Madison County’s Adams Township has a rich educational history. In 1912, ten schoolhouses operated there! In addition to their district number, each was known by a colloquial name. Kids were taught at places like Lost Woods, Bethel, Dead Dog, Ovid, Wildwood, Emporia, White Chapel, Collier, Markleville, and Buttonwood1! An elementary school with the sedate name of Fall Creek Heights served as their successor.
Even though it sits just south of Anderson, Adams Township is rural and sparsely populated. The town of Markleville emerged as the area’s center of population, and its school was enlarged to accommodate students in grades one through twelve in 19132. Nine years later, the schoolhouses of districts one through six were condemned by the state board of health. Districts 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10 were ultimately absorbed into Markleville.
A consolidated elementary school, Fall Creek Heights, was finished in 19283 at the corner of Rangeline Road and County Road 600-South. The building likely absorbed the Lost Woods, Dead Dog, and Wildwood schoolhouses. In 1929, a whopping 146 pupils attended classes at the single-story building4!
In 1958, Indiana’s State Commission for the Reorganization of School Corporations passed new guidelines for school districts specifying minimum enrollment standards for public schools. As a result, the school townships of Green, Fall Creek, and Adams merged to create South Madison Community Schools in 19655. Along with Markleville, Fall Creek Heights closed in 1979 after East Elementary School was completed for $2.9 million6.
After years as a residence, the former Fall Creek Heights Elementary is now home to American Elevator, Incorporated.
Sources Cited
1 Bock, G. (1970, October 29). Adams Township Had Ten School Districts. Anderson Daily Bulletin. p. 4.
2 Bock, G. (1969, June 3). This is Year of Last Good Bye for Markleville H.S.. Anderson Daily Bulletin. p. 4.
3 School Terms to Close Next Week (1928, April 14). The Elwood Call-Leader. p. 1.
4 Had Large Enrollment (1929, September 4). The Alexandria Times-Tribune. p. 4.
5 Wyant, M. & Marsh, J. (1969 August 8). A Teacher’s Dream Turns Into Reality. The Anderson Daily bulletin. p. 8.
6 Douglas, D. (1977, September 30). SMCS building plan to cost $3.2 million. The Anderson Daily Bulletin. p. 1.
