Deer Park Bicentennial: Throwback Thursday | March 26, 2026
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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A New School for a New Century:
A Cincinnati newspaper reported on the closing of the two room Amity schoolhouse on June 8, 1907. The article read, “Saturday was the last day of the ‘little red schoolhouse’ in Deer Park. A handsome, new, modern, building has been erected in another part of the village and the ancient structure which had been outgrown by the rapid increase in the village population, will be closed. The school term ended in Deer Park Friday, but teachers and pupils gathered Saturday afternoon to bid farewell to their old home. …. The old bell in the tower tolled its own knell, Saturday, when it called together the mourners over its passing. A reunion of the former pupils and teachers of the school was held and a basket dinner, served in the school yard, was followed by a program of recitations, songs and addresses.” (1)
The “little red schoolhouse”
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As the summer of 1907 marked the end of the small schoolhouse, the fall marked the opening of a larger, more modern building for Deer Park students. In October of 1905, the School Board had purchased a three acre tract of land for $750 from a descendent of the Schenck family. This land situated near Amity Road was a very fitting site for the new school, as it was located in the center of the farm that had belonged to Daniel Schenck, our district’s founder. (2)(3)
The Amity School we know today began as a more modest four room building when it opened for its first school year. (3) Photographs of the building at that time show a large stone above the front entrance which gives the name of the district as Amity Special School District No. 9. (4) In the early 1900s, the school served first through eighth grade students from Deer Park, Rossmoyne and part of Silverton.
Amity School, 1907
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There were two grade levels of students in each classroom; a first and second grade, a third and fourth grade, a fifth and sixth grade and a seventh and eighth grade room. These original four classrooms are still used today for our elementary students. Two of these rooms can be found on the first floor, in the center of the building, facing Galbraith Road. The other two classrooms are directly above on the second floor. They are currently used for our second and fifth grade students.
Amity class photo, early 1900s
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Since there was no indoor plumbing, students got water from a well in the back of the school. Girls’ and Boys’ outhouses were located behind the building near the back of the lot which undoubtedly made for a cold walk to the restroom in the winter. On the west exterior of the building, there was a fire escape for students whose classrooms were on the second floor. The bronze school bell was moved to the new Amity building and was hung in the belfry which once graced the center of the school. (3, 5, 6)
The teaching staff during the first year included the principal, Mr. Houser, and four teachers who each taught two grades. (3) One of the teachers rang the old school bell every morning at five ‘til eight to alert students in the community. The students had to be in school by 8:30. After a morning of learning reading, writing and arithmetic, the bell was rung at lunch time. All the students took their lunches they brought from home and ate together in the school yard. In inclement weather, they would eat in their classrooms. Following their afternoon lessons, the bell rang at 3:00 dismissing the students for the day. (7)
Amity class photo, circa 1918
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As the student population in the village of Deer Park continued to grow, so did the need for a larger school. In 1919, the building doubled in size as four more rooms were added to the back of the 1907 structure. These rooms today are used for second and fifth grade students.
A dedication ceremony was held for this new addition to the school. There was a procession from the Deer Park car barn to Amity. The Silverton band of fourteen brass instruments was followed by Mayor O’Leary, city officials and scholars of the school each bearing a flag. The Mothers Club (today known as the PTO) followed carrying a large flag into which people lining the procession route tossed coins as donations. Then came the Junior Order of United American Mechanics carrying an American flag they were presenting to the school. Bringing up the rear of the procession were many machines (as cars were often referred to at the time) occupied by visitors. (8)
The band played during the march up Blue Ash Avenue and over Amity Road. A large throng of people welcomed the parade when it arrived at the school grounds. Speakers from the Junior Order presented the flag which was accepted by Mr. Neizer, president of the School Board. The Amity Mothers Club sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America” accompanied by the band. The speakers, band, and visitors were served refreshments at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony. (8)
West view of Amity with 1919 addition visible in rear of building. The boy is Orville Jenny.
This fourth Deer Park school to be named Amity would have many educational missions over the next century plus. As the school district adapted to meet the educational needs of the community, the Amity building would be expanded and renovated five more times. It would be enlarged to include a high school and would later pivot to become a K-8 building. Then for more than five decades it served only 4th through 6th grade students. Most recently, there was a major project to enlarge and renovate the school allowing the district to educate all students in grades K-6 in one building. Through all these transformations, the community continued to invest in the future of the children, and the school proudly carried out Daniel Schenck’s ambition and vision of educating the local youth.
Sources:
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Sycamore Messenger, Deer Park Golden Anniversary Edition, May 17, 1962. Article. “School System, Deer Park’s Pride.”
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Land Deed, dated October 2, 1905. The land was purchased from the daughter of John Schenck and it was part of his estate. John Schenck was the son of Daniel Schenck, the founder of our district.
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Centennial Jubilee and Home-Coming of the Deer Park Village School, Amity School, Saturday, August 7, 1926. Event Program
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Amity photo – Circa 1907
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“History of Deer Park Schools” Essay
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2007 interviews with former Amity students
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Sycamore Messenger, Deer Park Golden Anniversary Edition, May 7, 1962. Interview with Ray Wagner
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“A Portion of Amity History”, 1919 Written by Mrs. N. A. Ohler, Amity PTA historian
Note: Amity Road was renamed Galbraith Road in 1952.
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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