Early History of Manhattan Schools
Memories With Progress, 1986 Manhattan Centennial Celebrations publication
Baker’s Grove was the site of the first school building in Manhattan Township in 1852. Black walnut and white oak trees in this grove provided the wood necessary for the construction of the building, which was heated by a fireplace and had one window and a door. The desks were wide shelves on the exterior walls with seats made from planks set on posts. Sheets of wood, painted black, served as chalkboards, and the writing tool was carpenter’s chalk.
In 1855, Illinois was divided into the rectangular survey system, whereby all counties contained sixteen townships, each having thirty-six sections. The maximum was nine school districts per township, each containing no less than four districts. Schoolhouses within the district were to be located so that no child traveled over two miles to school. As of April 4, 1870, the Manhattan Township Supervisor established eight school districts as follows: No. 1 - Geuther; No. 2 - Mud Creek; No. 3 - Barr; No. 4 - Manhattan Grade; No. 5 - Manhattan Center; No. 6 - Pfundstein; No. 7 - Paton; No. 8 - Five Mile Grove. In 1902, these numbers were changed to #111-118 to correspond with the county numbering system.
The one-room wooden buildings, with one door and from four to six windows, were heated with coal stoves and provided with water pumped from wells in the school yards. Students each had their own desk with blackboards at the front of the room.
Students started school as early as age five and finished eight years of study as young as thirteen, or as old as twenty-one. After completing the required years, tests were given in Joliet, and an elementary grade diploma was granted to those with passing grades. Students wishing to continue their education had to travel to Joliet to attend high school.
On June 30, 1906, Manhattan Township School District #114 purchased lots six through thirteen in Heitman’s Second Addition from Sophia and Henry Heitman for $800. In 1908, a brick grade school building was constructed. An addition was built at the east end in 1915, housing two new classrooms, a band room, and a heating plant. Two teachers were added to to provide students with high school level subjects in the freshman and sophomore years. The two year high school was discontinued 1942, and students were transferred to Joliet Central High School for the junior and senior years until 1954. At this time Lincoln-Way Community High School District #210 was formed.
Lots one to five, and fourteen to twenty-seven, in Heitman’s Second Addition were purchased for $2500 on May 12, 1925, from John and Linda Heitman in order to provide and athletic field to the school.
Harry Waldhauser presented a petition in 1947 to consolidate District #111 and #116 because enrollment had dropped in #111 below the minimum required of fifteen, and District #116 was closed in 1949.
When a committee was formed in Will County early in 1951 to study the problem of consolidating schools, Manhattanites opposed Peotone’s wish to take Manhattan into their unit district. Due to unforeseen circumstances, districts #111, #112, and #113 were absorbed by Peotone Unit District #207U. The remaining five school districts merged and formed the Manhattan Township District #114, and Murphy Bus Service was hired to transport students. During the summer of 1952, all but three country school buildings were sold.
Graduation ceremonies were held at Sportsmen’s Hall until 1955, when a gymnasium, with a stage, was added to the south side of the east addition to the building. In 1964, an addition was completed at the west end with room for a library. At this time, the original two story structure was demolished and replaced with a one story addition in 1968. Due to enlarged enrollment and additional programs, an addition was added to the rear of the building.
On April 12, 1965, a resolution was adopted by the school board changing the name to Anna McDonald School District #114 of Will County. Anna McDonald had taught in the school district for forty-four years, twelve of which she served as principal.
