Franklin Township School
Quakertown, New Jersey





Franklin Township School

Franklin Township School was first built in 1850, by the Franklin Education Association. Joseph Cliffton started the idea of a public school in Franklin Township.

The original school was torn down, and replaced by a wooden school in 1912. The original consolidated school was approved in 1936. They did not tear down the wooden school. They built the other school around the wooden school. I am glad that they did not tear down the wooden school.

The land and parking lot cost eighty-three thousand six hundred fifty dollars. Forty five percent of the amount was provided by the Public Works Administration. The balance was forty-six thousand dollars. The township issued bonds for that amount. The addition was bought by Charles Johnson, Albert Shepperd, and Morris Leavor.

The first addition to the school was the West Wing, which was approved by the people, and cost one hundred fifteen thousand dollars.
On June 5, 1959, the school bought 4.8 acres of land. The 4.8 acres of land cost two thousand dollars. The people voted for 4.52 additional acres of land on February 14, 1967.

The school grounds were bought from Irma Snyder for seven thousand one hundred fifty dollars. The funds came from the capital outlay account.
The East Wing was approved on May 14, 1968. They also voted for the gymnasium on the same day. The East Wing cost three hundred thousand the hundred dollars. The gym cost one hundred sixty-five thousand dollars.

The people voted for an additional 20.11 acres of land on May 1, 1973. The land was located on Oak Grove-Quakertown Road. It was purchased from Irma Stout. Those acres cost eighty-three thousand dollars.

The first addition was approved on June 28, 1988. It included an office complex, classrooms and a library. That cost one million, nine hundred fifty-five thousand dollars.

I picked Franklin Township School as the topic of my paper because it has provided residents with a good education for years, and I thought it would be a good topic.

Christian
Spring, 2002

 

Franklin Township School

In about 1754 on Kirchners Corner, the first Franklin Township School was built. In 1810, a teacher names Charles Potts began teaching in a log house. This log house became the second school house.

The first principle was Sydney Keller. There were six teachers. In 1936 the school was moved to make way for Franklin Township. The school board asked the public works of administration for money.

The school had very old recess areas, parking lots and classrooms. In 1956 five more classrooms were added. A second addition was built. In 1936 all the schools had joined together to make one big school. This is school that I now go to. I think Franklin Township School is the best school ever.

Today we have modern classrooms, the use of computers and a playground. We have many more teachers and students than they did back then. We have bus transportation and sports activities.

I picked Franklin Township School as my historical place because it is my school and I think it is the oldest place I know of. Although I would of liked to attend school back in the 1800's just for a chance to experience it. I am glad that I have all the luxuries of today's Franklin Township School.

Alyssa
Spring, 2002

Franklin Township School

To me, the most historical site in Franklin Township is the Franklin Township School. My school! From interviews with my family, reading from books, and knowing some history about our school, I was able to put together some facts. Franklin Township School has been around since the 1930's. Our school is a very old place, but in the past few years the township has tried to update a little at a time.

The school has very old classrooms, parking lots, and also the recess areas. Just last year we received a hot lunch program. Before this we didn't have one. We have an all purpose room which is used for many things, because it is the only room we for this purpose. Some things we do are in there are games and activities. All in all, I do love my school very much. To me, It is alright that it is an old place. It makes our school even better.

Danny
Spring, 2000

Franklin Township School

I picked the Franklin Township School because it plays a part in my life, and the lives of over 350 other children in Franklin Township. It also serves as an employer for over 30 teachers and other workers. It is also the most visited place in Franklin Township by people from outside of the township. People visit the school for school programs, meetings, community athletics, school sporting events, recreation programs, etc.

Most current Hunterdon County residents know how to find the Franklin Township School. The school has been a part of my community since the early 1800's. At that time, the school could only serve 10-15 students, and there was only 1 teacher to teach all of them. Since there was no other means of transportation, people from our widespread township all walked a long distance to the school.

