Looking Back

Ann O’Hara
Posted 8/21/12

The octagon school house in White’s Valley, Mt. Pleasant Township, Wayne County, was restored by the Daughters of the American Revolution Wayne Chapter in 1931 and dedicated on September 13, 1932. …

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Looking Back

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The octagon school house in White’s Valley, Mt. Pleasant Township, Wayne County, was restored by the Daughters of the American Revolution Wayne Chapter in 1931 and dedicated on September 13, 1932. Unfortunately, the school, one of at least four in the county, was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935. The land was donated by Rufus H. Gager, and the school was built by the Mt. Pleasant school board.

Octagon schools were built in Lake, Mount Pleasant and South Canaan Townships between 1840 and 1852, of native stone with 18-inch thick walls and few windows. One of the two South Canaan schools still stands on private property. Photos and detailed drawings of the White’s Valley school can be viewed on the Library of Congress website (loc.gov, enter “octagon school”).

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main St., Honesdale. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. and museum only 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

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