A recent ice cream social at the Linn School offered residents an opportunity to walk into Marion’s past. This historic landmark was built in 1897, just two miles north of Marion on State Route 4. While there were 130 such schools in Marion County, this is one of the last to have stood the test of time, thanks to the work of many generous donors, leaders and volunteers.
“This is window into a different time. One teacher, usually a young woman, taught children from first through eighth grade,” said Brandi Wilson, executive director of the Marion County Historical Society. “Instead of Chrome books, these students wrote on slate boards. In the winter, the teacher would arrive early to start a fire.”
Brothers Lead Effort to Save the School
The school closed in 1942. The landmark has been preserved with the help of many local partners and supporters. The effort was started by two brothers who were students there. Oliver Hamilton attended the school from 1909 to 1914. Merle Hamilton attended the school from 1913 to 1920. The brothers, both in their 90s, retired from the family’s quarry business in 2000.
In 2002, they purchased the building, which they later donated to the Historical Society. The philanthropists partnered with the Marion County Historical Society to restore the structure to its original condition. They donated $100,000 for repairs, which was combined with other charitable funds.
“These brothers had a passion to preserve this piece of their history,” Wilson said. “This was a true labor of love.”
The school was dedicated in 2004. Volunteers used stories from Merle and Oliver to educate visitors on what school was like a century ago. The restoration project received multiple awards.
New Challenge: Semi Slams into School
The effort to preserve the past faced a new challenge on July 30, 2019. A semitruck driver lost control and slammed into the school. While the driver was unharmed, the semi went through a wall and was wedged inside the structure. Wilson immediately called in Quality Masonry Co. of Marion, which did the original restoration work.
“This was the most stressful day on this job,” Wilson said. “Everyone on site wanted to remove the truck, but Quality Masonry said the entire school would collapse if they did.”
The masons shored up the building so the semi could be removed without causing further damage. After contractors cleaned up the spilled diesel fuel, the masons started restoring the building, saving as many of the original bricks as possible, but there were not enough.
On the day the masons said they needed more bricks, a Marion woman named Bonnie Bell said her family had bricks from an old schoolhouse on their property. It had been toppled by a tornado in 1947. She wanted to donate them for the Linn School repairs.
“The 500 she donated were exactly what we needed,” Wilson recalls.
The trucking company paid $64,000 for the careful restoration. All signs of the damage have been erased.
Restored School Reopens
While closed during the COVID-19 pandemic shut-down, it reopened in 2022. The Historical Society and Marion City Schools offer periodic tours to walk into Marion’s history over the summer and appointment.
For More Info:
For more information about Linn School or to schedule a tour, contact the Marion County Historical Society at www.marionhistory.com or call 740-387-4255.
Upcoming Events
Events from July 23 – November 1Marion County Historical Society
MarionMade! is a program of Marion Technical College.
