Deer Park Bicentennial: Throwback Thursday | The Pioneer Community Grows
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.”
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The Pioneer Community Grows:
In the early 1800s, the United States was quickly expanding westward. In the years following the building of the first schoolhouse, many more pioneers moved to the area then known as Deer Lick. In just thirteen years, the local community had outgrown the small school so in 1839 a larger one was erected on the same site. While the new schoolhouse was being built, Daniel Schenck died and did not get to see the completion of this first period of district growth. (1)
The new school retained the name of Amity. It was constructed of brick and was heated with a stove rather than an open fireplace. There was a door in the south wall and the room was lit by three windows running lengthwise just below the ceiling on both the east and west walls. It was built by Jonathan Brand with Ezra Ferris doing the carpentry work at a cost of $700. (1)
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The school would have also been used for social gatherings, and the school board of directors sought to improve the property for the students’ and community’s use. In 1861, it purchased from John Schenck two acres of land adjoining the plot originally donated by his father, Daniel. They planted a grove of maple trees, and in later years, many believed it to be the most beautiful school grounds in the area. (1)
After 32 years of use, the community outgrew the small building and the district saw the need for an improved school for the students. In the spring of 1871, builder John Johnston began erecting a new one room brick schoolhouse on the same site. It was finished in time for school to start in September with about 40 pupils enrolled. It was the third schoolhouse bearing the name Amity. The first teachers in this building were A. B. Johnston and his wife Hettie. In 1874, the building was enlarged as a second room was added. (1,2)
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An interview with a student who attended Amity school in 1889, described the building as having a “…. small room and a big room with four grades in each room. The teachers were Tillie Walker and C.W. Lever. Mr. Lever was also the principal, and he taught in the big room. There was a stove in each room.” (2, 3)
Another newspaper article tells of a Deer Park resident who recalled that in this building, the teacher called the children to class by beating a stick on the window sash, “and if you didn’t hear it, you were apt to get some of the same.” (4) Fortunately for the children, in 1874, the board of directors purchased a bronze bell for $108 and placed it in the belfry to call the children to school. Annual picnics of the school were held in the woods that grew on the grounds.
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By the early 1900s the community had outgrown the school and there were constructional concerns. The voters were asked to pass a bond to provide money to build a new school. The bond issue didn’t initially pass, and the school continued to be used. In 1906, the building was condemned for faulty roof construction. (7) Some accounts state that the students and teachers were forced to leave school one day without their books, taking only their slates with them, since it was felt the heavy slate roof might fall in. (3) Soon after, the bond issue was passed, and the school was closed at the end of the 1906 school year. Students attended the Pleasant Ridge School until a new school could be constructed. (7)
After the school was abandoned, the board of directors sold the property. A land deed from the time indicates they sold the two acres that had been purchased from John Schenck back to a descendent of the Schenck family for $955. Five years later, the school and the original plot of land Daniel Schenck had donated for the first log schoolhouse was also sold. It was bought by Mr. and Mrs. John Little who remodeled it into a home where their family lived for several decades.
Replication of sketch from 1907 land deed
( Street names, compass rose and a key have been added for context)
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In the early 1970s, the heirs of the Little family sold the old school property. It was demolished in May of 1972 despite last minute efforts to save or preserve the building as a historic site. (3, 5)
The closing of the 1871 Amity School wasn’t the end of the Schenck family’s involvement in the forward progress of our school district. As the old schoolhouse was closed, the next chapter of our district’s history was unfolding as a new, larger, more modern Amity was being built a short distance away on land that was part of John Schenck’s farm thus continuing the family’s connection to and support of the education of the local youth.
Sources:
- 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.”
- “History of Deer Park Schools” essay.
- Sycamore Messenger, Deer Park Golden Anniversary Edition, May 17, 1962 Interview with Ray Wagner
- The Sentinel, Deer Park Special Edition, June 7, 1972
- Land Deed, dated September 27, 1907
- Newspaper clipping, May 1972. Interview with Anna Hambly and Howard Ames.
The artist’s rendering of the brick schoolhouse was done for Deer Park Schools sesquicentennial in 1976. It was based on 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.
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.