I love mornings. After Marlin and I spend time sipping our coffee together and reading the Bible, we either spend a little time reading other books or just talking. During the morning weather we head for the rocking chairs on our front porch, but now that it is cold, we settle down in front of the woodstove. While Marlin prepares to leave for work, I bundle up and head out to the barns because it’s time for chores. Morning chores are my favorite. No matter what season it may be, I find it invigorating and inspiring to begin my days outside. The winter chill and biting air do make me appreciate all the days that hauling water and filling feed bins remain a simple task. Winter chores remind me to be grateful, to slow down, and to take time to reflect.
This slower pace of wintertime this year is a wonderful opportunity to work on blueprints, website content, paperwork, organizing, and planning Juneberry Hill. Rebuilding of the schoolhouse can begin once the warmer temperatures of springtime have arrived, and a foundation has been made. Winter is also an ideal time to continue to search for the stories of our schoolhouses.
In researching the history of Bacon, Ohio, (where we purchased the first schoolhouse) I have learned a great deal and have thoroughly enjoyed diving into the history of the township in general. Recently, I learned it is possible our little schoolhouse was not a school, but a tiny grocery store and post office for the town. The historical location of the store and post office for Bacon is only a half mile from where our little building sat.
Here is a photo of our little mid-1800’s schoolhouse in 1980, at the location from where we picked it up.
Check out these photos of other buildings from the mid-1800s-early 1900’s:
Deadfall School, Gnawbone Indiana | Photo Credit: Scott D. Van Osdol
An old post office
Rankins Grocery | Photo Credit: Robert S. Donovan
What do you think?
Even though we may never know exactly what our little building was used for or what its history is, we are grateful to have it as part of Juneberry Hill Schoolhouse. And since we enjoy history and I do enjoy a good puzzle… we will keep on reading, searching, and looking for clues.
May you find joy in the simple things in life,
Lisa
