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[Note: This was written by Elma Sherburne Streeter, Centennial Class of 1919. It is taken from her writing for the 1984 History of Branch County.]
Centennial School District #2 was one of the many one-room school houses in which many of our older residents first went to school. It was a red brick building on a sturdy location at the top of a small knoll, surrounded by trees, and on the southeast corner of a road crossing. On the east and west were three tall windows, with two in the back (south) and the outside chimney between. Each window was gracefully arched at the top, examples of true bricklayers art, as were the bracings that supported the roof.
At the front or north end, a wooden plank porch went entirely across it, with wooden steps on two sides. An entry shed of wood was on the west end. Two sturdy doors opened inward, one in the middle of each side, the one on the left for boys and the other for girls. (We all used the same door as it was small in comparison to the number who once attended.) On the roof was a large belfry that protected the large bell. This was rung by pulling on a rope that went through holes in the ceiling and roof and the sound of the bell could be heard for nearly a mile in any direction.
On the inside, the front was dominated by the teacher’s large desk on a raised platform. On the “boys” side were two rows of shelves for holding dinner pails, caps or mittens, and under them were hooks for hanging coats. There was as small bench under the window, holding the wash basin, also drinking water and dipper.
On the “girls” side was an open closet with shelves inside. As it was somewhat private, it was a good place to fix a petticoat or put on a costume for a play. Next to this was a boxed-in reed organ, which was not used much except for “Programs” or “Socials.” The songs we sang each morning came from a book called “Pat’s Pick,” which had the music, and most had books that had only the words.
The school house was the center of the community. There were many festive occasions. A box social made enough money to buy a new pencil sharpener. For light on these occasions, the four brackets holding kerosene lamps were pulled down, filled with oil, wicks trimmed and chimneys polished. When lit, they were pushed back up again to be out of the way. Heat was furnished by the big Round Oak stove in the middle, near the front of the desks. Its long black stovepipe was held by wires and entered the brick chimney at a hold in the back.
About once a year, “programs” were put on by the teacher so parents could come and see their children act in a play or hear a recitation given in front of the audience. It usually closed with everyone singing well known songs. On the last day of school, there was usually a picnic that usually included ice cream and cake, and the last report cards were given out., announcing promotion to the next grade.
I have loving memories of the lessons taught me in those days of the years I attended the Centennial District #2 school.
Written by Elma Sherburne Streeter
Submitted by: Marian S. G-75-42
 Music Playing - Come Lord
©copyright NCG/MSZ 2007
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