Hollis Township
No. 7 N., R. 7 E.
1945 Consolidation
#40 Hollis
#41 Maple Ridge
1957 #3171969 #327 Illini Bluffs #42 Mapleton
1957 #3171969 #327#43 Martin
1956 #316 Limestone Walters#44 Wheeler
1969 part #44 (?) part #327
Early History of Hollis (1860-1936) District #40
About 1838, school district No. 1 for Hollis township was established. The school was named Perdue School District No. 1, Town 7, Range 7 of Peoria County.
In 1860, Henry Rahn donated an acre of plot, on which a building sixteen by twenty was built. In this building the three "R's" were taught for 25 years.
After being in use for nearly a quarter of a century, the building was remodeled and enlarged. The size became 20 feet by thirty-five feet, with a hall across the rear for wraps. This new building was equipped with a few new maps and a large slate blackboard. The number of subjects taught were five, an addition of Geography and Grammar having been made to the curriculum. The new building was equipped with two stoves and in the cold weather, the teacher had more work tending the fires than teaching the pupils.
Around 1882, the name was changed to Hollis School after the township it was located in. Around 1909 the district became No. 40.
Very few changes were made in Hollis until 1912. At this time the windows were rearranged and a basement put under the building so that a furnace could be installed. The double seats were changed to singles and more blackboard was added. A small addition has been made to the library and a large dictionary placed on a stand in the corner. The school met the standard requirement in 1914 and has been endeavoring to be ultra modern in every was since that time.
In the spring of 1936 the people of district no. 40 Hollis School, Peoria County, Illinois, decided that the school population had increased to such an extent that it was necessary to have a two room school so a vote was taken to build an additional room on the east side of the old room, making the two room into a common unit. This arrangement improved the appearance of the building, its comfort, and convenience and also provided ample room for two teachers. This was done at the cost of some $4000.
Into the early '60's the location of Hollis School was on Tuscarora Road, at the site of the present firehouse. In 1961 an option on land owned by Fred Reader was taken with the intention of building a new school. In 1961 a referendum was held on the issuing of bonds worth $145,000 for the new school and in 1962 a bid was accepted from George D. Johnson Company for the construction of the new school. The building was to include four completed classrooms, four uncompleted classrooms, an auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, offices, teacher's workrooms, and an unfinished swimming pool room.
Hollis School was torn down after the new facility was built. The original school site is now the location of the Tuscarora Fire Department, (corner of Tuscarora and Lafayette roads).
In addition to the construction costs, $60,658 was paid to the Peoria Water Works Company to extend a water line to the new school. The new building was first used in September, 1964.
Following the consolidation with Wheeler School, a kindergarten room and three other classrooms were finished. In 1971 plans were begun to complete the pool area. A referendum was held in 1972 and a bid of $80,039 was accepted. The pool was first used in the spring of 1974. Up till this time, the pool area had been used as storage of fire equipment by the volunteer fire department. After ten years, the new school was totally in use.
In 1976 a new addition on the east end of the school was begun. The addition included a large library area, a science room and three other classrooms.
Consolidation Issues
Primarily because of the size of our student popluation, consolidation has been a recurring issue for Hollis School District #40. In 1957 consolidation with Mapleton, Maple Ridge, and Wheeler was discussed and voted against by the community by a 34-3 voted. In 1959 consolidation with Wheeler School was again discussed, and while both districts were in favor of the consolidation, discussions were discontinued in early 1960.
When a high school for the Limestone area was being discussed in 1966, and the area grade schools were questioned about the forming of a unit district, Hollis' residents voted to be excluded from the proposed unit district.
In 1969, talks began again with Wheeler School District #44. At that time discussions were being held concerning the forming of a unit district around Glasford. Hollis and the northern portion of Wheeler School District voted to form Hollis Consolidated School District #328. The first meeting of the new Board of Directors was held July 22, 1969. Its members were: Joseph E. Hubbard, Stanley G. Gruber, Thomas Gaffney, Antonne J. Schwindenhammer, Clifford G. Knepper, John H. Stauthammer, and Kenneth A. Gregory.
