Purdy School Side View
by Wanda Brandon
Title
Purdy School Side View
Artist
Wanda Brandon
Medium
Photograph
Description
The side view of Purdy School shows ample light from windows for learning by the students in the late 1800s and early 1950s. Purdy, a one-room public school, was built in southern Perry County, Illinois, and served as a school until 1951. Edwin Burbank, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Harold Rice, donated the land to the county on which the school house was built, and four generations of Mrs. Rice’s family attended there. According to tradition, the school’s name came from Mr. E.P. Purdy who helped initiate Sunday Schools in the area and used the school for music and Sunday School classes. The school was eventually donated to John A Logan Community College and now resides on the college campus.
Uploaded
January 8th, 2012
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Comments (3)
Kirsten Giving
Hello Wanda! This certainly brings back happy memories for me as I attended one almost identical to it in Lakeville, MN, when we lived on a farm. I was the only student in the 4th grade. I remember the cloak room on one side of the entrance and an all purpose room The old stove kept us warm. The school was on a farmer's property, and after the school closed, they took it back to use as a store room. Alas, it burned down. At least, I saw it one extra time when my sister and dad visited the family a few years back. These are iconic structures and I'm so glad to see this one preserved. A fav from me! Kirsten
Wanda Brandon replied:
Kirsten, thanks for sharing your story. I have been trying to find those left in my county. My earliest school was three rooms, first, second, third; and fourth fifth and sixth; and seventh and eighth,