The first schoolhouse in the village was built beyond Chas. J.
Bartlett’s barn, toward the cemetery. It was later moved near the Chas.
E. Stevens place, thence by Gorham Hamilton to the Damon place, thence
across the street to the land of the late Benj. Fogg. It passed through
several hands and was later bought by H. H. Grant and torn down.
This building was followed by a white schoolhouse, upon land purchased
from Daniel Whitmore. That was burned and a brick one was erected upon
the same lot. This in time was also consumed by fire. A two-story
building was built upon the same site. This was afterward sold to Eli
E. York, who later sold it to the Masonic Fraternity, Star in the West
Lodge, No. 85. It has been enlarged and remodeled into the present fine
hall.
In 1898 the town purchased one acre of land from James R. Taber for
$125.00 and built the present school building. The basement was built
by Mr. Joseph Brown of Benton Station, costing $428.92. The house was
built by Joseph Sawyer of Fairfield at a cost of $2195.00. The building
committee consisted of J. R. Taber, L. H. Mosher and N. C. Knight, the
plan being drawn by J. R. Taber.
In the sixties there were thirteen schoolhouses in town, to wit: