was very slow. Pleasant Hill was then a thriving town which ceased to expand after the railroad came through Lexington in 1854. Lexington became a trading center for a large area of the County, for its business men and enter- prising citizens were not to be outdone by those in other sections of the County. They always took time out for big Fourth of July celebrations and for political rallies. Lexington Public Schools (5) No. 215 A crude log schoolhouse in the woods south of town was the only place for school and church services in the community for several years. After the Chicago and Alton Railroad came through in 1854 the town began to grow rapidly and many frame houses were erected. A. J. Flesher conducted a school in a building near the present park for some time, while other teachers rented rooms for schools in the village. In 1858 A. J. Anderson started a high school in a hall in the Kent Building. These schools had all been managed on the subscription plan. Soon after the district was organized in 1856, all schools were maintained by public taxation. Rooms were rented until the beautiful two-story brick school building was erected southeast of the park in 1865 at a cost of $10,000. It was still standing in 1945. The principal, John A. Sterling, introduced the first course of study in the high school in 1880. A new eight-room school, costing $20,750, was built on the present site in 1896. On December 12, 1913 the high school building on the cast half of the block was dedicated. In 1914 a fire destroyed the building on the west half of the block occupied by the 202 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS BIRD HOUSE CONTEST, Lexington Grade School, 1918. rlcmcntary school. It was replaced by the present school. People of Lexing- ton have always shown a wonderful interest in their schools. Lexington Community High School No. 320 Organized on January 15, 1920, the first Board of Education was W. P. Scott, President; A. P. Schantz, Secretary; Fred Thum, E. C. Mahan, H. C. Ellis, members. The local high school building, erected in 1913 at a cost of $30,000, was leased to the new District No. 320 until 1930 when they pur- chased it. The athletic field was built in 1935 by the two Boards jointly. In 1942 an excellent gymnasium and rooms for modern vocational subjects were added at a cost of around $60,000. The Lexington Community Unit District No. 7 was organized June 12, 1948. PoPEjOY School (10) No. 210 A neat frame building was erected in 1867 at the southwest corner of Section 19 in Lexington Township on a site donated by John Popejoy, an early settler, hence its name. This building, with several remodelings, served the community until January 25, 1937 when it was destroyed by fire. The recent modern building was erected the same year. Located in a large district, Popejoy has been an interesting .school through the years. The district con- solidated with the Lexington Unit in 1948. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 203 HoRNEY School (7) No. 211 Sugar Creek School, built in the 1840s, was located near the bend of the creek one half mile north and east of the recent site. The children of this district attended there until 1866 when the school was built near the south side of Section 29 on land of Hesekiah (Ki) Homey, an early settler. The school was a center for literary entertainments, spelling bees, and similar activities for many years. In 1892 a new house was built by Riley Holmes and the old building was sold to Dick Finley. Remodeled several times, usually by an addition to the length, it was made standard in 1919. The school merged with the Lexington Unit in 1948. Ad.am.s School (3) No. 212 A ^mall rather crude frame house was built in the 1860's north of the creek, a quarter mile south and some west of the recent site. When a road was opened from the west in 1877, the late building was erected on the north side of Section 34. Matthew Adams, who came from Kentucky in 1834, gave the land for the original site. With but few pupils, the school was closed in 1941. The district joined the Lexington Unit in 1948. Mt. Gilead School (2) No. 213 In the early 1860s a house was built on the west side of the road about one-quarter mile north and a quarter mile east of the recent site. Cheaply made, the building was soon torn down and a new schoolhouse was built in 1868 on the southeast corner of Section 26. After three floors had worn out in this building, it was replaced in 1918 with a new structure. James S. Pear- son, an early teacher from Mt. Gilead, Ohio, named the school Mt. Gilead, by which it has always been known. A village of Delaware Indians was located north of the bend in the Mackinaw River to the southeast and their cornfields were just south of the school. The school became a part of the Lexington District Unit in 1948. Pleasant Hill School (4) No. 214 In the autumn of 1830 men of the Patton settlement had prepared the logs for a schoolhouse but were waiting for a "sledding snow" to move them to the site, when the "deep snow" came and delayed the building for that year. With the Black Hawk War intervening, the school was not completed until late in 1832 to become the first school in Lexington Township. The house was built on a hill south of the road and northwest of the cemetery. The log school had puncheon floor, clapboard roof, a door of puncheon hung on wooden hinges and swung inward, and a heavy wooden bar was used to barricade the door from the inside. Pegged benches were of split basswood made smooth with a broad ax. There were no desks but there were benches 204 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS along the wall for those who did writing. A huge fireplace took up most of one end of the room. A sawed floor, better windows, and benches with desks were added later but this building was discarded in 1843. PLEASANT HILL SCHOOL, District No. 214 — a hike to the gravel pit for fossils, 1933. Freida M. Morrison, teacher. A frame schoolhouse was then moved from Lexington which was pro- vided with walnut seats and desks. It was heated with a large wood stove, and made rather comfortable for the rapidly increasing school enrollment. A frame two-story school was erected in 1857 at the rear of the recent school lot at the southeast corner of the village of Pleasant Hill and called the "Academy." A principal and three assistants served the community for a time, after which it became a two-teacher school. The present schoolhouse was completed in 1890 and has been remodeled, made modern, and well- equipped. The former school building was torn down. Through the years. Pleasant Hill was one of the largest one-teacher schools in the County and its community was cooperative in the development of a social center of value and pleasure to the entire district. Pleasant Hill consolidated with the Lexington District in 1948. Cross Roads School (5) No. 216 In the early 1860s a building was erected on the east side of the road about forty rods south of the recent school on the land of W. D. Johnson, SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 205 hence it was known as the Johnson School. One-half acre in the northeast comer of Section 9 was purchased in 1872 from Sarah Strayer for $50 and the schoolhouse was then moved to this site where it served well for the next fifty-six years. The new modern brick veneer building was built in 1928 at the location suggesting the name it has borne these many years, Cross Roads. The school merged with the Lexington Unit in 1948. Crumbaker