In 1905, Licking Township’s District 7 schoolhouse sat on a section of land owned by C.W. Hughes. Naturally, it received its common name from this association1.
Not much is known about the Hughes school. In 1908, Finley Geiger -a former Blackford County Superintendent of Schools of ten years- returned to the classroom as teacher of the District 7 schoolhouse2.
The District 7: Hughes school seems to have been closed around 19103, and it does not appear on a map showing rural free mail delivery that was published the next year4.
In 1912, N.W. Atkinson and his wife filed suit to quiet title against Licking Township as the District 7 building and grounds were no longer being used for educational purposes after the average attendance had dropped below twelve students5 per a state law ratified in 19076. Shortly after, the building was converted into a home.
Sources Cited
1 Hixson, W.W. (1905). Blackford County, Ind. map. Map Collection, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library.
2 Back In Old Traces (1908, January 30). The Muncie Star. p. 5.
3 Thieves Busy In The Country (1910, April 29). The Muncie Star. p. 12.
4 Map of Blackford County, Indiana showing rural delivery service (1911). The United States Post Office Department. Map Collection, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library.
5 Suit to Quiet Title (1912, January 22). The Muncie Star. p. 7.
6 Law Will Close School (1907, April 13). The Muncie Star. p. 10.
