Sinking Spring, Ohio: The Octagon Schoolhouse
One room, eight sides. Built in 1831. The only one like it in Ohio.
- Address:
- 11 Grand St., Sinking Spring, OH
- Directions:
- On the west side of OH-41/Main St., just north of Grand St. Park on the street, not in the adjacent alleyway.
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Built in 1831, it's the only one like it in Ohio. According to local legend, a wealthy local farmer refused to pay taxes on it because it was ugly. The township treasurer waited until the man's oldest son was in town on errands, impounded his horse, and told the farmer he could have said horse back when he paid up. His children went on to attend the school. The building was used as a military headquarters and for arms storage during the Civil War. The doors are locked but the grounds are well-manicured and there's lots of room for photos.
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In an age before electricity and air-conditioning, an eight-sided schoolhouse offered good light and ventilation -- but had no windowless wall to put up a blackboard.