School (9) No. 217 Pupils residing in this district had attended subscription schools and schools in other districts until 1867 when a small frame building was erected on the recent site at the center of the east side of Section 14. This house was replaced by a new building in 1890 which has since been remodeled and made into a modern school, even though the enrollment was small. An interesting school with all the entertainment and events characteristic of early days, it has been called Crumbaker for William A. Crumbaker who lived across the road to the east. The district consolidated with the Lexing- ton Unit in 1948. Prairie Hall School (1) No. 218 The first house was built on the open prairie one half mile north of the southwest corner of Section 1 in 1855 by James and William Lindsay. James Lindsay often plowed furrows around the schoolhouse to keep prairie fires away from it. The building was used for Sunday school as well as political and other meetings, thus it was early styled Prairie Hall. The low, well- worn house was replaced in 1906 after fifty years of service. The school was closed for several years for lack of pupils. In 1927 is was improved with some modem equipment and reopened but the schoolhouse burned April 13, 1947. The district joined the Lexington Unit District in 1948. LAWN DALE TOWNSHIP 25N-5E Mr. John Cassedy, who was later elected to the State Legislature, rep- resented this Township on the board of supervisors in its first session in 1858. Beautiful grass which covered slopes to the northeast and southwest suggested the name, Lawndale. The Henlines who came here in 1828 were first settlers and others followed, settling in three sections of timber land in the southwest comer. More than twenty years passed before any settlers ventured out on the prairies. During the Blackhawk War a stockaded fort was erected on Henline land about one hundred and ten rods north of the Evergreen Church on the west side of the present road. A whip saw and grist mill, operated by steam power, were built in 1853 on Henline Creek near the first schoolhouse. 20C McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Lawndale Methodist Church and its nearby cemetery were located one mile east of Lawndale School. The church had been organized at the school in 1860 and Evergreen Methodist Church was built in 1868. The German Lutheran Church, with a school and cemetery, was established at the present location near the center of Section 11. Colfax Community High School, organized in 1920, included the entire Township with the exception of about five sections in the northwest corner which were taken into Lexington High School District. Evergreen School (3) No. 219 About 1830 a log schoolhouse was built near Hcnline Creek on the south side of the road near the spring. Legend relates that some Indian children attended there, for they were still living in that neighborhood when the Henline Fort was built during the Blackhawk War in 1832. The log house, or houses, served the community for school and church purposes until 1856 when a frame house was built one-quarter mile west of the recent location. Shelton Smith served as first teacher in the frame building, which was moved a quarter mile east to the corner in 1868. This building was replaced by a new house in 1907. After remodeling the building was main- tained in excellent condition. Becai s it was near Evergreen Church and Cemetery, it was known as Evergreen School. The district became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. Hawthorne School (5) No. 220 In 1866 Lawndale Township was laid out into six districts, consisting of six sections each, and District No. 5 was located in the center of the lower half of the Township. A frame building was erected at the southeast corner of the N.W. ^ of Section 28 which was used until 1878 when the Township was laid out in nine districts. A new site was then selected in the center of the district where a better structure with a basement was built on the southwest corner of Section 27. It has always been called Hawthorne School for George W. Hawthorne, a land owner of the community. The district merged with the Colfax Unit in 1948. Wilson School (6) No. 221 This district was laid out in 1866 and the next year a temporary frame building was placed on the southwest corner of Section 25 on land belong- ing to a man known as "Uncle Jimmy" Wilson. A new building erected in 1874 across to the southeast replaced the old one, but this house was replaced by a concrete building in 1907. When it was destroyed by fire in 1912, a new frame schoolhouse was erected. Well-equipped it has always been known SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 207 as Wilson School. This district became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. The buildinej is being used for grades one to three. HAWTHORNE SCHOOL, District No. 220. Vera Lobdell, teacher. Liberty School (7) No. 222 In 1871 territory taken from Maple and Wilson Districts was organized into this district and a house was built on the recent site north of the south- east corner of Section 14. It served the community until 1899 when the new house was erected. In early days it was known as McNab School because McNab Brothers owned four hundred acres of land north of the school. Later was known as Liberty School because it was organized at a time when interest in the Centennial Celebration of our Independence was high. Liberty School was maintained in excellent condition and well equipped, and joined the Colfax Unit in 1948. Center School (9) No. 223 For the last district in the Township to be organized, two sections were taken in 1878 from the district to the north and two from the district to the south, organizing them as District No. 9. At that time a neat frame building was erected at the southeast corner of Section 16. Because it was located in the center of the Township, it became known as Center School. One of the good community centers for many years. Center maintained an excellent, well- equipped school until the school consolidated with the Colfax Unit in 1948. The building will be used as Town Hall. 208 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Leonard School (8) No. 224 Leonard School was included in Lawndale District until 1876 when this district No. 8 was organized and a house was built on the east side of the road forty rods from the south side of Section 18. The site was obtained from Patrick Leonard, owner of the land, and has since been known as the Leonard School. Remodeled to meet the needs of the community and state requirements, it has been an interesting school. The district was divided between the Lexington and Colfax Unit Districts in 1948. Lawndale School (2 & 3) No. 225 In 1858 the Township was divided into four districts with District No. 2, consisting of nine sections laid out in the northwest corner. On condition that a school be built within the year, a site was obtained in the center of the new district. A rough frame building was erected on the northeast corner of the S.W. Yi of Section 8 but in 1866 the Township was divided into six dis- tricts of six sections each. At that time the schoolhouse in Section 8 was moved one-half mile west and one-quarter mile north to the center of the new district. There it served what are now Lawndale and Leonard Districts until 1876, when the Lawndale School was built three-quarters of a mile farther north. Lawndale District had an unusual number of public spirited patrons who contributed much