Erie County (PA) Genealogy  
Schools - Public & Private

Springfield Township - Brockway # 9

Contributed by Evelyn Baker

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The article below has been written by Evelyn Baker concerning one of Springfield Township's long ago schools, known as Brockway #9. This article was originally posted on March 15, 2001, and the following information was included in the preface to the article: "This school apparently opened sometime around 1870 and closed in 1926. The building was apparently torn down shortly after it closed, and according to Evelyn, even Springfield Township's oldest residents do not have a picture of the school. However, Evelyn will continue to search for a picture of the school, and/or some of the teachers and students."

Since that time, additional information has surfaced, including a picture of the school, and information that a private residence is today in existence on the school site, with parts of the original school incorporated into the residence. All of this new information is presented on a page entitled "Brockway School #9 - 2003 Update"

If anyone has additional information about the material presented below, please contact Evelyn.

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Brockway School # 9

written by Evelyn Baker

March 2001

Brockway School #9 was one of about 12 district schools when it open about 1870. The school was located on the corner of Nye Road and Old Middle Road, just east of the Nickel Plate subway, and one mile north of the Springfield Town Hall.

In 1872, there were 12 district schools in the township, with an enrollment of 388 students. Average attendence was 273. Poor roads and inconvenience of student transportation prompted the school boards to build several one room buildings throughout the district.

The 'Kid Hack' or 'Kid Wagon' is believed to be the first public transportation of students in Pennsylvania. The first driver was Elmer Strong. He owned the farm wagon & built in crude seats, a roof that gave some protections from the elements, and side curtains used in stormy weather. In the winter, he transferred the wagon bed to a bobsled. It was then filled with straw & heated soap stones. The rides to and from school became a sleigh ride. He submitted the history of the student wagons to the Pa. Dept. of Education and was informed that the Springfield enterprise was the earliest on record in the state.

Finances alloted for the schools was $2459.63. Length of the school term was 4 months. There were 22 teachers employed in the district and they were paid $10 a month at the end of the term.

Brockway School closed in 1926 and students were sent to both West and North Springfield Schools.

Here is a table listing the teachers at Brockway School #9.

The first Brockway school reunion was held in 1950 at the Township Community Park in Girard. The oldest student attending was Anna M. Diehl, Wesleyville, who began school in 1871. Mrs. Hazel Southworth was elected President & Glenna Steenberg Ocshier was elected Secretary / Treasurer.

Students & spouses to later attend reunions:

• Mrs. Alice Biscoff

• Violet Boyd Wells

• Edna Brooks Ellis

• Elta V. Brooks

• Mrs. Maude Jaques Brownlee

• Louis Cook

• Mr. & Mrs. Arnold DeVore

• Mrs. Ross Dick

• Anna M. Diehl

• Earl Eagley

• Flossie Ellis

• Maude Fowler

• Mrs. Nellie Frances

• Margaret Frew Gatehouse

• Nancy Jean Gruzosky

• Mr. & Mrs. John Gruzosky

• Patrica Ann Gruzosky

• Fred Gable

• Margaret Gable Bax

• Ida Griffey

• Voris Griffey

• Mildred Griffey Messenger

• Mr. & Mrs. Leo Hartley

• Emma Hein

• Mr. & Mrs Earl Hicks

• Alta Hoxie Hart

• Mable Hoxie Richards

• Mr. & Mrs. Ray Johnson

• Green Jones

• Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Judd

• Charles Kidder

• Walter Kidder

• Mrs. Christina Kirkland

• Frank Lynch

• Elsie McKendree Rick

• Howard McKendree

• Mrs. Mildred Messenger

• Edna Moore Ruland

• Mrs. Eunice Niemi

• William Niemi

• Mrs. Leo Palmer

• L. G. Palmer

• Roy Palmer

• Fanny Pizzi Zapitello

• Mary Pizzi Copple

• Ada Scobe Ellis

• E. P. Sisson

• Mrs. Hazel Southworth

• Henrietta Stebbins Howland

• Mrs. Mildred Stolicker

• Leslie Strong

• Mrs. Leslie Strong

• Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Sumner

• Mr. & Mrs. Eliza Thayer

• Carl Vacco

• Lily Van Slyke

• Thelma Walbridge Thompson

• Mrs. William Walford

• Raymond Welsh

• Claude Wheatall

• Effie Wheatall Strong

• Emma Wheatall

• Elizabeth Woodworth

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Sources: Files of Glenna Steenberg Ocshier, Sec./Treas.; Conneaut News Herald; Springfield Cemetery Book; Erie County Library Obituary Index; Book "Turn of the Century" by E. Strong; and several local phone calls to the above families and to Lyrel Wegmiller, retired tax collector and Springfield Twp historian; and to Velma Eagley, retired post master and Springfield Twp historian.

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This page was last updated on  Saturday, May 3, 2003 .

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