The OES visited Whetstone Township School #7 on November 21, 2012. Located on Parcher Road just south of State Route 19, the schoolhouse is somewhat hidden from the road by large evergreens that surround the north and east sides of the building. The school seemed to be structurally sound during our visit, with the only major damage being a hole at the roofline on the rear wall. The school’s original doorway had been removed at some point and turned into a garage-like opening, likely to store farm equipment inside. The usual abandoned building junk littered the school’s floor, including piles of old lumber, tires, plaster from the ceiling, and other debris. The blackboards were filled with graffiti (several entries from 1993) that people have left over the years since the school closed.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to find much on the history of this old schoolhouse. We have searched several historical books and newspapers for any information about Whetstone Township’s schoolhouse #7 but have come up empty-handed. We know the building was constructed in 1882 thanks to the dedication plaque above the entryway, but we have not been able to track down any other information. If you know some of the history of this schoolhouse, please email .
Location Information: Abandoned
Whetstone Township School #7 is on Parcher Road southeast of Bucyrus; Crawford County.
Photographs
The old Whetstone Township schoolhouse can be easy to miss since it is hidden behind two large evergreens.
Each side of the schoolhouse had four large windows to allow plenty of light to enter the building.
The original window frames were still in place, but in bad condition.
Another look at one of the windows.
The back wall was mostly intact except for a small hole at the peak.
It also appeared the roof was damaged in this section since you can see the sky through the building.
The front of the schoolhouse had been altered at some point, likely to accommodate farm equipment.
Looking up standing at the front of the building.
The school's dedication plaque shows the building was constructed in 1882.
Walking inside of the old schoolhouse.
The windows on the south side of the building that were previously shown from the outside.
The northern wall of the schoolhouse.
Attic access was just above the doorway.
A pile of old lumber laid on the school's floor.
This old light socket shows electricity was used in the building at some point.
Many people have left messages on the blackboard over the years.
For some reason, the center section of the chalkboard was lighter than the other sections.
More of the graffiti left behind on the old boards.
We aren't sure what this was, maybe a scale of some sort.
Another look at the scale.
A couple of empty wooden Timken crates sat among the debris.
This neat old chair resides in the schoolhouse.
Looking out a southern window toward Parcher Road.
The schoolhouse entrance.
Most of the plaster had fallen from the ceiling, revealing the school's roof.
A somewhat modern display cabinet among the debris pile as we were leaving the building.