to the welfare of the district. Church and Sunday schools were conducted at the school for many years. After the house was burned in the night by an incendiary on May 16, 1880, the citizens voted to rebuild immediately the same size schoolhouse at a cost of $691.10. The school has been well maintained through the years. It joined the Lexington District Unit in 1948. Buckeye School (1, 2) No. 226 Sections No. 1, 2, and 3 were organized as District No. 1 in 1860. A school was located in the northeast corner of the S.E. y^ of Section 3. In 1862 the site was purchased on the condition that a good and sufficient school must be kept or the land reverts. In 1866 District No. 2 was organized, including this location. A new site was then obtained one mile west and a quarter south of the old school. Here, in the center of the district. Buckeye School was built in 1866. It has always been called Buckeye, possibly for some of the early settlers from Ohio. The schoolhouse has been remodeled to meet the state requirements, but they have always had much trouble to obtain a satisfactory supply of drinking water. Water from deeply drilled wells in this location has never been usable. The district was absorbed by the Colfax Unit in 1948. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 209 Maple School (1) No. 227 In 1866 the west end of this district was cut off. Luckily the schoolhouse was located on the territory which was not detached, and it was moved to the northeast corner of Section 11. In 1871 a new school building was erected across to the north of the earlier location. An inscription on the front gable in German lettering reads: "Erected August 15, 1871 Bi Germanic Mff. Co." This school in the northeast corner of the Township amid level corn lands has been called Maple, because of many beautiful maple trees on the grounds. The school consolidated with the Colfax Unit in 1948. CROPS EY TOWNSHIP 25N-6E Cropsey Township was organized in April, 1858. Named for Colonel A. J. Cropsey, who settled here in 1854, it included what is now Anchor Township until 1877. This Township is entirely prairie and as a consequence, had no early settlements. Belle Prairie, the northern half of the congressional township (25N-6E), is connected with this one in school affairs. An elevation, known as the Cropsey Ridge, crosses the Township from the northwest spread- ing out into well drained, undulating high land of rich black loam. The Henline Creek crosses from the east. The Potosi postoffice and trading center was established in the early 1860s. The long distance to a grain market was a real hardship before the Illinois Central branch of the Railroad came through this section and the village of Cropsey was established. An effort to locate a station one mile to the northeast, named Rosalthe, failed when people refused to move to the new town. The Railroad Company had built a depot and laid out a side track there, but they were moved to the site of Cropsey when Rosalthe did not develop. Cropsey Township was fortunate in having many sturdy and progressive citizens, many of them interested in music and the social welfare of the community. Cropsey School (3, 5, 6) No. 302 Cropsey Township was laid out in school districts in 1859. District No. 3 included ten and one-half sections in McLean and three in Livingston County, an area only sparsely settled at the time. A neat frame schoolhouse was erected in 1860 on the northeast corner one mile west of the present village of Cropsey. The district was reorganized in 1867 as No. 5, with practically the same territory. When the Township was redistricted in 1868, District No. 6, In the northeast part comprising two and one-half sections in this County and two In Livingston, purchased the schoolhouse and moved it to the present school site which was then the center of the district. The 210 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Potosi, Mann and Miller Districts were laid out at that time, largely from territory from the former District No. 5. The one-room school served the district until a few years after the village of Cropsey was platted in 1880. A two-room school was then built, which burned in 1910. The same year a third teacher had been employed for the high school work. The present four- room block building was erected in 1911 at a cost of $6200. Two elementary and two high school teachers were employed in the new school which offered a three-year high school program. Several rural schools in this area con- solidated with Cropsey in 1947, and were taken into the Fairbury Unit District No. 3. Cropsey Community High School No. 399 With the organization of the Community High School in 1920, the high school was moved to the beautiful new building and grounds on the east side of the town. An accredited four-year high school has since been maintained here. They became a part of the Fairbury Unit in 1950. Merrill School (4, 6, 9) No. 228 Laid out in 1867, this district consisted of six sections detached from Fairview District to the north and one-half section from what is now Anchor Township. The two east sections were detached in 1868 for the new District No. 8, and a few years later a schoolhouse was built about a quarter mile south of the recent site. In 1891 the house was moved to the northeast corner of Section 31, where it remained through the years. The schoolhouse has been kept in fair condition, with some good improvements made as they were needed. It was named Merrill School for Esbon M. Merrill, a wealthy land owner living just across to the northeast. The school was closed for some time and the few pupils were sent to Anchor. The district merged with the Anchor Consolidation in 1947 and with the Colfax Unit in 1948. Mann School (8) No. 229 In 1868 this district was platted with two sections from District No. 6, two from District No. 5, and a section and a half from what was later Anchor Township. In 1869 a neat frame house was erected on the southeast corner of the N.E. y^ of Section 33. The school was known as Mann School for J. B. T. Mann who then owned a section of land south of the school. Mr. Mann, a brother of William Mann, was a nurseryman and produced thousands of Osage hedge plants for the farmers in Central Illinois. In 1921 this district consolidated with Anchor, but some were not satisfied because Anchor failed to provide transportation. A vote to withdraw failed in 1921, but was carried in 1931. The schoolhouse, still standing, was improved and remodeled SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 211 at a cost of $2000. After about ten years with a small enrollment, the school was closed again and the pupils were sent to Anchor. The district consolidated with Anchor in 1947 and became a part of Colfax Unit District in 1948. PoTosi School (5) No. 303 The Potosi District was organized in 1868 in its recent form, and a well- constructed frame house was erected at the northeast corner of Section 21 at a cost of about $1500. The directors were censured for such extravagance because many flimsy houses had been erected in the past for as low as $200. The school became the social center of the community. The Christians, or Campbellites as they were called, held meetings in the school for many years. Lyceums, spelling bees, and public meetings were other attractions. The Grange held its regular sessions there while the group functioned in that section. The house burned on February II, 1920 after serving the district nearly fifty-two years. The new schoolhouse, then built, was modern with a basement and furnace. A later addition provided plumbing and toilets. The school was well equipped with good neighborhood support, but the social interest of earlier times was lacking. The once thriving village of Potosi, a half mile to the east, named by the post office department, gives us the name for the school. The dis- trict joined Cropsey Consolidation, which was absorbed by the Fairbury Unit. F.MRVIEW SCHOOL, Di.tnct No. jJl, i:)..i. IkUn Wonick, teacher. 