Will County's Historic Landmarks

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The presence of one-room schoolhouses dotted America’s rural landscape during the mid-nineteenth century because of the two-mile radius law that was implemented in order to provide accessible education to the entire community. Towards the end of the 19th century, compulsory school attendance was mandated, and the establishment of the numerous schoolhouses facilitated compliance with the new regulation.

 

Located in central Manhattan Township, Paton School, a wood frame one-room schoolhouse, is a tangible reminder of early educational facilities found in rural Will County as well as other parts of Illinois.  In its original location, Paton School was situated on a limestone rubble foundation.  The school now sits on poured concrete.  Its gabled end roof is sheathed in composition shingles over what was most certainly a wood shingle roof.  The building is wrapped in clapboard with double-hung fenestration (though numerous windows have been boarded over).  The north site was modified in the past to accommodate a tractor or another piece of mechanized equipment.  The primary entry door and building façade was re-orientated from its original north facing entrance to an entrance facing south.   

While the over all condition of the school building is fair, it is significant because the school is remaining and was relocated a short distance from its original site.  The new location is similar to the original site, thus preserving the integrity of site and environment.  While development will likely crowd out open space south of Baker Road, the new school site will remain dedicated open space thus preserving the feeling of a rural school house.

The Paton School closed its doors permanently in 1953.  Its former students began attending the new Manhattan District #114.

The Paton School was designated a Will County landmark on December 15, 2005.

 

Historic Name: Paton School

Common Name: Paton School 

Location: Manhattan Township

 

 

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