For nearly 20 years consolidation wasn't discussed again. In 1988 discussions were begun with Limestone-Walters. Nothing however resulted from the discussions.
I
n 1994, a four school consolidation study was completed with Oak Groove, Bartonville, Monroe, and Hollis. In 1995, a study was conducted between Limestone Walters and Hollis. Because of potential loss of state aid and increases in local property taxes, both studies were discontinued.
Currently (1996), we're beginning a study with Bartonville into the possiblility of consolidation.
Early History of Hollis (1860-1936)
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Used with permission from District #44.
Maple Ridge School
District #41
District Number 41 of Peoria County, known by the name of Maple Ridge, is one of the oldest districts in the county. This history starts in April, 1838 when the people of the township got together and elected school trustees for the arrangement of districts and the bidding of schools. One month later the board divided the township and district #2, now district 41, laid out and plans for erection of a school were made. These plans were carried out the following summer when a log structure was put up on land owned by Aphelia Buck. The building was made of round logs and had a puncheon floor. The only light that they had was a few holes cut in the wall and cover by greased paper. An open fireplace with a large mud and stone chimney furnished the heat. The entire building was constructed without the use of nails or wire, but was made from native, unmanufactured material. On cloudy days, they could see so poorly that they only studied spelling and this was done orally, the teacher standing by the door, where there was some light and reading the words from the bible. This school caught fire and was destroyed in 1850. A new building very similar to the first was constructed at the same place as the first but was later moved to the site of the present school. This building was used for nearly fifty years.
In 1904 a new frame building was constructed. This building was modernized from time to time to keep up with the newest of ideas. It has a large blackboard and a good heating and lighting system and the library has been added to from time to time until it is fairly large.
John Hayes
In 1935, a teacher in Maple Ridge School signed a contract for $65 month for an 8-month school year.
(Dismissal by May 1 was common among rural schools, allowing the students to help with summer farm work.)
Mapleton School
District #42
Mapleton School District Number 42 of Peoria County, was organized in the year 1862, the first school house being built on the bluff North of the village of Mapleton and the first teacher was Grace Jerusha Guyer who taught two terms. At this time, to be a school teacher, a person had to apply to the township Board Of Trustees. They would interview him or her and decide whether they were capable. A woman teacher was paid about $30 a month; a man about $40 or $45, depending on the enrollment. This included keeping the rooms clean and carrying in the coal and wood for the stove and carrying out all the ashes. In some cases, even carrying the drinking water in a bucket from in a bucket from nearby wells.
There were too many students attending the school to get proper accommodations by the end of the years, so another building, larger and more appropriate for school purposes, was built in the village proper, on the site which has ever since been used by the district for a school. The average enrollment of this school was 70 students and as the curriculum became larger it was found that this building was very inadequate so in the year of 1918, 46 years after the second building was erected and 56 years after the organization of the district, a new building was erected . This building is a two-room structure, modern in every respect and conforming to the specifications as prescribed by the state laws for a standard school.
On April 27, 1957 an election was held to decide the issue of combining the Maple Ridge School and the Mapleton School. The majority being in favor, the new district became known as Mapleton Consolidated District #317.
In 1958 the school bought three acres of the Ot Walker farm adjoining Mapleton from Vernon Dowell and built a four-room Butler, metal building. In 1964 two and one-half more acres were purchased and a brick building was erected consisting of six rooms and a gymnasium, also office room. In 1968 a Unit School District was formed by a popular vote, which meant that the high school District #159 and all grade schools would have the same boundary lines and be known as #327.
On December 4,1974 the lots and building of the old school in town were auctioned off and purchased by Kenneth Calhoun.
The Mapleton School also became part of the Illini Bluffs School District. Its most recent building was purchased in 2001 by the Hollis Park District and now houses recreational programs.
