Deer Park Bicentennial: Throwback Thursday | The Pioneer School
Hundreds of local citizens pass by the large brick school buildings on Galbraith and Plainfield Roads every day; and inside, hundreds of students fill the classrooms, but few of these people know of the interesting journey this district has taken or of its humble beginnings 200 years ago.
As Deer Park Schools approaches its bicentennial celebration, the history and moments of our schools will be shared weekly in the “Throwback Thursday” posts. We hope that over the next several months you enjoy learning about the district’s history or reminiscing about your own school days in “The Park.”
The Pioneer School
Around 1797, pioneer Daniel Schenck came by flatboat from New Jersey to this part of the Ohio Country. (4) He brought his family to the area then known as Deer Lick. Pioneers found this to be a rich hunting ground because of the deer and other game that came to drink from the nearby salt rock spring. He saw the land was good for farming and purchased several hundred acres. The typical price paid for land at the time was $2 an acre. He was one of the first pioneers to the area, but the fertile land soon brought many others looking to improve their lives. (1)
When the state of Ohio granted the authority for schools to be established in 1825, Schenck saw the need for a school to teach the local children. In 1826, he called a meeting of his neighbors. With less than a dozen present, he to urged them to support the building and funding of a school. This may not have been an easy decision since the pioneers may have had little money to spare, and the work of every child was important on their farms. Schenck told his neighbors that it was well enough to raise good pigs and corn, but there was a matter of greater importance. This had to do with bringing up their children. He asked what profit was it to a man to have fat pigs while his children went in ignorance. (1)
The neighboring pioneers were in agreement with the need for a school, and Schenck donated a plot of his land for it to be built upon. The land was surveyed as 87/100 of an acre and was located on what is today the pie-shaped section of land across from the high school. (2) This plot of land was bordered by what was then known as Plainfield Pike, an early primitive road connecting local farming communities. Placing the schoolhouse near this road made it easier for students to make their way to school since much of the area was likely still forested wilderness at this time.
The pioneers cut down the forest trees and hewed the logs, and the school was completed in 1826 by Israel Brown and James Sampson at a cost of $450. The 16-foot by 16-foot square building had a door in the south wall, a high fireplace on the back wall and two windows on each side. It was a typical primitive schoolhouse of the time and was one of the first schools in Hamilton County. (2)
The name “Amity,” meaning friendship, was given to the new school by Daniel Schenck. A later newspaper article stated, “He thought of what the school would mean in the life of the community. Through education, people would learn to understand each other and to know their responsibilities to one another. They would be friends, united in the common purpose of bringing up good children. So he called the schoolhouse Amity.” (1) This name was agreed upon because of the significance of the name, but also because Daniel Schenck was considered to be the founder of the school, and it was therefore fitting he should have the honor of naming it. (2)
This first Amity building educated children from a larger area than what Deer Park Schools encompasses today. It included Silverton and extended west to Ridge Road. (3) Daniel Hayden was the first teacher and was followed by his son, Thomas. James Terwilliger was then chosen as the third teacher and taught there until 1839. Even though it was a small pioneer school, there was a school board. The first board of directors consisted of Daniel Schenck, Israel Brown and Charles Buxton with William Schenck (son of Daniel) acting as Secretary and Samuel Corbey as Treasurer. (2)
America had declared its independence only 50 years before. The country was quickly expanding westward, and an increasing number of families were moving to the Ohio Country. The Amity log schoolhouse would soon be outgrown, but it was the seed that would grow to become the Deer Park School District we now know.
Sources:
- Cincinnati Post, August 6, 1926
- Centennial Jubilee and Home-Coming of the Deer Park Village School, Amity School, Saturday, August 7, 1926 (Event Program)
- Sycamore Messenger, Deer Park Golden Anniversary Edition,” May 17, 1962 Article, “School System, Deer Park’s Pride.”
- Schenck family genealogy documents
The artist’s rendering of the log schoolhouse was done for Deer Park Schools’ sesquicentennial in 1976. It was based on the descriptions of the schoolhouse found in district documents.
A sincere effort has been made to convey the history as accurately as possible from artifacts, documents and personal narratives in the district’s archives.
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Learn More
Community members, alumni, and supporters are encouraged to stay connected as the celebration approaches by signing up for Bicentennial updates on the district website.
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Don't Trash It, Donate It Instead!
Deer Park Schools is also asking alumni and community members to help preserve the district’s history. If you have Deer Park memorabilia — such as yearbooks, photographs, letterman jackets, uniforms, or other school items — please consider donating them back to the district so they can be featured during bicentennial celebrations.
Alumni & Community Story Submission
As Deer Park Schools prepares to celebrate its 200th Anniversary in 2026, we are collecting memories, photos, and memorabilia from alumni and community members to help tell the story of Deer Park Schools.
If you have a favorite memory, historic photo, or item connected to Deer Park Schools, we would love to hear from you.
Your submission may be featured in Bicentennial displays, district publications, social media features, or community events throughout the celebration.
Submit a Story
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