For one of the final chapters of school history, we return to the village of McDonough for a look at the historical information relevant to the above district educational building. Located on what is known as Great Lot #62 which was located just south of the village on the county road which takes you to Smithville Flats. As the research has been previously documented, it will be quoted verbatim and with this segment the photo of the McDonough Union School as it appeared about 1922.

With the population changes, the cost of maintaining the one-room schools, we assume difficulty in obtaining qualified teachers, it was apparent to the trustees of the assorted school districts that consolidation was the only solution to this problem.

“A new building was erected in 1914 to the cost of $4, 800. Its location was changed to Great Lot 62, just south of the building. (Note: this information is related above, not meant to be a duplicate). All the districts consolidated except for those who may have actually been closer to Oxford. The last district to comply with the consolidation process was the Shore District, which I presume was District #9.

“The plans for the new school structure were made by Architect Roy E. Guard of Norwich, the contract for the building was awarded to Herman Hall, and the masonry was done by Everett Wells.

“Professor and Mrs. John C. Hayes and Mrs. Gertrude Lidell were the first teaching personnel in the four room schoolhouse called McDonough Union School. In 1921, the grade advanced to a middle grade school and eventually, it housed all grades through the high school years.

“Before that time students seeking higher education had to go to Norwich, Oxford, and other larger towns around which offered high education.

“Transportation was a large factor in consolidation and for many years in the wintertime, one could see students being conveyed from all around on a sleigh with a cab.