Martin School
District Number 43
The history of School District 43 dates back as far as 1830 when the first log schoolhouse stood near what is now know as Gailey’s Corner, one half mile north of the present location of the school.
The building was used more for recreational and religious activities than for educational purposes, as there the Gospel was preached each Sunday, while at various time the old time spelling bees and singing schools were enjoyed by many of the surrounding neighborhood.
This rude structure was destroyed by fire in the early 40’s, and a similar house was built on the quarter section just north of the plot where the school now stands. Mrs. Jullet was the first teacher to take charge of this school.
Later, in 1856, the first frame schoolhouse was built near the former site, and was known as District 4, the fourth district to be organized in Peoria County until the schools were arranged in alphabetical order of the township. This school was given the name of Martin in honor of Squire Martin upon whose estate the building stood. Andy Parr, Charles Taggut, Maggie Harrizon, and A.E. Taylor were a few of the first teachers in charge of District 4.
On July 21, 1884, a contract was signed for the present Martin School which was completed September 1, 1884. James Wood, contractor of Pekin, Illinois was paid one hundred seventy-five dollars for putting up the building.
One acre of land was purchased at a cost of sixty dollars from Mr. Burns for the school ground. Kate Darling was the first teacher in the new building.
Two of the districts well know citizens during their early times were Uncle Bob and Aunt Nellie Ann Gailey, who settled in the north part of the district in 1848. They were first aid in sickness, and in case of death Uncle Bob Always prepared the body for burial.
James Clark operated a blacksmith shop located on the hillside north east of the Clark Bridge, which crosses the LeMarsh Creek. Mr. Clark was the first treasurer of Hollis Township.
Mr. Jones and Mr. Powell were other early settlers in District 43, the former operating a sawmill on the bank of LaMarsh Creek, while the latter was a farmer.
In the spring of 1936 a special election was called by the board of directors in District #43, Peoria, otherwise know as the Martin School, to discuss the question of building a new school house. At this time it was decided to submit the question to the voter of the people which resulted in almost unanimous vote in favor of building a new school This fine new, modern, one-room school came into existence as a place of public education in District 43 about October 1,1936.
John Hayes
Martin School still exists as a residence at the corner of Tuscarora Rd and Cameron Lane.
The Wheeler School
District #44
The first school that was built in what is now the Wheeler District #44. It was erected in the last part of the first quarter of the 19th century or in the first part of the second quarter of this same century. The exact date has been lost and since there is no one living who can remember back that far, in this community, we can only establish an approximate date, 1830.
This was crude structure built of logs. The split log seats faced the walls and split logs, made as smooth as the tools of those days could fashion them, were attached to the walls and served for desks. This building was placed on land donated by John Duffield and in the early days the school bore his name.
In 1859 this district was divided into the Kingston and the present Wheeler District. The building was erected in the same year and was located one half mile up the LaMarsh Creek from where the present building is situated. The land was bought from John Davis but as the McGrew family was the social elite of the community, the school bore their name. A few years later the building was moved to the site now occupied by the school
John Hayes
The original Wheeler School was located near the intersection of US Route 24 and Cameron Lane; it burned in the 1980s. The second Wheeler School was located near Powell Road off Route 24 and became part of the Illini Bluffs School District. The building later became 'Sidekicks.'
American Aerial 1955
LaMarsh Baptist Church stills stands on Maple Ridge Rd. Mapleton. A large modern addition has been added to the side of the original church. Maple Ridge School was purchased by the church and torn down.
Burned to the ground sometime in the 1980's
Former "new" Wheeler School used as a dance club "Sidekicks" now a church.
Former Martin School now a residence. 2009
Back view of Mapleton School
Hollis School 2009
Mapleton School built in1964 and purchased in 2001 by the Hollis Park District. 2009
Four room Bulter Building erected in 1958 when Mapleton and Maple Ridge School consolidated. 2009
