The Delayed Standish School

Standish School, 1911. Courtesy of Esther McClelland

Yesterday, we explored how Westwood was slow in building a church. Over the mountain at  Standish it had a church early on, but did not have a school. However, there were two nearby schools—Bridgeport on Chappuis Lane and Honey Lake at the intersection of Alexander and Lambert Lanes. On December 30, 1905, eleven Standish residents, who had a combined total of 22 school age children petitioned to form a new school district from territory served by Honey Lake School. It was granted.

Standish School, to the far left, teacher Miss Esther Pierce, 1911—Esther McClelland

On Saturday, June 2, 1906 a school bond election for $1,300 was held. All ten voters approved it. That summer the Wilbur Brothers constructed the school. The brothers also built Honey Lake and Missouri Bend schools, each with a distinctive bell tower. In 1950, Honey Lake School was annexed to Standish, due to a lack of students. On July 1, 1951 the residents of Bridgeport, Soldier Bridge and Standish School Districts approved to consolidate and form the Shaffer Unified School District. The Standish School was subsequently closed and torn down in 1967.

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4 thoughts on “The Delayed Standish School”

  1. I love it Tim. Gramma was a beautiful young lady. That is certainly not the way I remember her. Would you happen to know who the boys next to her are? Thank you.

  2. I purchased your book today at the Museum. I am very interested in learning why “Chappuis Lane,” received its name. My two daughters have a grandmother whose maiden name was Chappuis and claimed relation to having old ties to Standish/Buntingville. Any clarity would be greatly appreciated.

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