By the late 1800's there were 4 schools in Franklin Township serving students through high school age. A total of 273 students were being taught here, but not all of them were from Franklin Township. At this time male teachers were paid about $35/month and female teachers about $30/month. Many generations of Franklin Township residents have been taught in the Franklin Township School.

The current location of the school was chosen during the depression in the 1930's, and after it was built there were 6 teachers and a principal&emdash;Mr. Keller. The cost of the new school was half paid by the government and half through a 30-year bond. The addition to the school (where the library is located) was built in the 1950's at a cost of over $100,000.

Without the Franklin Township School I would not be writing this project now. I found the information for this report from an article entitled Franklin Township School: from Fairview in Kingwood to Quakertown in Franklin 1813-1992, and from information on the Franklin Township School web site. In addition I spoke to community members who know about our school.

Connor
Spring, 2000


Franklin Township School

The first school in Quakertown was made of logs, just like Abraham Lincoln's cabin. When the new little red schoolhouse was built, the log school was moved in 1817.

The first teacher in the school was Erastus Eno, and then Henry Coats. After that came Israel Clarke in 1823 and then Dr. Henry Race until 1837.

There were other smaller schools throughout the town in the areas of Sidney, Cherryville, and Sunnyside.

In 1850, a stone building that had two stories was built. The school was only on the first floor and the second floor was a meeting room. In this new school, the first teacher was Samuel Peal, and then Charles Kellogg. There are older people in town who today are still alive that had a teacher named Ellias Dalrymple.

In 1936, all the schools were going to be joined together to make one school called the Franklin Township Consolidated School. This was the first of its kind in Hunterdon County.

In 1956, five more classrooms were added. In 1968, a second addition, was built which included the gym. In 1988, the third addition was put on which added the office, more classrooms, and a new library.

In the 1990s a playground was built alongside the school in the back with swings and things to climb on.

In 1983 a man named Barry S. Kramer joined Franklin Township School and is now my fourth grade teacher. In 1991 a women named Tracy Strysky also joined Franklin Township School, and is now my other fourth grade teacher.

Gregory
Spring, 2001




Franklin Township School

In 1752 the minutes of a monthly meeting held in Quakertown stated, " that due to the scarce number of families and some poor financial situations a proposal for setting up a school was denied." A few years later on Kirchner's corner the first Franklin school may have been built. This is based on a lease dated 1756 that was found. It mentioned a corner of land to be used for school purpose only. In 1810 a teacher named Charles Potts began teaching in a log house west of Kirchner's corner. This log house became the second school house. Within a few years the school was relocated to Saint Thomas's church and later became " Bunker Hill School". The school remained there for many years.

On December 23, 1813 a quarter acre of land was given to the Franklin Education Association by Henry Clifton for the school. In 1850 Henry Clifton donated a full acre more of land. A two story stone structure was built. The first floor was used as a school and the second floor was used for a meeting place for the Lackatong Lodge.

In 1912 the stone school was replaced by a wooden structure. $2,000 in taxes were raised in order to complete this project. On August 24, 1936 voters approved the building for the original Franklin Township Consolidated School. Additional land was purchased to complete this project.

I believe that Franklin Township School is the most important historical site because we could be making history with each student. We may be teaching a future president, entertainer, or community leader.

Our school gave all of us the opportunity to reach our goals when the state passed "An Act To Make Free The Public Schools of The State" in 1871. Most of my information was found on the internet and Franklin Township School home page.

Shawna
Spring, 2001




Franklin Township School

The most historic place in Franklin Township is Franklin Township School in Quakertown. It was built in 1937 during the Great Depression. It was first called the Franklin Township Consolidated School.

The first principle was Sydney Keller and there were six teachers. Our former landlady, Elsie Van Wyck, was the kindergarten teacher for 22 years and she taught many of my friend's parents. On the front lawn of the scool is a monument in honor of Franklin boys who died in World War II. Many children have passed through Franklin Township and I am happy to be part of it.

Margaret
Spring, 2000