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.
Built on the
property of Henry Schmuhl, a prosperous New Lenox farmer, the original
Schmuhl School was housed in a frame building. The Schmuhl School was one
of 25,000 independent schools in Illinois. Other independent schools in
the area were Cherry Hill, Francis, Reiter, Gougar, and Marley. In 1932,
the building suffered an extensive fire and required reconstruction. While
the school children’s classes took place in a tourist cabin owned by the
Schmuhl family, a new brick building was built to serve as the educational
facility for the students. The brick building was completed and reopened
for classes in 1933. While the schoolhouse remained a one-room facility,
the new masonry construction of the building exhibits the evolution of
school building design.
In the
mid-twentieth century, due to the State of Illinois promotion of school
consolidation, the Schmuhl School was incorporated into the New Lenox
Grade School District 122. The schoolhouse continued to serve in its
educational capacity until 1996. The New Lenox Area Historical Society is
in the process of rehabilitating the schoolhouse to reflect its original
1932 design.
The Schmuhl
School was designated a Will County landmark on October 17, 2002.
