On 5/29/14 we took the following photos:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
McAuley School, West Chicago, IL
We used to live in Geneva, and passed this school often. It is located west of West Chicago on Illinois Route 38 (Roosevelt Rd), south side of the street, address 1820. It is the McAuley School, District 27, and is now a museum and used for school field trips. We were on our way home from Milwaukee's Irish Fest in August 2008, and decided to come through our old neighborhood in the Chicago area. While there, we made sure we drove by this school to get some shots of it. Built in 1913 on site of an older building.
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This post was transferred from our other school blog when we separated Iowa from the rest of the states. The following comments were posted.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI went to school here from preschool through 6th grade. I loved every minute of it and still remember all of my teachers. It was an experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. Thank you for putting this picture out there, it helps me go back in time to a simpler world.
April 26, 2010 9:32 AM
The Piper's Wife said...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It was wonderful to hear :oD
April 26, 2010 6:42 PM
Erin said...
ReplyDeleteMy sister & I actually attended the last 2 years it was open. On the very last day, I remember everyone crying (including the teachers) while everyone was giving each other hugs. Didn't realize then how great we had it! Thank you So much for putting these pictures up! .. Such Great memories!
September 9, 2010 6:05 PM
Contact me at myfirst1@hotmail.com . we are organizing a group to save McAuley School and restore to operating living history museum. Lets talk
DeleteThe Piper's Wife said...
ReplyDeleteDear Erin,
I hear the same thing over and over about other students who didn't realize how special their schooling was until it was over. Thank you so much for your special comment! :oD
September 9, 2010 6:37 PM
I attended school at McAuley and remember all of the great educators that taught there while I was a student. Ms. Stone, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Whitmire, Ms. Gretty, and Ms. Large will forever hold a place in my heart. I will also remember the my fellow students and all of the great times we had. I remember eating our lunch to classical music, and gathering elder berries to make jelly with. Thanks, McAuley School!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Stone died last week (11/21/17) in DeKalb at the age of 88.
DeleteDear R. Blakeslee,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear of your precious times in the McAuley School. Thank you so much for your comment.
I went there from preschool until 4th grade and they are the happiest moments. The teachers that someone else listed were incredible and so passionate about teaching. I remember the classical music at lunch, Spanish, prairie walks and the awesome program nights. It seems like a lifetime ago. Also something you can't explain to those that didn't attend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting our blog. We've studied much about one-room schools in Iowa (as you can see from the many more schools we have on that blog) and almost everyone has fond memories of those days. We are glad to see people finding these photos and jogging memories.
DeleteI don't remember it being a museum, but it is not one now. Unfortunately, the school district is just letting it fall apart. It's a shame.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to create a dialogue with the Dist. We are going to rescue restore McAuley School and make it into a living history museum. We are going to try. Watch for a website a FB page and a go fund me page.
DeleteWhen we used to live in Geneva, long before photographing schools, we were told this school was preserved as a museum and that it was regularly used for school field trips. We never visited it, so I cannot verify one way or another if it was indeed used as a museum.
ReplyDeleteOn June 14, just over a week ago, we were in Geneva and drove past the school on our way to Morton Arboretum. It was in very, very sad shape. Yes, it is a shame.
Do you have any additional information on the school? I grew up in the area and am now a teacher, and I'd love to know more. It's such a disappointment to watch the deterioration of such and important place, and I'm wondering if anything is currently being done to advocate for its preservation/restoration.
ReplyDeleteThe Restoration and Recovery Foundation is considering trying to save McCauley for educational purposes. However, it is very difficult to get any information on the property. There doesn't seem to be any group working to save it although some years ago there was a small group who tried and apparently disbanded.
DeleteNow that is just sad.
DeleteContact me at myfirst1 @hotmail.com we are going to try to save McAuley School
DeleteHi Emy,
ReplyDeleteNo, don't know anything else about it. Just that we used to live in Geneva, and knew about the school, so we finally photographed it.
here's hoping some one can come up with a solution on saving the school from the wrecking ball. we have lost way to many historic places from the past.
