Before we continue this series relevant to the many district school in the Township of Guilford, we will backtrack to last weeks’ article “The Ives Settlement School.” This writer has been forwarded a copy of a photo (shown) identifying it as the Ives Settlement School about the year 1890. If this photo is not identified correctly, this writer will stand corrected at my e-mail; pfscott@frontier.com.
It is regrettable that we do not have a photo of the South Hill district school however as of this date a schoolhouse photo has not surfaced. If anyone does have a photo, this writer would like it e-mailed to me at the above address and it will be included in a future article. As related in the numerous articles that this writer has written previously, the pages of the book remain open for new historical information!
Where in the world is South Hill, well there are a couple of different routes that one may take, however the road has been closed for the winter. Going towards Bainbridge on County Road #38 you will notice a road sign that is named Hohrieter Road. This is a left hand turn coming from Guilford. Follow this road till you come to the junction of Hohrieter and Charles Wicks Road, a four corners, if you turn right at the 4 corners, that is the old South and is located in the South Hill State Forest. If you want an adventure continue straight on Hohrieter through the state forest until you will eventually be in Ives Settlement. For the adventurous soul! Back to the history of the school which was located on this now abandoned road.
This writer is going to quote directly what the late Walter Ubele recorded in his documentation of the histories of Guilford’s district schools. “Up Ives Settlement Road, about a mile, there is a dirt road going to the left. It is partially hidden by trees! This road, if one cared to climb uphill, will take the hiker to South Hill. Quite a ways up there is an old cemetery (note: was this cemetery documented by the late Tom Lloyd?), the site of one of the earlier schools in Guilford. It is District #18, South Hill School. The original building is no longer there, but the remains of the foundation may still be seen. The unique thing about this school is the fact that, adjoining school grounds, just outside the back door, practically, a small cemetery. The cemetery is still there (bear in mind this was written several years ago), somewhat neglected, to be sure (note: what’s new with abandoned cemeteries). There are still many old gravestones, bearing the names, familiar names of many of the present day residents of Guilford.
