One Room Schoolhouses in Caledonia, Michigan ~ April 8, 2021

Caledonia has two one-room schoolhouses so I am including both of them in this post. The DeTray School at 4011 100th Street is the more interesting building (1887), even having its own outhouse (unknown if it's an original part of the school).

The tree swallows were busy in the bell tower today.

We could not get inside nor could we see through any windows, except through the one pane that was broken out.

Just a few miles away is the Barber School, opened in 1839. It was the first school in Caledonia Township (find it between Maple, Kinsey, and South Streets).

It was moved to this location in 1994 and has an old blacksmith shop as a neighbor.

There is no visibility into the school but there are no broken windows either. Caledonia is worth the drive if you'd like to see two one-room schoolhouses preserved from the 1800s.

No. 2 Tollgate House, 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos MI

Plank roads were popular all over the U.S., beginning in the 1840s. But by the late 1850s, it was all over. A plank road between Lansing and Howell was opened around 1852 and originally had seven tollgates. This one was built around 1850 and is the only one remaining in Michigan. We visited it a few months ago.

It was moved from its original location in the 1970s, a bit of plank road history preserved.

These last three photos are from April 15, 2021. Here's to learning about history wherever you can!

 

Pickle Barrel House ~ Grand Marais MI

Once upon a time there was an author/cartoonist named William Donahey who created the Teenie Weenies, a cartoon featured in the Chicago Tribune. Donahey lent his creation to a food company that sold pickles and had an ad that included the Teenie Weenies living in a small pickle keg.

This pickle barrel house was built in 1926 for Donahey and his wife, Mary (who was also an author) and they used it as a summer cottage for about 10 years. After that it was sold, moved, used as an ice cream stand, information kiosk, and gift shop, and subsequently fell into disrepair. The Grand Marais Historical Society later took possession, restored it, and opened it as a museum around 2005.

We took a tour a few years ago and here are a few photos from that. 

It's another fun little piece of Michigan history.

The Roadside Table Historic Site ~ 6895-6973 Grand River Avenue, Saranac MI

Back in 1929, a man named Allan Williams built a table out of salvaged wood and placed it here for travelers. Some say it was the state's and/or nation's, first roadside table. This place was a cool find but alas, there is currently not a table here. The pull-off area is also on the edge of a gully and seems to be an ill advised place to let your children out of the car to run around.

Any exploration is discouraged.

Nonetheless, if we see a historic marker, you can be sure we will pull over to check it out, even if there's not a table at which to sit 😉 

Sessions School and Alonzo Sessions' Gravesite ~ Saranac & Ionia, MI

The school (2999 W. Riverside Dr, Saranac) was built by Alonzo Sessions in 1847. Its claim to fame is made somewhat tentatively by this plaque.

Missing an 's'

The building is really cool to see. Unfortunately, you cannot see through the three existing windows nor can you gain entry. But it's still worth a visit.

The school was closed in 1898 and a larger school was built across the street. This newer school is currently owned by the Ionia County Sheriff's office and there is no getting near it.

The 'Posse' is an all-volunteer auxiliary support unit that assists with security and traffic control at special events and I guess they hang out here and practice with firearms. We thought it best not to trespass 😊.

The builder of the 1847 school, Alonzo Sessions, was born in New York in 1810 and moved to Ionia in 1835. He married Celia Dexter, the daughter of the founder of Ionia, Samuel Dexter. Alonzo and Celia now rest peacefully together in Highland Park Cemetery in Ionia. They might be surprised that people still drive from all over to look at the old school.