212 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Fairview School (4) No. 304 The first schoolhouse was built in 1858 just west of the present Fairview Church. After two or three years this house was burned and a new one was erected on the recent site at the northeast corner of Section 19. In 1873 this schoolhouse was replaced with a new one of good construction for that time. The ceiling was of 1x12 inch pine boards and later it was covered with laths and plaster. After fifty years service, the entire ceiling fell during the night, causing much damage to the furniture. In later years the school was remodeled; an addition added to the south for a kitchen and toilets, it was relined, and redecorated. The equipment was very complete. Religious and other meetings were held in the schoolhouse before the church was built. The name, Freshcorn School, was used for a time, in honor of G. W. Freshcorn who lived to the east. Later it took the name of the church and was called Fairview School. They had an excellent community club. The district con- solidated with Cropsey, which joined the Fairbury Unit. G RIDLEY TOWNSHIP 26N-2 & 3E Gridley Township in the northwest corner is the largest in the County, really a township and a half. The larger part of its area is rather level with a black soil, unexcelled in fertility. It becomes more rolling in the southwest portion near the timber that cuts into three of the lower sections. The Town- ship is drained by Buck Creek and several smaller branches of the Mackinaw River. There were a few settlers in the timber areas as early as 1835, but in 1850 many still doubted that the vast open prairies would ever be inhabited. The picture was changed by the coming of the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad which gave the farmers a local market. In 1856 the village of Gridley was laid out at the highest point in the Township and named for Asahel Gridley who was the general agent for the Illinois Central Railroad lands from LaSalle to the southern boundary of McLean County. The Rail- road Company had been awarded in 1850 all the even numbered sections not occupied in this area, and since settlements on the prairie had been slow, the company became owner of half the Township. With inside information, Mr. Gridley was able to capitalize on the new village site. It is interesting to note that the land of this Township was sold at from $8 to $18 per acre, depending upon the distance to market. If the agent made the sale he re- ceived 50c per acre. The United States government surveyors made a survey and notes of this Township in October, 1833. This item is interesting: "On a rolling prairie on the west line of the S.W. '/4 of Section 34, a large field laying on the east side of this line, except 150 links owned by Mr. Baholomus". This SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 213 was General Bartholomew who lived to the south at Clarksville. At that time few people had any means of breaking the tough prairie sod. Gridlev School (5) No. 239 In 1859 the first school in this village, built by subscription at a cost of $105, was located on Third Street in the block west of the post office. Sixteen pupils attended the school taught by Charles Cochrane. In 1860 a one-room school was built by the district on Lot 10 in the block east of the high school. A few years later another room was added on the next lot east. The two rooms were moved to separate locations in the early 1880s, and a new two-story, four-room building was erected on the site. A high school course was offered, the first class graduating in 1892. In 1906 the beautiful brick building was erected. Four elementary teachers were then employed and the high school conducted a four-year program. The principal with some assist- ance from the grammar room teacher took care of the high school work, until requirements demanded two more teachers in 1935. Community High School District No. 410 In 1936 the Community High School District No. 410 was voted in, after two attempts to organized in 1920 had failed. The increased attendance with additional teachers soon overcrowded the building. The two School Boards met and showed excellent cooperation. The High School Board purchased and remodeled the building for extra courses, and a large gymnasium was also added. The new $65,000 elementary school south of the high school was completed in 1941. The school spirit of this village would be a worthy example for any community. The citizens of the locality organized Community Consolidated District No. 474 in 1948, and voted $190,000 to enlarge the elementary building in 1950. Pleasant View School (1) No. 230 A log schoolhouse was built on the recent site on the north side of the Fort Clark trail road in the early 1840s. It was called Log School. There was a good spring of drinking water not too far to the east. The house was later repaired, improved, and well equipped for that time with better furniture. People from a distance referred to it as the Coon Bridge School for the Adam Coon family living near there, and the crossing at the Mackinaw River was called "Coon Ford". Later a bridge was built on piles was Coon Bridge. This early information was given by Mrs. Retta Dodson and A. W. Coon in an interview on January 12, 1923. Both had attended the old Log School and Retta had later taught there. It would have been interesting if the stories told by these former pupils could have been recorded. 214 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS The present building replaced the old landmark and was then called Willard School for Elias Willard who lived near. As the timber was being cleared away, the name it now carries was suggested, for it was becoming a pleasant view. The neighborhood remains an interesting one but the school and its equipment were not kept up with the times. The district consolidated with the El Paso Unit in 1948. Prairie College (6) No. 231 After the district was organized in 1862, a house was built north of the center of Section 23. When the new house was completed someone as a joke called it, Prairie College, and the name has persisted through the years. Church services were held there for some time, and later a Methodist Church was built across the road to the southeast. In 1912 a new schoolhouse was erected. With very large enrollments in the early days, this has been an interesting and excellent school and community center. The school merged with the El Paso Unit in 1948. FisHBURN School (3) No. 232 On June 29, 1857 the voters met at the home of Mr. A. Thurston to select a school site and to determine an amount sufficient to build and furnish a schoolhouse. Jacob Fishburn, the father of Dr. Fishburn of El Paso, offeree the site at the northwest corner of Section 14, gratis. $420 was the amount agreed upon, which was to be raised by taxation and paid in five equal payments. The schoolhouse furnished with handmade benches and a table was completed in December by the builder, Wesley Pierce. School began at once, the summer term