BARAGA COUNTY

Historic School Building (1860's-1950's)  & St. Joseph Orphanage & School

Ruins of St. Joseph Orphanage & School - Assinins

LOCATION:  Assininis Historic Mission Complex, 14808 Assinins Road, Assinins

(on US-41 about 2.5 miles north of the village of Baraga)

Current Use:  Gift Shop. 

This school building is located within the Mission Complex which also includes the ruins of the St. Joseph Orphanage & School (circa 1860)

Pelkie Grade School (built 1909-1932)

Antique Horse-Drawn School Bus

LOCATION:  15009 Pelkie Road, Pelkie

DIRECTIONS:  From the US-41 and M-38 junction in Baraga, travel west on M-38 about 6.8 miles to Pelkie Road.  Turn right onto Pelkie Road and drive about 3.5 miles (passing through the community of Pelkie) until you see the Historic Pelkie Grade School on the right side of the road at the corner of Pelkie Road and Mantila Road.

Current Use:  Museum - In 1979, the Sturgeon Valley Historical Society began restoration of the schoolhouse. What is really makes this school grounds special is the display of a unique antique – a horse-drawn school bus!  The grounds also include “His” and “Hers” outhouses.   It was designated a Michigan Historic Site in 1980.  

Pair of Schoolhouses in Alberta

     

LOCATION:  Alberta Village Museum, 21235 Alberta Avenue (aka Old US Highway 41) in L'Anse Township (west side of US-41 in Alberta)

Current Use:  Museum

Henry Ford wanted to create a planned community that offered workers an affordable and pleasant place to live.  Among the original buildings in the town was a pair of one-room schools (one school was for students up to the fourth grade and the other school was for students up to the eighth grade).  In 1954, the Ford Motor Company donated the town, saw mill, and the surrounding timber lands to Michigan Technological University for use in its growing Forestry program.  The grounds are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (spring-fall).

Pair of Schoolhouses in Pequaming

  

LOCATION: 13789 Ford Drive, Pequaming in L’Anse Township

Current Use: Privately Owned

In 1923, Ford bought the struggling town of Pequaming and turned it into a model town (like Alberta). The Ford Motor Company sold Pequaming in 1952. Pequaming has a few residents but is considered a ghost town.

Ryland(er) School (1885)

     

LOCATION: 22808 Lower Skanee Road in Arvon Township

Current Use: Private Residence  

Watton School

LOCATION: Northwest corner of Pirkola Road and Korpi Road in Section 19, Covington Township

Current Use: Privately Owned

I spoke with the long-time resident across the street from this school. He only remembered they called it the Watton School but not much more. He said the current owner has done some structural work on the exterior.

Covington School (1938)

LOCATION: 13299 School Road, Covington

Current Use: UP Artists Market

This was a two-room school.