Timeline for Early Arcadia Area Schools

1870

Arcadia Township was organized and S. Calkins was elected the first school inspector. One of the first schools in the area was a log school on land owned by S. Hotchkiss at the northwest corner of St. Pierre and Chamberlain Roads. "Mr. William Matteson Sr. came all the way from Pierport to attend this school. School was held only during the summer because travel was too difficult during the winter." -- Arcadia 1888-1980

September 5. The Wass school was completed. Log. 20'x22' First teacher: Emma F. Arnold

This log school was replaced later by a wood frame school called the Malcolm School located just west down the road.  

1874

November 2. Pierport school construction began. Wood frame. 20'x32'. According to Henry Clay Matteson's diaries, he and M. Swiger, Crabb, Keil, and Patch began work on the school.

November 14: First school meeting was held with Henry Clay Matteson, Assessor; Hull, Moderator; and C.W. Perry, Director. They voted to raise $100 for a teacher for 4 months, 2 in the winter and 2 in the summer. They also voted to raise a $30 contingent fund and require that each scholar provide 1/4 cord of maple wood.  

1875

January 1. The Pierport school opened to students.

January 30. "The new school house at Pierport was built by C.W. Perry and presented to the district at $300. The building is lathed, plastered, and well-furnished in every respect, and would ordinarily cost $600. 20'x32' with 11' ceiling." -- Times and Standard  

1876

January 2. "Arcadia will build a new school house in District #1, 24x36 with a brick basement. It will be the first one in Manistee county out of Manistee City." -- Times and Standard

January 30. "The new school house at Pierport was built by C.W. Perry and presented to the district at $300. The building is lathed, plastered, and well-furnished in every respect, and would ordinarily cost $600. 20'x32' with 11' ceiling." -- Times and Standard

1882

March 18. "The new [Burnham] school house (26x40) will be completed at an early date." -- Manistee Weekly Times.

October 28. "A very nice school has been built in the Tondu district." -- Manistee Standard  

1883

October 13. In an article about Burnham: "Our village school is a nice new building, well furnished and will seat comfortably 120 scholars." -- Manistee Weekly Times

Date unknown. In an article about Arcadia: "There is a school house built at a cost of $800, with modern improvements, capable to accommodate 60 scholars. The present attendance is 28." -- Manistee Daily News.

The Manistee City and County Directory describes four school districts in Arcadia Township:

• District #1: Gabel School. NW corner of St. Pierre Rd. and M22.
• District #2: Swamp School. St. Pierre Rd. south of Chamberlain Rd. at the bottom of the hill.
• District #3: Arcadia Village School. NE corner of Lake and 4th Streets.
• District #4: Burnham Village School. Located in Burnham just north of Arcadia.  

1892

July 1. "The contract to build the large Lutheran school house in Arcadia has been awarded to Fred Gerndt." -- Manistee Times Sentinal.

1910

August 2. Describing the fate of the Twin Schools in Arcadia at the corner of 4th and Lake Streets: "The school buildings have been moved off the school grounds and work will begin immediately on the new school house." -- Manistee Daily News

September 16. Describing the Arcadia High School: "The new school house is progressing rapidly." -- Manistee Daily News

September 22. The Manistee Daily News has an article about laying the corner stone of the new school house.

1966

Arcadia Elementary School opens.