being taught by Lucinda D. Nay. This first school served a large territory, for the district in 1862 included six sections, bul in 1867 Sections No. 2 and 3 were cut off. In 1875 the badly dilapidated house was sold to Timothy Enright for $43. Sunday schools had been held there, often with prairie flowers for decoration. The recent house was built by C. M. Clute in 1875 at a cost of $1050, repaired in 1899, and made standard in 1913. Later the windows and the chimney were changed to meet the requirements of the Sanitation Law. After the district joined the El Paso Unit District, a farewell homecoming was held at the school on June 6, 1948. This event was attended by more than four hundred. Grand View School (7) No. 234 Although the district was laid out in 1862, the present building was erected in 1873 at the southeast corner of Section 1 and was known as No. 7 for sometime. However the neatly, painted house on the level prairie sug- gested the name. Grand View. Prior to 1873 there was a large corral on the school site where the cattle of the community were collected. During SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 215 the day a boy herded them on the prairie, dipped water for them from a curbed well to the north, and returned them to the corral in the evening. A small frame house was built in 1862, one-half mile to the south, and called Stokes School for B. Stokes who lived near. From this interesting school and community center many students have gone forth to worthwhile achieve- ment. Due to alert and cooperative directors the house has been modernized and well equipped and this was the first school in Gridley Township to meet the Standard Requirements (1911). They have had many excellent teachers, Agnes O'Malley who began there in 1921 and remained until 1945, deserves special mention. The enrollments have been more than those of the average school, but the school has recently been closed and the pupils are being transported to Gridley. A big homecoming was held in 1948 GRANDVIEW SCHOOL, District No. 234. Agnes O'Malhy, teacher, 192I-I945. Gregory School (2) No. 235 A schoolhouse was built near the west side of Section 32 in the late 1850s. Located south of the Fort Clark road, this building burned in 1879, was rebuilt and burned again in 1893. The new site on the Fort Clark road near the center of Section 32 northwest of the Buck Creek Church was 216 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS donated by John Gregory Sr. Ihe school constructed there in 1894 was stand- ardized in 1911. In early times pupils from this district attended the Coon Bridge School or the Log School at Clarkville. The district became a part of the Gridley Consolidation in 1948. Buck Creek School (1) No. 236 A frame building on boulders, located in the late 1850s in the southwest corner of the northeast forty acres of Section 34 south of the bend of Buck Creek, was the first school in East Gridley. The Log School at Clarksville was then abandoned and pupils from that timbered section came out to this school on the prairie. In the next few years for some reason the timber pupils and the prairie children had many clashes, until the timber group was with- drawn when the Olive Branch District was organized in 1877. In 1888 the recent site one-half mile northwest on the west side of the road was selected as being more nearly the center of the district. Here a new schoolhouse was built. For the early school, water was obtained at Stretch Spring on the creek east of the school, and later at Gilmore Spring on a west branch of the creek. Difficulty was experienced in obtaining water at the new site. After a well was drilled two hundred and ten feet down ^t a cost of $500, the water was not fit to use and trips were made to the old spring. A vote was then taken to move the school near a spring in the Davis pasture. Failing to obtain the permission to move they put down another well twenty-eight feet with satisfactory results. The water question was settled! The school was standardized in 1912, remodeled and modernized in 1929. It was one of the best equipped rural schools in the County. The district was divided between Gridley Consolidated District and the Lexington Unit in 1948. The building was purchased by Bill Klein and redecorated for future homecomings. Freed School (4) No. 237 When the district was organized in the early 1860s, a house was built on the open prairie on the northeast corner of Section 21. The schoolhouse was moved in 1878 to a site on the west side two miles south of Gridley. It was made standard in 1914. A new brick veneer building erected in 1915 was the first modern rural school building in Gridley Township. It was named for the Freed Family who lived in this neighborhood. The district con- solidated with Gridley and the house and grounds were sold to the Gridley Legion to be used as a recreation center. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 217 FRKED SC:H0C)L, new in 1915. John Anderson, t<.,(h(t. Four Corners School (6) No. 238 This district was organized in 1868 from Districts No. 4, now 237, and No. 7, now 234. A schoolhousc was built on the northeast corner of the N.W. Y^ of Section 19. In 1925 a new modern building was erected there at a cost of $5000, because it was located at a crossroads it was called Four Corners School. This district merged with Gridley in 1948. Prairie Valley School (3) No. 240 After this district was organized in the early 1860s, a frame building was erected on the south side a half mile west of the recent location. The school- housc was moved in 1883 to the site at the southwest corner of Section 1. and has been remodeled and kept in excellent condition. For sometime it was called Yergler School for Jacob Yerglcr who lived across to the south- west, but later the location which was low and level suggested the name Prairie Valley. The district had lost only eighty acres of its original six and one-half sections when it was absorbed by the Gridley Consolidation in 1948. CHENG A TOWNSHIP 26N-4E Chcnoa Township on the northern border of McLean County is all rolling prairie with no timber areas. Though there is no large stream running through the Township, the rich soil drains well. Coming late here as they 218 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS did in other open prairie sections, the Township's settlements and agricultural development began in 1856. The building of the Chicago and Alton Rail- road in 1854 and later the crossing of the Toledo, Peoria and Western Rail- road laid the foundation for the rapidly growing village of Chenoa. The railroads assured available markets and elevators necessary for a prosperous and happy agricultural community. Chenoa Schools (1) No. 249 Chenoa District comprising six sections was organized about 1858, but the two west sections were detached in 1867 for Bauman District. The first settlement in the new village of Peoria Junction was made in 1854. When the town was platted in 1856, it was named Chenoa, an Indian word meaning a white dove. In 1856 a subscription school of one hundred and eighteen pupils was taught by Miss Mary A. Clapp in a building on Lot 6, Block 3 of Scott's First Addition and the next year a man and his wife conducted a similar school in a hall. Judge Sample and Martin Shephard were the first teachers in the district's two-room frame school built in 1858. The new- building erected on the present site in 1866 at a cost of $26,000 housed an enrollment of two hundred and seventy-five under the first