In checking the latest Chenango County map to ascertain if Squirrel Hill still was in existence – it is and begins just south of the Greene Airport on New York State #12 and runs south to the Broome County line. Mrs. Folsom documented the general areas of the district schools and in checking the 1863 map of the Township of Greene, the above district does not appear.
Moving forward to the 1875 map of the county the location of this early district school was located near the property of W.W. Davis and bringing the location to the present, approximately just south of the Squirrel Hill and Hackett Roads. Ah, another Sunday afternoon drive when we have warmer weather in the forthcoming spring.
The life of District #12 ran from 1851 to 1915 a span of 64 years and to the historian’s knowledge there are no known photos existing of the school. If anyone rummaging in their attics would happen to come across a photo, please forward it to Mrs. Ross, she will be ecstatic to receive it. The Greene Historical Society has in its possession, a wealth of information regarding the district, but all historians, societies, are always looking for that all evasive segment of history that helps solve so many problems.
Written previously in the articles of the Township of Greene, the Squirrel Hill District was no exception to the district line changes as is documented and given to all who are in a study of maps, etc. The first district change found was in 1831 when the farm of Con McGowan was changed from #12 (Mrs. Folsom wrote Smithville) to #11 (Smithville and Greene). Whether this change relates to the Smithville district schools remains to be written at a later date when the district schools of Smithville are written. In 1846 the farm of Solomon Lawton (the north half of lot #12 from moved from District #20 to #22. This is again is confusing to say the least as the locations do no coincide with the approximate site of #12. Finally there is documentation that in 1852 a new District #12 (where ?) was formed which included lots #113,100,99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94 and 87 (they previously being parts of Districts # 7,13, and 19. Yet another study of existing maps, preferable at the County Clerk’s Office!
Research has failed to unearth a deed where the property was sold to the district for a school, yet another mystery that possibly will only be solved with extensive research.
The scholar population of Squirrel Hill district ranged from 23 in 1852 to a high of 38 in 1871 and a low of 16 by 1886. There was a notation in the research written dated February 3,1886 “Miletus Fitch taught here just 70 days and walked 8 miles a day to and from his school, over terrible roads for a total of 560 miles.” This writer would venture a guess that this early teacher did not have a weight problem and wore out a lot of shoe leather in those 70 days. Perhaps after that span of time, he was tired!
Early trustees who willingly gave their time were DeForest Glazier, E. Buckman, Jim Curley, Herman Kruger, James Curley, Jr., Harry Small, Ed Badger, Will Lamphere, Bert Badger, Harry Small, and Charles Hackett.
The only teacher besides Mr. Fitch that was found was in 1914-15 Harold Comfort was listed. 1915 being the last year the school was active, we will assume that he was the last teacher of this early district.
At times, the lack of history or in certain circumstances the wealth of history which dictates the length of these “schools of the past” articles, therefore in conclusion to this brief article we will close with the pleas, for both school days memories and please do not destroy any educational or photos that you may possess if not needed or wanted any longer. Pass them along to the historian, county historical society, local history society, etc. They will be kept for all future generations. Additionally if none of the above is favorable, please pass information to e-mail to news@evesun.com. It will be forwarded if you so desire!