Sodom Schoolhouse
Encyclopedia
Sodom Schoolhouse is a historic octagonal school
in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
reportedly built about 1812, 1835, or 1836 and used until 1915. It is located in a rural area on Pennsylvania Route 45
near several Scotch-Irish communities: the "small group of houses" formerly known as Sodom, which was about a mile east of the hamlet of Montandon, and about 3 miles east of a small town, Lewisburg
.
A cupola and bell once stood above the front door. Stories, or perhaps legends, say that the building of school was delayed by the start of the War of 1812
when the builders went off to war, and not completed until their return from the war. The hamlets of Montandon and Sodom, however, were not established until the 1830s and 1835 is a more commonly accepted construction date.
Several similar octagonal schools were built in Pennsylvania, especially in Chester County
and rural Philadelphia County, for example the Birmingham Friends Octagonal School
(1819) and the Hood Octagonal School
(1841). One source suggests that octagonal schools are related to a Quaker educational movement that started about 1800 in England as the Industrial Revolution
was beginning. Clapham School, built 1810 in or near London, may have been one of the first octagonal schools.
Restoration efforts started in 1935 and were completed in 1961 through the efforts of the Junior Historians Club at Milton High School
.
Octagonal Schoolhouse
Octagonal Schoolhouse, Octagonal School or Octagon School, etc., may refer to any of several octagonal school buildings:* Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse and Octagonal School, Chester County, Pennsylvania, a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places * Sheldon Jackson School,...
in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reportedly built about 1812, 1835, or 1836 and used until 1915. It is located in a rural area on Pennsylvania Route 45
Pennsylvania Route 45
Pennsylvania Route 45 or State Route 45 is an long state highway located in central Pennsylvania. PA 45 is called the Purple Heart Highway.The western terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 453 in the Morris Township near the community of Water Street...
near several Scotch-Irish communities: the "small group of houses" formerly known as Sodom, which was about a mile east of the hamlet of Montandon, and about 3 miles east of a small town, Lewisburg
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Lewisburg is a borough in Union County, Pennsylvania, United States, south by southeast of Williamsport and north of Harrisburg. In the past, it was the commercial center for a fertile grain and general farming region. The population was 5,620 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Union...
.
Architecture
The eight-sided single story school was built of limestone quarried nearby, has a single chimney in the center of the roof, seven windows, and a single door on the south side facing the road. A vestibule was once attached where students hung their coats. The inside was painted slate gray, and a wood-burning stove stood in the center. On the north wall was a blackboard, with a 30 foot long, 10 foot wide, 8-10 inch high platform for the teacher. The teacher's chair and desk were painted red. Two recitation benches faced the platform. Six long rough desks were placed parallel to the walls and two more were placed in the center of the room. Students within a three mile radius attended, sometimes as many as 100 at one time, but usually only 40-60 students attended.History
The name of the school may come from the "Sodom Tavern" which did business in Montandon 1832-1855, or from the hamlet of Sodom which was named by Lot Carson, the owner of another tavern, who died by falling down a well while drunk. Carson may have donated much of the building material to the school. Until 1858 the school building was also used as a Methodist Church on Sundays. It was also used for political meetings and elections.A cupola and bell once stood above the front door. Stories, or perhaps legends, say that the building of school was delayed by the start of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
when the builders went off to war, and not completed until their return from the war. The hamlets of Montandon and Sodom, however, were not established until the 1830s and 1835 is a more commonly accepted construction date.
Several similar octagonal schools were built in Pennsylvania, especially in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
and rural Philadelphia County, for example the Birmingham Friends Octagonal School
Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse
Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse is a historic Quaker meeting house at 1245 Birmingham Road in Birmingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The current meetinghouse was built in 1763 and added to the National Register in 1971. The building and the adjacent cemetery were near the center of...
(1819) and the Hood Octagonal School
Hood Octagonal School
The Hood Octagonal School in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania was built in 1841 and served as a local school into the twentieth century....
(1841). One source suggests that octagonal schools are related to a Quaker educational movement that started about 1800 in England as the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
was beginning. Clapham School, built 1810 in or near London, may have been one of the first octagonal schools.
Restoration efforts started in 1935 and were completed in 1961 through the efforts of the Junior Historians Club at Milton High School
Milton Area School District
The Milton Area School District is a small, rural public school district headquartered in Milton, Pennsylvania. The district is located in Northumberland and Union counties. Milton Area School District encompasses approximately 85 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a...
.