superintendent, W. J. Glover. John A. Miller became superintendent in 1873 and remained in that position until 1881 when he was appointed County Superintendent of Schools of McLean County. The new schoolhouse was sixty-six feet square, three stories high, with a basement, and a belfry with a cupola. There were two large classrooms on each of the first two floors with a large room and two small ones on the third floor. Two more rooms were added in 1884, and six teachers were employed. The first class graduated from the high school in 1881. At the time of the first class clcctives were offered in the high school, including astronomy, mental and moral philosophy, Latin, Greek, and French. The textbooks used in 1878 were: Independent Readers, Monteith's Geography, White's Arithmetic, Ray's Algebra, Greenleaf's Geometry, Tenney's Natural History, Brown's Physiology, Gooley's Philosophy, Steel's Geology, Gray's Botany. Kiddle's Astronomy, and Scott's United States History. The present modern brick building was erected in 1911 at a cost of $40,000. After the Chenoa Community High School was organized in Febru- ary 1920, the school again became overcrowded. A temporary building was placed on a lot to the east in 1932 for the use of the Commerce Department, and another building northwest of the park had previously been fitted up for physical education. It also served as a place for community meetings. The basement of a church across to the west was used for band Instruction. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 219 CoMMLNiTY High School District No. 390 In 1937 the Community High School District voted to build and to issue bonds at 6^r for $65,000. With the income from the bonds, cash on hand, and a government grant of $63,000, the new building was completed at a cost of $167,000, and the high school in its new location is the pride of the community. The elementary school with increased enrollment and expanded program fully occupies the old building. It received the Superior Rating from the state office. Ten rural schools in McLean and several in Livingston County joined Chenoa in January, 1949 to form Community L^nit District No. 9. Payne School (5) No. 241 After the district was organized in 1866, the recent house was built in 1867 on the north side of Section 31 on a site donated by Dr. Seldon M. Payne. Always kept in excellent condition, this building was remodeled in I9I9 to meet the recjuirements of the Sanitation Law. Known to many as Payne Collenc, it has been an interesting, well equipped school. The district joined the Lexington Unit in 1948. Ballard School (3) No. 242 A well constructed schoolhouse was built in 186,5 on the northwest corner about a mile west of the recent site. For many years a group of Methodists held church services there. In 1867 thr district lost Sections 19 and 20 to the new Enterprise District, but in 1883 two half sections were added on the east from Trimmer District. In a short time the school was moved to the recent location .west of the road near the southeast corner of Section 28 which was the center of the district. Without delay the Methodists erected a church on the former school site calling it Olivet Chapel. However this church was soon abandoned, sold, and converted into a farm residence. Made standard in 1912, the school has since been remodeled and fairly well equipped. Of recent years it has been modernized with a deep well and a garage for the teacher's car. The district was divided between Lexington and Chenoa Unit Districts in 1948. Ballard Station nearby sug- gested the name Ballard School. Trimmer School (4) No. 243 This district consisting of six sections was organized in 1866. The school site was on the land of N. Trimmer a half mile west of the recent location, so it has been called Trimmer School through the years. After sometime two .sections were detached from the west side and the school was moved in 1884 to the center of the district at the southeast corner of Section 26. The Salem Methodists held Sunday school and church in the schoolhouse for 220 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS many years before they built a church in the southeast corner of the district. The school building has been remodeled, modernized, and kept in good con- dition. The equipment is very good, but the enrollment has been falling off as it has in many other rural schools. The district was absorbed by the Chenoa Unit in 1949. Maple Tree School (7) No, 245 When this district was organized as No. 7 in 1866, the recent site two miles south of Chenoa was selected and a neat frame building was erected in 1867. For sometime it was known as No. 7 School. As the years passed, some good citizen took time to plant a small tree on the school grounds. Play- ful boys and girls did not harm it and in a short time it was a growing sapling, adorning the landscape. Someone exclaimed, "This is the Maple Tree School!" and the name lingered. The many sturdy families of this district are responsible for the interesting and well kept school. Of recent times the enrollment has been small. The district was included in the Chenoa Unit in 1949. Center School (6) No. 245 Although, Center District, No. 6, was laid out in 1866, it was not until 1871 that the school was built on the southeast corner of Section 16. In a few years the directors aware of the need for more playground purchased another acre just west of the school. It was only natural to call this Center School and McLean County had eight more schools which earned the same ENTERPRISE SCHOOL, District No. 246, HKil. Ella Ruth Egh teacher. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 221 title under similar conditions. Standardized in 1-913, this schoolhouse has been kept up in a very worthy manner. It became a part of the Chenoa Unit in 1949. Enterprise School (8) No. 246 This district was organized in 1867 and a substantial frame building was erected at the northeast corner of Section 19. The two north sections were detached from Meadows District and the two south sections from Ballard District extending to the west at that time. Many land owners have donated school sites, but those in this district, evidently, did not feel that the school was necessary. Twenty-five dollars would have been a fair price, but two hundred was the amount paid for the two acres, making it a real Enterprise. The first school in the Township to be improved and standardized, it was well maintained, modern, and well equipped for a rural school. The building burned on December 7, 1947, and the district later divided between the Lexington and Chenoa Unit Districts. Meadows School (2) No. 247 District No. 2, as organized in 1866, included eight sections in the north- western part of the Township. Since the flag station on the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad was known as Meadows Switch, a frame schoolhouse located a mile and a quarter east of the station was called Meadows School. At that time the school had no desks, only benches for the fifty-five pupils who crowded the room. The school directors were C. H. Willburger, Joel Hicks, and Will Ballinger. In 1868 the schoolhouse was moved three-quarters of a mile west to a site of one and one-half acres donated by Mr. Willburger and was known as the Willburger School. Mennonites began Sunday school in the schoolhouse in 1874 and later organized a church. Although the village of Meadows was platted in 1877, it showed no real growth in population until after 1893 when the Meadows factory of corn elevators began to expand. The Meadows Manufacturing company later moved to Pontiac, then to Bloomington, but at that time homes were built in Meadows for the factory workmen. In 1909 the school became crowded and the present two room concrete block building was erected. Two teachers were employed until 1940 in the modern, well-equipped schoolhouse. After that, because of the greatly reduced enrollment, only one teacher was em- ployed, and later the district merged with the Chenoa Unit. The name of a family owning land near the school and station suggested the name. Meadows, and not the beautiful, level, prairie land. Grades one to six are now taught there. 