Delaware County’s Center Township maintained a school system outside of Muncie for more than a hundred years. Unfortunately, the city’s annexation of the Riley and Forest Park schools after the 1928-29 term left Eugene Field as the township’s only school. With overcrowded classrooms, officials sent many students to schools outside district limits1.
In 1957, Center Township agreed to combine its schools with Muncie’s in a single district called the Muncie Community School Corporation. Two months before the merger became effective, 1,200 people attended the dedication ceremonies of Center Township’s $546,000 Claypool Elementary School2.
Claypool was the first school built in unincorporated Center Township in thirty-three years3. Named after an early owner of the property, the structure featured 18 classrooms, a multipurpose room, two offices, a library, a work room, a cafeteria and kitchen, and a music room that doubled as a clinic. A protective awning even spanned the width of the U-shaped building to shield students from unwelcome weather as they got off the bus4.
Unfortunately, Claypool fell victim to changing population trends. Along with Morrison-Mock Elementary, it closed in 20055. Later that year, Head Start and Comprehensive Mental Health Services purchased the vacant Claypool, Morrison-Mock, and Riley elementary schools. Today, Claypool’s home to TRC Muncie Head Start.
Sources Cited
1 Slabaugh, S. (2019, March 24). Official defends condition of school. The Muncie Star Press. p. A1.
2 Township Only Has One School (1929, July 24). The Muncie Star. p. 14.
3 Organization Formed to Push School Merger (1957, November 23). The Muncie Star. p. 9.
4 1,200 Expected to Attend Claypool School Dedication (1958, October 28). The Muncie Star. p. 9.
5 Koch, G. (2005, June 14). Claypool closing marks end of aide’s long career. The Muncie Star Press. p. 6.
6 Boyd, O. (2005, June 22). Area nonprofits buy vacant school buildings. The Muncie Star Press. p.
