HOME | DD

Description
Charter Oak School, near Schuline Illinois, September 2018.

Built in 1873, the building served as a public primary school until 1953.

Of the 53 octagonal school houses built in the U.S. , only three still exist.

The first school building at this location was a log cabin built in 1848. It was replaced by a typical wood frame school house in 1863, but that building was destroyed in a tornado.

The brick and octagonal construction was chosen because it would be better at withstanding severe weather. The octagonal shape also allowed more sunlight into the room.

Description
Charter Oak School, near Schuline Illinois, September 2018.

Built in 1873, the building served as a public primary school until 1953.

Of the 53 octagonal school houses built in the U.S. , only three still exist.

The first school building at this location was a log cabin built in 1848. It was replaced by a typical wood frame school house in 1863, but that building was destroyed in a tornado.

The brick and octagonal construction was chosen because it would be better at withstanding severe weather. The octagonal shape also allowed more sunlight into the room.