Historic Name

Manchester School

Address

6610 W Lake Road

Municipality

Fairview Township

Tax Parcel

21022011100200

Historic District

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

15902

Historic Function

Education - school

Style

Late Victorian

Built

1897

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

6/27/2016

The Manchester School, or school house number three, built in 1897, was the second brick schoolhouse constructed in Fairview Township. This school replaced the original number three school built on the property of the Swan family, which is located farther east on West Lake Road. Due to the natural slope of the land upon which the Manchester School was built, a walk-out basement was built underneath the school house, which was used for recess during the winter. This one-room school house taught grades one through eight. Grades first through fourth were often taught on the east part of the room, while grades fifth through eighth were taught on the west side of the room. Past students claim that at one point there was a physical divide that separated the room. An outhouse was rebuilt outside the school house in its original spot, and the toilet seat is from the original structure remains. According to former students, a boarding house for teachers was located across Manchester Road from the school house, and students were honored when they were chosen to go to the boarding house and fetch their teacher’s hot lunch during lunchtime. The boarding house is now a restaurant.

The Manchester School closed in 1952. The school house was then used for storage, and has since housed a florist shop, antique shop, and dog obedience school. From 2003 to 2013, the schoolhouse remained abandoned, but has recently been restored for a tavern and event business. The new owners have restored the original chalkboards, the school room floors, the original teacher’s closet, as well as the cobblestone walls and ceiling rafters in the basement. The Manchester School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Sources: Freeman, Sabina. “Fairview Schools Have Long History in Erie County.” Cosmopolite Herald (Girard). February 12, 1976.; The Fairview Area Historical Society, Touring Fairview Township, 2015.

Manchester School National Register Form

Manchester School National Register Form

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Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office