Interior of the Drayton Plains School, 2021
History – Where the School Began
The original “Drayton Plains School”, officially the Waterford District 8 School, was constructed around 1836 and was “directly across from the Drayton Plains cemetery east on the plank road running from Detroit to Flint”, now the southeast corner of Dixie and Walton.
1857: The map shows the abbreviation “DS” – District School.
It had been constructed by Simon Van Norwich around 1835 or 1836. The rapid growth of Waterford Township led to the need for a new school by the beginning of the 1860’s, and the decision was made to close the school. Henry Birge bought the building and moved it to his farm, where it served as a storehouse for corn and wagons. It is now lost to history. Students attended school in a local storefront for a year.
In 1862, Alvin Southard sold a 1/2 acre of land to School District 8 for their use, part of his farm which was along what was then called the Clarkston Road, now called Sashabaw.
This is also where the later Drayton Plains Elementary would be built around 1925.
In 1965, the schoolhouse was donated to the Society by Leonard Coats, and moved to the Wisner property at that time.
School building ca. 1940-1943, then operating as the Salvation Army Citadel. Contributed by Paul Verhey.
Interior under renovation, 1966.
1965: Schoolhouse, then the Church of God building, preparing to move to Pine Grove.
Restored to the late 1800’s era, the schoolhouse reflects pioneer schooling complete with school benches, a wood burning stove and textbooks from 1860-1890.
The school house is available for half or full day rentals.