222 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS BAUMAN SCHOOL, District No. 247, 1917, Wanda Neher, teacher; County Superintendent of Scho ols B. C. Moore, visiting. Bauman School (9) No. 248 Platted in 1868 from territory detached from Meadows and Chenoa Districts, this district was numbered 9 for it was the last in the Township to organize. The site at the northeast corner of Section 9 two miles west of Chenoa was donated by Joel Hicks and called Hicks School, but the name was changed when Bauman brothers later owned the Hicks farm. The school was kept in good condition and improved by the addition of a kitchen and indoor toilets. Its many sturdy citizens made this a very good community center. The district was included in the Chenoa Unit District. YATES TOWNSHIP 26N-5E Chenoa Township was divided in 1863 forming a new township in the northeast corner of the County, which was named Union. It was discovered that another township in the state had that name, so the Township was then named Yates for the governor. Since there was no timber in this area, it was not subject to early settlement, but after 1856 there was a general rush for the farms in this section of the County. The contour of the land is rather flat, although most of it is rolling enough for drainage. The soil is very fertile. Rooks Creek and its branches cross the Township and a drainage system of recent years has deepened some of the waterways. In 1863 three SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 223 hundred twenty-three acres of the 16th section were sold at $6.82 per acre, ninety-eight acres were sold in 1876 at $25 per acre, and two hundred and forty acres of this school section remained unsold. The large Township School Fund, thus provided, is a real aid to its school districts. The village of Weston was platted in 1866, when a side track at a water tank two miles east was moved to this location. This town afforded an ex- cellent grain market and trading center for the farm community, but like many another small village, Weston has been on the decline for some time. For many years the citizens of this Township conducted a "Community Fair" which was a credit to the management and of real interest to surrounding areas. Weston School (6, 2) No. 257 In 1868 three sections were detached from the north end of Center District, including the newly platted village of Weston, and organized as Dis- trict No. 6. A one-room school was located in Lot 20 west of the park. (Lots 17, 18, 19 and 20 have since been turned back into farm land.) The enroll- ment of this school reached more than fifty. A new site w-as selected in 1881 where the present two-room school was then erected. For the next forty years the directors were generally fortunate in obtain- ing two very good teachers for each succeeding term, and new equipment was added as needed to meet the growing demands of an age of school im- provement. In 1922 the School Board decided to put in a high school course of one year and since this was non-high territory all the expenses would be paid by the non-high district. This plan appeared to be a convenience for the local young people, so a third teacher was employed and a group of students showed up the first day. Unfortunately, the teacher failed to interest and hold the students, and in a few weeks the project was abandoned. With the falling off of enrollment by 1923, only one elementary classroom was used and they have continued as a one-teacher school. Often the enrollment of the school was rather large for a single teacher, yet some of the interested and better trained ones did excellent work in the classroom and were of real value to the social welfare of the community. The directors continue to improve the building and grounds with new equipment and necessary repairs. Again with attendance increasing each year, it was decided in 1945 to go back to the two-teacher system. The district joined the Chenoa Unit in 1949. Grades one to six are now taught there. 224 McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS Grays School (9) No. 250 In 1864 a school was erected a half mile east of the present location on the south side. District No. 4 included ten sections at that time. Prior to the organization of nearby districts the school began to be overcrowded, so four section were detached on the east side in 1868 for Cottonwood School and two sections in 1870 for Ogle School. Moved to the present site at the southeast corner of Section 30 in 1873, the schoolhouse was called Grays School for many years, for John Gray who owned the farm on which it stood. The house burned in February, 1913 and the present one was built. The schoolhouse was remodeled in 1918 and has been modernized since then. Although, the enrollment has been small of recent years, the directors have provided good teachers and all the needed equipment. The district merged with Chenoa in 1949. Cottonwood School (7, 8) No. 251 District No. 7 was organized in 1868 by detaching four sections from District No. 4 to the west. A building was completed and school opened on December 1st with Mrs. Eames as the teacher. She had six children of her own and resided in the district. Cottonwood twigs were set around the farm on this corner and those on the school site at the southeast corner of Section 28 were allowed to remain to become large trees. Thus the name, Cottonwood School originated and it has held through the years. W. D. Castle moved here in 1867 when there were no roads or bridges between this place and Chenoa. He attended the school until he was twenty-three. Often there were as many as fifty pupils enrolled in the school. The house was remodeled in 1917. In 1939 the school closed having only three pupils. The building had been recently repaired and the school fully recognized. The district became a part of the Chenoa Unit. Beulah School (7) No. 252 District No. 5 was organized in 1866, consisting of eight sections, and a school was built on the north side of the road a mile north and a half mile east of the recent site. The ground in the center of the district was too low to furnish a good place to build. Pupils from the north had much difficulty in reaching this school, which was called Liberty. Because of bad roads and high water, in 1871 the district was divided and a building was erected on the present site at the southeast corner of Section 26. It v^as now numbered 7 and for many years called No. 7 School, but later called Beulah for the church which stood across the road to the east. Ira Miller, a brother of County Superintendent John A. Miller was the first teacher in the new school. The schoolhouse was standardized in 1913, but became dilapidated and was SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 225 repaired and modernized in 1937. Before Beulah Church was built, meetings were held in the schoolhouse. In 1950 this district joined the Fairbury Unit District No. 3. G.XRBER SCHOOL, District No. 2.o3, 1935. Thr "pioneers". Chris- tine Goold, teacher. Garber School (6) No. 253 When District No. 5 was divided in 1871, the north four sections were organized as District No. 6 and the house was built on the recent site in the northeast corner of Section 23. For some time the school was known as Old No. 6, but of recent years it has been called Garber School for Peter Garber who lived west of the school. In the modern and well-equipped schoolhouse, the district has had an excellent school and a fine community center. They became a part of the Fairbury Unit in 1950. Center School (2, 5) No. 254 In 1863 this district, consisting of eight sections, located a small frame house at the southwest corner to the north of the recent location and then the center of the district. In 1868 three sections were detached for the new Weston District and No. 5 was assigned to this district. The later site on the east side eighty rods north of the center of the Township was leased in 1876, where a well-constructed house was erected. This house was remodeled to meet state requirements and made standard in 1913. It was being fajrly McLEAN COUNTY AND ITS SCHOOLS 226 well maintained with an interesting school and community activities, when it burned on December 20, 1928, just as they were almost ready for the Christmas entertainment. The new, modern school, one of the best rural school buildings in the County, was ready for the next fall term. The school has been supported by a community with some very substantial and progres- sive patrons. In 1939 the school was given the Superior Rating. It merged with the Chenoa Unit. The building is now used for grades one to six. CENTER SCHOOL, District No. 254, 1930. Leola Ploense, teacher. Ogle School (8, 4) No. 255 District No. 8 was platted in 1870, and the recent house was built in 1872 at the northeast corner of Section 19. The same year David Ogle, a Scotchman by birth who had become wealthy and had no family, decided to give to the community were he made his fortune, so when the school was being erected he set aside a fund for the schools of Yates Township. It was very appropriate to name the school for such a worthy citizen. A good school was maintained, with many neighborhood interests and meetings. The school was made standard in 1917, and some years later an addition was built on the west side for toilets and a garage for the teacher's car. Enrollment began to decline, so it was decided to close the school and to transport the children, three pupils that year, to other schools. This district was included in the Chenoa Unit. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 227 Brady School (3) No. 256 The recent schoolhouse was built in 1864 three-quarters of a mile south of the recent site on the west side of the road south of the creek, near the center of the district. Two sections were detached in 1870 for Ogle District and the recent site was obtained in 1873, so the building was moved north to the southeast corner of Section 6. James Brady, a member of the first Board of Directors, was active in getting the school district started, so it has always been called Brady School. Often enrollments were very large and although the building is small, it is comfortable. The school is rather poorly equipped and is showing the results of years of usage, but it has had an interesting role in the training of boys and girls for more than eighty years. It is a good example of the small building erected in early days. The district joined the Chenoa Unit in 1949. Number One School (1) No. 258 This district was organized as District No. 1 in 1866. Instead of being assigned the highest consecutive number in the County, it could have kept No. 1, had it been in the opposite corner of the County when the County Superintendent renumbered the districts. The present house, built in 1869, has been maintained in good condition. After being remodeled in 1918, the school was later made standard. With a cooperative community the school has had excellent support, with many social activities for the district. Many very good teachers have served at this school. Feme Orendorff has a recora of service from 1928 to 1940. The district joined the Fairbury Unit in 1950. SCHOOLS IN McLEAN COUNTY 229 School Officials McLean County School Commissioners William Durley 1831-1834 Jesse W. Fell 1834-1836 Cheney Thomas 1836-1841 William H. Hodge March-December 1841 James B. Price 1841-1849 John M. Scott 1849-1852 C. P. Merriman 1852-1857 Daniel Wilkins 1857-1867 County Superintendents Daniel Wilkins * 1867-1869 John Hull 1869-1875 William Hawley Smith 1875-1881 John A. Miller 1881-1894 John S. Wren 1894-1906 B. C. Moore 1906-1923 Nettie B. Dement 1923-1927 William B. Brigham 1927-1943 Ralph F. Arends 1943- Note: Daniel Wilkins reported September 1865, as School Commissioner. He reported in Sep- tember 1867, as County Superintendent of Schools. 116 117 Plea, ; Valley 118 ExMlsior 120 Brush College 121 Hillsdale 122 Com Valley 123 White Hall Map of McLEAN COUNTY ILLINOIS North Danvers Twp. IM Pl«a:jant Ridge Dili Slrubliar 1S« Collage Grove DawMn TuwNahip lull yiUll!|>UiHU Unv Oak IK IVnUr lUJ WhiU- 104 Bentown 105 Kairtown 106 Lone Sur Uowiu Township ■£.1 Adrian ■n South Downs 25 Lafferty 26 Covey 27 Frog Pond 28 Macedonia 2S Rutledge :iu Pleasant Hill :12 Diamond Cn>ve :a Hall Do Grove Township 134 West Twin Grove 125 Munsell i:!6 Belvidere l:!7 Center 13S Dry Grove l:)9 Grant 140 Crescent 142 Garfield Township d4 New Enterprise :;5 Sterling ^6 Empire ;;T Bornett i8 Hickory 41 West Cnjmbaugh 42 Brittin 43 Bishop Funk's Gn>vc Township 8 Lake 9 Longworth 10 Tile Factor>' 262 Fremont Gridley Township 234 Grand View 235 Gregory 236 Bock Creek 237 Freed 238 Four Comers 240 Prairie Valley West Gridley Township 230 Pleasant View 231 Prairie College 232 Fishbum Hudson Township 1114 Kaufman 195 Herring 196 Skinner 199 Holder 200 Oneida 201 Union 202 Pleas -V -1-7 Lanndale Township 2ly Evergnjen 220 Hawthorne 221 Wilson 222 Liberty 22:1 Lawndale Center 224 Leonard 225 Lawndale 226 Buckeye 227 Maple Lexington Township 210 Popejov 211 Homey 212 Adams 213 Mt. GUead 214 Pleasant Hill 216 Cross Roads 217 Crumbaker 218 Prairie Hall Martin Township 169 Centennial 170 Ritter 171 Springer 172 McClure 173 Martin Center 174 Bunn 175 Franklin 176 Wiley Money Crc«k Township 203 Bishop 204 Frog Alley 205 Hefner 206 Trimmer 207 WUcox -208 Olive Branch 209 Franklin Mt. Hope Township 2 Mt- Hope 3 New Kentucky' 4 Habbit Hill 5 Funk-Siubblefield 7 Trott Xonnal Township . 144 Rose Hii! 145 King 146 Grove Little Red ■ 148 Pickett 149 West Point 150 Harmon " 151 Six Mile Old Town Township 91 Hendryx 92 Whitecomb 93 Sheepeye 94 Ireland Grove 95 Holder 96 Mt. Prospect 57 Prairie L'nion > 260 GiUum Randolph Township 14 Fairview 15 Short Point 17 Morgan 18 Lytleville 19 C*nter 20 Bloomingdak 21 Pleasant Valley 22 Sparta Towandn Township I 152 Barnes 153 Ballard 154 Mema » 155 Phoenix • 156 Smith's Grove 157 Burfield West Township 44 Hamilton 45 Rosencrans 46 Kumler 47 Kimler 48 Griziell 49 Mt. Olive 50 East Cnimbaugh 51 Dockum 52 Salt Creek 53 White Star 54 Love White Oak Township 190 Crown Point 191 Denman 192 Maple Grove 193 White Oak Yates Township 250 Gray 251 Cottonwood 252 Beulah 253 Garber 254 Yates Center 255 Ogle 256 Brady 257 WeAon 258 Number One O U N ^ / PIATT COUNTY | J t O UNIVERSITY OF .LUNmS-URBANA SVtWf MCLEAN cSffiv AND ITS SCHOO "ni 12 Q25306942