One-Room Schoolhouses
Return to Historical SitesRAY TOWNSHIP ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSES
Functioning one-room schools dotted the landscape of rural areas for most of the 19th and 20th centuries. With multiple ages and grades being taught in one room, these schools were definitely unique compared to today’s modern learning environments. Schoolhouses also often served as a central location for many rural town activities, meetings, picnics, etc., so their structures were heavily relied on.
In some areas of the world, including the United States, a few one-room schools continue to operate today. Most of these buildings however, have been demolished or are being used for other purposes. Here in Ray Township, eight one-room schools once existed within our borders. Today, we are fortunate to say that the majority of these buildings are still around. Some are now private residences, one serves as a church, one functions as the Ray Township Library. Others are no longer standing or would require extensive restoration in order to become a functioning structure.
The Ray Township Historical Society compiled the following Ray Township one-room schoolhouse summary based on information we hold in our archive. This is a living summary and hope that many who may have attended, taught at or just have recollections about the schools will provide us with information that we can add to the summary to make them more complete.
We hope that you will share in our enthusiasm for history and the extraordinary way in which education was provided to children through these distinctive buildings. If you would like to comment or provide further information, please contact us at info@rayhistory.org.