In 1880, Union Township’s District 1 schoolhouse stood on R.G. Betterton’s land a mile north of Chesterfield1. At first, the schoolhouse was first known by its landowner’s name. Later, a pair of unique monikers became part of the building’s story.
The extant schoolhouse was erected around 19002. By 1901, it was visible in its present location on land then owned by Lucy McCarty3. A brick structure, it was known as the Cup and Saucer school because of a unique brick design on its rear wall4. Apparently, the schoolhouse was also known as Pleasant Corner5.
For what it’s worth, I’ve never observed anything unique about the school’s rear wall. Maybe I’m not looking close enough!
The school closed before 1922, when it and three others were sold5. The students of the District 1 school were likely sent to Chesterfield, a mile south, or to the District 2: John’s schoolhouse a mile and a half northwest. In 1929, the John’s schoolhouse was so badly damaged in a lightning storm that local officials decided to abandon it and send its students to Chesterfield6. A large consolidated school was built there the following year7.
1 Kingman Brothers. (1880). History of Madison County, Indiana with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches. Chicago, IL.
2 Madison County Office of Information & GIS Services. (2021). Parcel ID: 48-12-03-100-015.000-033.
3 Bremer, H. (2019, March 25). Historic Hidden Treasures 2.pdf. The Herald Bulletin. Web. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
4 Jackson, S. T. (2021, August 13). Madison County schoolhouses. Email.
5 Three School Houses Sold (1922, June 20). The Anderson Herald. p. 1.
6 Items of News Told in Lines (1929, August 21). The Elwood Call-Leader. p. 2.
7 McBride, M. (2008, September 4). Remodeled school full of life in Chesterfield. The Muncie Star Press. p. 11.
