Thorington School – Part Two

Linda’s Monthly Monday Morning Moaning’s for August 7th 2023

Today, is the National Lighthouse Day, so it is a day to give some thought to these giants of maritime navigation that are still trying to survive. While not technically needed to do the jobs their were first intended to do, their historical significance in teaching what life was like, is of such importance especially to the young.

Instead today we are going to go back to some Washington Township history from approximately 5 years ago.

James M. Thorington was born on 26 January of 1837 in Washington Township the son of James and Sally Brown Thorington. His father would work the farm for 30 years being involved with agriculture and buying land. When he retired, he owned 700 acres in Washington. When James M married Mary Starkweather in 1857 and they raised 5 children on their 320 acre farm on Mound Road between 30 and 31 Mile Roads. James Thorington Sr. owned the 1/8 acre on which the school stands, with it being a part of his 158 acre farm. When the elder James Thorington died, his son James M. took over his farm and would continue to lease the school property.

Five years ago I wrote about the school in relationship to the Arcadia Publishing book ‘Washington Township’, I was hoping to bring to the necessary people the sad state of affairs for this important historical Washington Township school building. Over these years the Township Supervisor that is in place now has seen the value in saving this old relic of early education and has been working to make this happen.

With the school building being very near the corner of 31 Mile on Mound Road, the Township Supervisor, has found on 31 Mile, that the Township owns property that will eventually consist of a fire station and park area for use by the residences. The school building could be moved a very short distance and find a new home, with restoration in its future, to use as a teaching program for students. So what’s the holdup?

This is what the school building looked like roughy 5 years ago:

Todays look at the Thornington School:

As has always been said, when neglect is there, nature will surely take over and sadly, neglect is what has happened to this piece of history. So again I mention, ‘What is the hold up’? While the owners, have left this piece of history to rot away, for reasons unknown to myself, for the sixteen years I have been watching this building. They have been approached about selling from many avenues over the years. For the rotting boards being held together, by basically, nobody knows just what. The hole in the roof continues to enlarge, and each winter, we feel will be its last.

The only hope is what the Township can make this happen, and the owners will see the long term value to the Township. Basically they need restore this historic school themselves or sell for a nominal fee to the Township and let them save this school house for future generations to see what life was like in the 1800-1900 educational system. So once again what are you waiting for?

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On that ‘wee note’, till Monday September 4th, 2023, Labor Day!

The two vintage images courtesy of the Greater Washington Township Historical Society, Thorington School today from the authors collection.

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