FROM CABIN TO “COTTAGE”: THE WEST HIGHLAND SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN COTTAGE – Part 5: A New Home As it turns out, the eventual fate of the West Highland School was linked to that of the “Union” or “Highland Station” school. This was located on the northeast corner of Milford Road and what was then Spring Mills Road (just south of the current McDonalds.) Its schoolyard was so small that A. D. DeGarmo allowed the children to use a portion of his land to the east (between the school and railroad) as their playground. When M-59 was built through Highland Township in the 1930’s, however, its route incorporated the portion of old Spring Mills Road in front of the Union School. In order for the highway to pass beneath the new railroad viaduct the roadbed was also dropped more than 10 feet. The resulting steep grades and even smaller schoolyard rendered the old Union School unusable [See Photo 1.] So with $5,250 from the State, plus another $25,000 raised through bonding, a new “Highland Township School” was constructed on North John Street in 1936 [See photo 2.] Just two short years later, in 1936, the size of the building was doubled to accommodate students from surrounding rural schools who began taking buses to Highland Station [See photo 3.] To further relieve the congestion it was also decided to re-purpose the West Highland School by moving it to the southeast corner of St. John and Ruggles streets. While conveniently located across from the Highland Township School, it could nevertheless provide a self-contained environment for kindergartners just beginning their education, i.e., a “Kindergarten Cottage.” The technique for actually moving the building did not differ greatly from that used today. Steel beams were inserted under the sills, then raised by jacks placed on wooden cribbing. With the building thus supported the original foundation was cleared away enough to permit multi-wheeled dollies to be rolled into place. The building was then lowered onto the dollies and slowly towed by truck to its new home. The forth photo seen here shows the West Highland School just after making the turn from Hickory Ridge Road onto eastbound M-59. The view is looking east. Notice the man perched on the roof to make sure the school’s belfry would clear any overhanging wires. Other men can be seen walking along either side of the building, acting as spotters to check side clearances, watch for potholes, etc. The fifth and final photo shows the West Highland School – now the Kindergarten Cottage – at its new location. The view is looking northwest. The south end of the Highland Township School can be seen behind the Cottage on the left, while the white posts visible in the distance on the right lined the shoulder of M-59. Coming next – Pages From A Scrapbook
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:20:01 +0000
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