ReplyDeleteWent to School there, so said to see it crumble.
ReplyDeleteHere is some links to the latest Info:
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2014/04/01/west-chicago-schoolhouse-named-to-10-most-endangered-historic-places-list/acinj01/
https://www.facebook.com/McAuleySchool
http://www.landmarks.org/ten_most_2014_mcauley_schoolhouse.htm
Contact me at myfirst1 @hotmail com. We are going to try to save McAuley School
DeleteHi Charles,
ReplyDeleteThanks for those links! In case the links are removed, here are citations:
First link, dated 4/1/14: WEST CHICAGO – McAuley Schoolhouse in West Chicago has been named to Landmarks Illinois' 2014 list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in the state.
The schoolhouse, located at 1820 W. Roosevelt Road, was the last functioning one-room school in Illinois when it closed in 1992, according to a Landmarks Illinois news release.
Built in 1913, the structure remains the responsibility of West Chicago Elementary School District 33, but the building is in a state of disrepair with no plans for its future use, the release stated.
Its location on Roosevelt Road puts the building at risk of being replaced by commercial development, according to the release. Past discussions have included the possibility of moving the schoolhouse into town.
"Its simplicity and sturdiness make the one-room schoolhouse an excellent reuse candidate, and the level of community interest in saving the schoolhouse is high," the release stated.
Second link being Facebook can only be accessed by those with FB.
ReplyDeleteThird link: McAuley Schoolhouse
1820 W. Roosevelt Road, West Chicago
(DuPage County)
The McAuley Schoolhouse was the last functioning one-room school in Illinois when it closed in 1992. The schoolhouse is a simple frame, one-story building built in 1913. It is located on land that was donated by homesteader George McAuley in 1857. A school operated continuously on this land for 135 years. McAuley School is now vacant and surrounded by farmland and a landscaping business.
The school was shuttered in 1992 when West Chicago School Districts 33 and 27 merged. West Chicago School District 33 is still responsible for the structure’s security. The building is presently in a state of disrepair with no plans for its future use or disposition. Its location on the edge of Roosevelt Road (Hwy 38) – a busy four lane highway – near Fabyan Road puts the school at risk as the area continues to see commercial development. Over the years there have been discussions about moving the schoolhouse into town, but there is question whether this is possible based on legal agreements from the school district merger and whether such a move would put the structure into public or private ownership.
The level of community interest in saving the schoolhouse is high. Despite the District’s inability to provide financial support for a renovation project, the Board is hopeful that a proposal will emerge for its reuse. Throughout the local campaign to find a suitable reuse for the historic Wiant House (2013 Ten Most), there was much public comment about the future of the McAuley Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse served many generations of residents in West Chicago and DuPage County. People have fond childhood memories of their time at McAuley and want to share these experiences with their children, grandchildren and others.
Because of its simplicity and sturdiness, the one-room schoolhouse is an excellent reuse candidate. There are examples that have been reused as museums, learning centers, community gathering places, offices and stores. Chicagoland examples include commercial reuse of the Yunker School in Orland Park and public and educational programming at two one-room schoolhouses owned by the McHenry County Historical Society.
On a different school, has anyone ever heard of a one room school that I've heard called Hammond, Greek, or District 8? It was on Smith Road in St. Charles, Illinois right across from WalMart. Especially would love to see pictures of it. I grew up in the building long after it was made into a house. It was razed about 1998 for widening Smith Road. Thank you for any info!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI can't help you, but perhaps someone reading this article may be able to help you.
Historical land Mark 1986.Historial society has dropped the ball
ReplyDeleteAm working with historical museum among other principles to rescue and restore McAuley School. McAuley School and the historical museum are the only 2 bldgs in West Chicago that are on the National Registry. Watch for a website a FB page and a go fund me page.
ReplyDeleteHello. We are making an effort to rescue and restore McAuley School in West Chicago Il. We need to honor the gift of Farmer McAuley and the years of dedication of Faye Stone and the good works of Dist 27. I am meeting with City Council 9/4/18 and Dist 33 on 9/6/18. Interested in the outcome?
ReplyDeleteHello Fergie,
DeleteYes I would love to hear what transpires with you meetings.
We had a group that went through this already and did not get any results. So hopefully you have better luck.
We have established the McAuley School Restoration Initiative, a non profit
ReplyDeletewith a 501C3 Awaiting State of Illinois approval. We will soon be starting a go fund me page to Rescue Renovate and Restore McAuley School.
Just finalizing some details with The West Chicago Historical Society, the City and Dist 33 so we can take possession of the building and land.
****Please watch our Facebook page and help us save this piece of history.
It is one of only two buildings in West Chicago on the National Registry of Historic Places...but also on the Most Endangered Historic Places list
We used to live in Geneva, and passed this school often. It is located west of West Chicago on Illinois Route 38 (Roosevelt Rd), south side...
Good luck Fergie I hope you succeeded lots of history in that tiny school.
DeleteI love local history and drove by recently. It's still standing but grows more dilapidated and overgrown. I wonder - if it is listed an the National Registry of Historic Places, perhaps West Chicago (who owns the property) might be convinced to take care of the property. West Chicago for years was known as a street gang infested town. Yet they longed to be like Naperville, with an interesting history and people eager to live there. This school is on Roosevelt Road, a main road through West Chicago. Spending money to improve and maintain it would give West Chicago the look of a historical town (like Naperville) that embraces its history. I found the following about the property being on the National Registry of Historic Places that might convince West Chicago to start taking responsibility:
ReplyDeleteListing a property on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in the United States can offer various benefits to property owners and the community. The National Register is the official list of properties recognized for their historical significance and is administered by the National Park Service. Here are some key benefits:
Historical Recognition: The primary benefit is the recognition of a property's historical significance. Listing on the National Register acknowledges the property's contribution to the nation's history, culture, and heritage.
Preservation Incentives: Property owners of National Register-listed properties may be eligible for certain federal and state tax incentives to support the preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures. These incentives can include tax credits for rehabilitation expenses.
Access to Grants and Funding: Being listed on the National Register can make property owners eligible for grants and funding opportunities from various sources, including government agencies and nonprofit organizations dedicated to historic preservation.
Public Awareness and Promotion: National Register listing increases public awareness of the historical significance of a property. This recognition can lead to increased tourism, community interest, and local pride.
Heritage Tourism: Historic properties often attract heritage tourism. Visitors interested in history and culture may be drawn to National Register-listed properties, contributing to the local economy.
Educational and Interpretive Opportunities: National Register listing can open doors to educational and interpretive opportunities. Property owners may collaborate with local historical societies, schools, and other institutions to provide educational programs and interpretive materials about the property's history.
Protection Under Federal and State Laws: National Register listing does not impose restrictions on private property owners, but it can provide protection under federal and state preservation laws. For example, federal agencies must consider the impact on listed properties when planning projects that could affect historic resources.
Enhanced Property Value: Some studies suggest that being listed on the National Register may positively impact property values. The historical significance and unique character of a listed property can make it more attractive to certain buyers.
Community Pride and Identity: National Register-listed properties contribute to a community's sense of pride and identity. They are integral to preserving the cultural heritage and character of a region.
Documentation and Research Opportunities: Listing on the National Register encourages the documentation and research of a property's history. This process can uncover valuable information about the property and its role in the community.
It's important to note that while the National Register listing provides recognition and potential benefits, it does not impose strict restrictions on what property owners can do with their properties. Preservation efforts often involve collaboration between property owners, preservationists, and local communities to balance the protection of historic resources with property owner rights and needs.