Saturday, September 24, 2016

VAN BUREN COUNTY

West Brick School District No. 6 (1871-1960)
West Brick School and Plaque
LOCATION:  Corner of CR 378 (aka 30th Ave) and 69th Street in Bangor Township
Current Use:  The West Brick School Alumni (a non-profit group) is working to preserve this school.  This is a labor of love and donations are always appreciated.  Thank you to Catherine Green (President of the Alumni Group) for sharing information about this school.  When completed, the renovated school will be used as a community center/museum.

Wood School #6 (1869 to Present Day)
LOCATION:  Northwest corner of 66th Street and CR 378 (aka 30th Ave) in Bangor Township
The approximate address for this school is 29884 66th St or 66029 30th Ave depending on which street you use to enter the school grounds.   When I Googled “Wood School, Bangor Township Michigan” the search results showed the Wood School address as 35594 66th St, Bangor.  This incorrect address is about 1.5 miles south of its true location. 

This is one of a handful of still active one-room schools in Michigan.  I have been told by several different sources that there is a waiting list to attend this school.
Current Use:  Active One-Room School

Evergreen District No 7 School (early 1860’s - ?)
Evergreen School and Bell Tower
LOCATION:  Bloomingdale Depot Museum, 108 Van Buren St, Bloomingdale

The Evergreen School was originally located at the intersection of CR 380 and 44th Street in Section 31 of Bloomingdale Township.  In 2012, the Bloomingdale Area Historical Association had the school moved to the Village of Bloomingdale on the Depot Museum property (school is on Spring Street off Van Buren Street).   Like any project, the completion of this restoration is dependent upon available funding.
Current Use:  The local historical society has plans to create a historic village which will include the school.

Ackley (#7f) School (?? – 1997)
LOCATION:  Corner of CR-380 (aka 28th St) and CR-681 (aka 58th St) in Geneva Township
Approximate address is 20100 CR-681.
Current Use:  Private Residence

Geneva Center (#6f) School
LOCATION:  Northwest corner of CR-384 (12th St) and 64th St in Geneva Township
Current Use:  Private Property

Jericho School (1882-1895)
LOCATION:  Intersection of CR-380 (aka 28th St) and M-43 in Geneva Township
Current Use:  Party Store

Riverside District No 8 School of Geneva (1903)
 Riverside School and Plaque
LOCATION11900 68th St in Geneva Township
Northwest corner of CR-384 (aka 12th St) and 68th St
Current Use:  Privately Owned