A postcard from 1910, showing the restoration.
In 1818, half a century before the advent of public schools in this area, a small community of primarily Mennonite families contributed their labor and money to building this one room schoolhouse and hiring a teacher.
The schoolhouse as it looks today.
They chose an octagonal plan - at the time a popular architectural concept - because it provided one wall and window for each of the six grades, another for the teacher opposite one for the door. The students sat on benches facing table-like desks against the wall with their backs to the warmth of a small wood-burning stove. As the teacher would address a class, those students would turn around to face the center.
Close up of the school.
The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse was used as a school between 1818 and 1864. As the population of the area grew during the mid-1800s, the school eventually became too small, and it closed in 1864 when students were reallocated to other nearby schools.
Close up of the marker by the front door.
The backside of the schoolhouse - it looks like every side except the front - I wonder why that it? :)
The view up Diamond Rock Road.
I used to work in the The Great Valley Corporate Center and this was the road I normally drove home on. It's been a long time - and I still miss the drive - and the job I had "down that way", where I worked with a bunch of wonderful and talented people.
The Friends of the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse site is (here)
15 comments:
We have one octagon house in our area- it's really quite large...
Nice story Iggy. I never knew about this historical gem in our own back yard.
I loved these pics. That old schoolhouse has been kept in great shape over the years. We don't have anything like that up this way, that I know of. The way the students were seated sounded different but sure made sense.
That last pic, of Diamond Rock Road, looks like a lot of the roads I travel on in my neck of the woods. Beautiful area you have there. Thanks for sharing your pics.
Have a great Sunday. *hugs*
That is so cool Ig. You always get me wondering about what kind of historic treasures might be right here in my town that I haven't discovered. Someday I'm going to take the time to do some research and visit some of those places! So very interesting!
Have a great Sunday :-)
How lovely!!! Thanks for taking me along for the ride today!
is the schoolhouse opened at times so people can go in and take a look at it? I found it interesting that the kids would turn their desks to face the teacher when it was their turn to be taught by her. good way to minimize the distractions that could occur teaching multi classes and a wide variety of ages and abilities. those teachers had to be very gifted in keeping up with the students and their work, even if it was just a "handful" of students. very fascinating history, Iggy; and as always, you really do live in such a beautiful part of the country!
betty
What a neat school house. I can almost pictures kids going to school there carrying their lunch in pails in one hand and their slate in the other. Love the story. Thanks.
That is a wonderful piece of history. I can imagine children sitting there learning, boys in pants with suspenders and girls in long dresses, hair in braids. And such a scenic drive. I can see why you would miss it.
i used to live in an octagon apt building..my bathroom was shaped like a slice of pie..but it had a bidet so i didn't care.
i love these little history lessons and that school house is mucho cute0
What a brilliant concept-octagon-windows for each grade. The windows would help provide light for them to work by, the teacher could walk around the center stove and see over everyone's shoulders, the grades could be together, and she could keep a watchful eye on them all from her desk at the one end. Brilliant!
I love this little building! Just love it!! I'd definitely want to see it in person if I lived out that way. You find the most interesting spots, Iggy! :):)
love love love your history posts especially when you add old photos :)
is the little schoolhouse used for anything now?
x
I wonder what it looks like INSIDE! And I do wonder how many people that tiny structure could hold at one time.
Interesting post, and nice story! :)
I loved this post, I always love the before and after pictures thanks so much for sharing :o)
It almost looks like the hogans we just saw last week in Arizona!
I think kids were better educated in those old one roomers. I do.
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