Richwoods School
District 116
In a little log house, with spilt log seats and desks, and very poor lighting, surrounded by a grove of locust trees, the education of he pupils of district 116 of Richwoods township started. One of the first students of this school, Mrs. Rebecca Frye was still living in the district until recently.
In 1860, a new building of frame construction was erected on the site eight rods east of the old school and on the South and opposite side of the road. This building was larger and has several more windows in it. The seats were more comfortable because the y backs, however the backs were so straight that we of the modern age would found them very uncomfortable.
One night in 1906, when everyone was sleeping in the neighborhood, the building caught fire and when observed in the morning, very little was left so a new school was commenced at once and complete in the same year. School was held in this building for six years and then due to lack of pupils to attend, it was closed and reopened six years later in 1918 for the spring term. At this time the necessary improvements were made and school has been running from that time with from six to fifteen pupils.
Written in the1930s
In about 1945 the teacher of Richwoods School was called away suddenly to be with her injured husband, a World War II soldier. In need of a teacher for the fall term, the directors asked Mrs. Mabel Pierce, a former teacher, to take over for the year. They offered her $140 a month. She was to be one of the highest paid teachers in the area. She accepted on the condition her son, Larry, could attend the school also. So Larry, who previously attended Alta, became a Richwood’s student. Shortly after the school year began, Alta School was destroyed by fire. Those students had a two-week vacation until school resumed in the nearby Masonic Lodge. Like any school age child, Larry was really unhappy when his former schoolmates received an unexpected vacation.
Richwoods School was located on the corner of Pioneer Park and University. After its doors were closed in 1946, the building was moved about 1/2 to 1 mile south on University. A couple lived there for a few years until the house burned to the ground.
Richwoods School was a true one-room schoolhouse, coal fired stove, a pump well (which wasn’t used) and boys and girls "rest rooms" out back.
Larry Pierce
Alta School
Richwoods School
Wilder-Waite School
California
