1868 Schoolhouse
Burton, Geauga County – on list since 2008
Schoolhouse, soon after construction
The Burton Central High School was established by a vote of the people of Burton Township at a special election in 1866, and was the first high school in Geauga County. The building for the school was built by D. Woodward in 1868, at a cost of about $4,000. It was a wooden structure, 36×48 feet in size and two stories high. It originally was built on the west side of the Village Green, however on December 6, 1871, the wooden commercial buildings on the east side of North Cheshire Street burned to the ground. The populace of Burton then determined to build a new brick high school on the site of the original frame high school, so in 1884 the original 1868 High School was moved intact by rolling the building on logs pulled by a team of oxen. The building’s new location was next to the Town Hall, which had been built in 1881. The building became the meeting hall for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows from 1884-1959, after which it was used as an antique shop until it was purchased by the Burton Volunteer Fire Department in 2003.
After acquiring the Town Hall in 1926, in 2004 the Burton Volunteer Fire Department purchased the 1868 High School building next door with the intent of converting the building into classroom and support facilities for the Firehouse. However, after a facilities needs study was conducted by the Fire Department, it was ascertained that the building did not meet their requirements. At this point and after the building had been vandalized, the Fire Department proposed to demolish the 1868 High School building to allow them to expand their building. In response to this proposal, the Burton Historic District Association and other Burton institutions and organizations negotiated a moratorium on demolition of the building. Recently, after further study, the Fire Department has proposed to move to another location and is seeking a buyer for the properties, and it is felt that this again puts the 1868 High School into even greater jeopardy.
There has been substantial involvement by local organizations and interface with local government on the fate of this historic building. Multiple overtures have been made to the Fire Department to have them invest in the preservation of the property, but their perspective emphasizes the value of the land and not the building itself. As a result, not only is there no commitment to preservation or renovation of the building, but it is seen as an impediment to their plans for sale of the property.
The Burton Historic District Association proposes that ideally the 1868 High School be preserved at its present location, that the building be restored to its original exterior design, that the building be updated to meet current building code requirements, and that discussions be held to develop alternative uses and funding sources for the building which contributes to the unique character of the Burton Historic District. If progress cannot be made in preserving the structure at its present site, then discussions need to be held to identify a suitable site for relocation and restoration of the building.
Links for Additional Information:
- Geauga County Historical Society
- Burton Chamber of Commerce
- Complete List – 2009 Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites
Additional Photos: click thumbnail for larger image
