The Stamford Historical Society
PHOTO ARCHIVIST’S SELECTION OF THE MONTH: SEPTEMBER 2004
One-Room Schoolhouses in Stamford
Stamford had quite a few one-room schoolhouses, and we have photos of several of them.
The Bicentennial Commemorative Publication “Stamford Past & Present, 1641–1976” has a chapter by Marie Updegraff about early education in Connecticut and Stamford in particular, titled Education Spelled Freedom.
Below are excerpts referring to one-room schoolhouses in Stamford.
But it's worthwhile reading the entire chapter!
“In October, 1685, the town voted to heat the school: “The town appoint ye schoolhouse to be fitted with a stone chimney and all other ways comfortably fitted for use of ye school.” In what other ways it was “comfortably fitted” are not known and somewhat difficult to imagine. At any rate, five years later the town decided it needed a larger school, and the little building was sold to Stephen Bishop for twenty shillings and sixpence
“On April 2, 1798, the eighty-one property owners in Stamford's First School District were invited to a meeting to discuss building a new school. John Davenport, Justice of the Peace, served as “moderator.” Those present voted a tax of four cents on the dollar on the 1797 property list in the First District to construct a school- house “a little westerly from the spot where the former schoolhouse stood.” What happened to the former schoolhouse—which First District children probably attended during the Revolution—is not known. Perhaps it burned down. It was located in the vicinity of the original one-room schoolhouse.
Simsbury School, c. 1891. Located at High Ridge Road opposite Cross Road.
 Roxbury School more history on the school |
“By 1802, Stamford had seven school districts: the First; West of the (Mill) River; Smith's (northwestern section bordering the Stanwich line); Roxbury; Hoyt's (northern High Ridge section); Simsbury (southern High Ridge section); and Holmes (Glenbrook-Noroton section).
“By 1870, Stamford had fourteen schools and, in addition, shared five school districts with neighboring communities. The Stamford schools included the graded Centre School; the Green School (in the Meadow Street-Canal Street section since wiped out by the Connecticut Turnpike); West Stamford (Richmond Hill section); Bangall; Roxbury; Simsbury; Cove; Turn of River; Scofieldtown; North Stamford; High Ridge; Hunting Ridge; Long Ridge, and Farms (on Riverbank Road). The joint districts were Hope Street, Holmes, New Canaan, Banksville and Stanwich. |
Old Long Ridge School, c. 1906
 Turn of River School. Before being moved, the building became the first Turn of River Fire House. |
“Farms School stayed in place at 942 Riverbank Road near Farms Road and became the living room of a home. Hunting Ridge School was sold at public auction in 1945 and moved to 42 Dannell Drive, where it serves as two bedrooms and the living room of a house. Turn of River School was moved in the 1920's a few hundred yards south to 69 Turn of River Road and made into a two-bedroom house with kitchen, bath, and combination living-dining room.
“The North Stamford School was moved across Cascade Road to become the Guild House of the North Stamford Congregational Church. High Ridge School forms the center section of McLaughlin Hall next to the Ridges Methodist Church on High Ridge Road. After the pupils of the High Ridge, North Stamford, Roxbury and Turn of River one-room schools were transferred in 1914 to the new Martha Hoyt School on High Ridge Road, the city donated the little High Ridge School to the Methodist Church. Last of the one-room schools to close was Bangall, at Roxbury and Westover roads. School kept there until June, 1949. The only one of the small structures still used as a school, it holds the Sunday School rooms of the attached Friends' Meeting House.”
North Stamford School, c. 1900
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Text:
“North Stamford School students on step of North Stamford Congrt. Church in about 1900 with teacher Mrs. Martha Hoyt, rear row center. The stone school in North Stamford was named for her. Florence Hoyt, dau. of Emmett Hoyt, second from left, rear row. Emmett Hoyt & Martha's husband, Robert L. Hoyt were 1st cousins.” |
Two Schools not mentioned in the above referenced article:
Dantown School, unknown date
The area is now underneath the Stamford Reservoir.
Mayapple School, early 1900s
The teacher is Minnie Slawson; among the students are Courtland Jones & Earl Waters.
© Stamford Historical Society
| Month | Title |
|---|---|
| January 2003 | The Wardwell Homes on Elm Street |
| February 2003 | The Old Town Hall II |
| March 2003 | The Portable Typewriter and its Uses, 1913 |
| June 2003 | Wardwell Family Photos |
| Month | Title |
|---|---|
| May 2007 | The League of Women Voters and Harold I June, June 26, 1930 |
| June 2007 | Brownstones on Bell Street |
| July 2007 | The Nature Studies and Recreations of a Business Man |
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