Former Springfield Township Schools
La Porte County Indiana - Detailed History

The following was researched by:
Phyllis Eckovich with asstance from Fern Eddy Schultz

EARLY 1832 SCHOOL - -The first school was built in 1832 in Springville according to Chapman's History of La Porte County, 1880. It burned in 1835

1862 Plat of Springfield Township records in Section 7 and also in Section 16 a school - possibly Hack School.

1874 - Section 1 was Shippeeburg school - might have also been known as Rossburg School. Rossburg in existence in 1863 with Mr. L. Austin in charge. There were about 40 students in a very small and poorly arranged room. But a new large brick house was to be built soon!
in this same area Hack school here but perhaps as late as 1887.
Stites school could be found in Section 23 as Organ school was located in section 32 and in Section 36 Culp deed is dated 1884 unknown if there was another name prior to this.

1892 plat of Springfield Twonship records seven (7) schools at the time.

Section 13
Section 16 - Hack School
Section 20
Section 23 - There is a reference to a school being here as early as 1874 (perhaps physical location being changed) Class here until 1949-50 when it was vacated. 1953-55 school years it was used as an overflow of pupils from Springfield Township School. Sold to Roger Schofield, 1 May 1962 and then used as nursing home and later a business school. At the end of its existence before being destoyed by fire in 2006, it was only briefly used by the volunteer fire department.
Section 31 - Vail School - Olive Vail deeded 1/2 acre to Springfield Twp. But there is a descriptive write-up of the Vail School built in 1846 at a cost of $175 - See file at the LaPorte Historical Society Museum.
Section 32 - Organ School - 1887 (burned 2 February 1902.)
Section 36 - Culp School - Benjamin H. & Patty Culp deeded property to Springfield Township in 1884 for school purposes.

1921 plat of Springfield Township records
Section 18 Starr School
Section 23 Stites School
Section 31 Vail School
Section 32 Organ School

Other Schools in Existence in 1929

Section 18 Starr School - notation "Organized two years ago" one-room
Section ?? Central

Additional Notes on Springfield Schools -

Culps school - Sect 36
   located 650 N between Wilhelm Road and Range Road
   1898-1899 Robert Hanson was Trustee

Starr School - Section 31
   located on 525 W about 1 mile north of US 20
   it has 1888 on the fron of the building, which is now a home.
   1897-1898 - Robert Hanson was Trustee and Chas Zigler was Supt.

Shippeeburg School - Section 13
   located on 800 N
   Bert Slater was Schoolmaster

Stites School - Section 14
   located on 900 N and IN 39

Organ School - Section 33
   located on 400W about 1 1/4 mile North of US 20

Vail School - Section 31
   located on 525 W just off of US 20
   John Schultz - teacher

Hack School - Section 16
   located near 375 W and 925 N

Ross School - Section 13
   possibly the same as Shippeeburg School

Levi Burns School - Section 31
   possibly the same as the Starr or Vail School

The County school graduates went to La Porte for their graduation which was held at the Halls Opera House. In many of the schools there was but a few students graduating.

In 1900 Elsie M. Frey was 21 years old and was also a school teacher in the area.

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