Eagle Harbor Schoolhouse
Encyclopedia
The Eagle Harbor Schoolhouse is a school located at the corner of Third and Center streets in Eagle Harbor, Michigan, United States
, and is significant as the location where Justus H. Rathbone
was first inspired to write the ritual which was the basis of the Order of the Knights of Pythias. The schoolhouse was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1972. It is also known as the Pythian Shrine and as the Rathbone School.
In about 1859 or 1860, Justus H. Rathbone
began a stint as schoolmaster at the school. Rathbone had moved to the Keweenaw Peninsula
in 1857 on the advice of his doctor, and taken a position as schoolmaster and part-time clerk at the Central Mine
. He later moved on to schools at the Northwest Mine, Eagle River, and to this schoolhouse in Eagle Harbor. While teaching at Eagle Harbor, Rathbone and his friends formed a dramatic society and staged plays, including John Banim's "Damon and Pythias
." The themes of friendship in the play inspired Rathbone; according to him:
During his time teaching in Eagle Harbor, Rathbone wrote the ritual which became the basis for the Order of the Knights of Pythias. Rathbone himself stayed in the Keweenaw only until 1861, when he learned of the death of his father. The Order of the Knights of Pythias was officially founded three years later in Washington, D. C., and was dedicated to the principles of "friendship, charity, and benevolence."
The schoolhouse continued to serve the community intil 1892. In the 1920s, the Pythians purchased the schoolhouse and added a gable roof to existing belfry. A bronze memorial to Rathbone was erected nearby in 1931, and the building currently functions as a Pythian shrine. In 1971, the historical importance of the site was recognized by its designation as a Michigan State Historic Site, and the following year it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1982, the schoolhouse was deeded to the Keweenaw County Historical Society. The Society furnished the interior as a period school, and included exhibits related to the Knights of Pythius. The building is open to the public during the summer and early fall.
d roof measuring twenty-four feet by twenty-four feet. The structure is covered with clapboard
siding pierced by sash windows covered with shutters. The shingled gable roof has cornice
returns, and a gabled belfry
frame sits on one end of the roof.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and is significant as the location where Justus H. Rathbone
Justus H. Rathbone
Justus Henry Rathbone was the founder of the international fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias. He graduated from Colgate University and attended Carlisle Seminary. He was a music composer and actor. In 1863 he moved to Washington D.C...
was first inspired to write the ritual which was the basis of the Order of the Knights of Pythias. The schoolhouse was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1972. It is also known as the Pythian Shrine and as the Rathbone School.
History
The Eagle Harbor Schoolhouse was constructed in 1853 by local builders, and opened to serve the community's children that same year. It was the first schoolhouse built in the area.In about 1859 or 1860, Justus H. Rathbone
Justus H. Rathbone
Justus Henry Rathbone was the founder of the international fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias. He graduated from Colgate University and attended Carlisle Seminary. He was a music composer and actor. In 1863 he moved to Washington D.C...
began a stint as schoolmaster at the school. Rathbone had moved to the Keweenaw Peninsula
Keweenaw Peninsula
The Keweenaw Peninsula is the northern-most part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It projects into Lake Superior and was the site of the first copper boom in the United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was roughly 43,200...
in 1857 on the advice of his doctor, and taken a position as schoolmaster and part-time clerk at the Central Mine
Central Mine Historic District
The Central Mine Historic District is a historic district located off US 41 in Central, Michigan. The mine itself was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1958, while the surrounding district was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973 and listed on the National Register of...
. He later moved on to schools at the Northwest Mine, Eagle River, and to this schoolhouse in Eagle Harbor. While teaching at Eagle Harbor, Rathbone and his friends formed a dramatic society and staged plays, including John Banim's "Damon and Pythias
Damon and Pythias
In Greek mythology, the legend of Damon and Pythias symbolizes trust and loyalty in a true friendship.- Greek legend :As told by Aristoxenus, and after him Cicero , Diodorus Siculus , and others, around the 4th century BC, Pythias and his friend Damon, both followers of the philosopher...
." The themes of friendship in the play inspired Rathbone; according to him:
- "The idea [of establishing a fraternal order] presented itself to me one day while reading over the play at the school-house. It then occurred to me that there was an excellent foundation in the story of Damon and Pythius for a fraternal secret society. The high type of friendship therein protrayed seemed to me to be the basis upon which such a society could and should be established."
During his time teaching in Eagle Harbor, Rathbone wrote the ritual which became the basis for the Order of the Knights of Pythias. Rathbone himself stayed in the Keweenaw only until 1861, when he learned of the death of his father. The Order of the Knights of Pythias was officially founded three years later in Washington, D. C., and was dedicated to the principles of "friendship, charity, and benevolence."
The schoolhouse continued to serve the community intil 1892. In the 1920s, the Pythians purchased the schoolhouse and added a gable roof to existing belfry. A bronze memorial to Rathbone was erected nearby in 1931, and the building currently functions as a Pythian shrine. In 1971, the historical importance of the site was recognized by its designation as a Michigan State Historic Site, and the following year it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1982, the schoolhouse was deeded to the Keweenaw County Historical Society. The Society furnished the interior as a period school, and included exhibits related to the Knights of Pythius. The building is open to the public during the summer and early fall.
Description
The Eagle Harbor Schoolhouse is a square building with gableGable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
d roof measuring twenty-four feet by twenty-four feet. The structure is covered with clapboard
Clapboard (architecture)
Clapboard, also known as bevel siding or lap siding or weather-board , is a board used typically for exterior horizontal siding that has one edge thicker than the other and where the board above laps over the one below...
siding pierced by sash windows covered with shutters. The shingled gable roof has cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
returns, and a gabled belfry
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
frame sits on one end of the roof.