Simsbury in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

First School House

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, August 28, 2016

1. First School House Marker

Inscription. Site of the first school house in Simsbury

December 17, 1701
“One place at the Plain...
and the first school to begin there”

Erected 1993 by the Terry’s Plain Homeowners Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1701.

Location. 41° 52.89′ N, 72° 46.662′ W. Marker is in Simsbury in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Terry's Plain Road and Wintonbury Road, on the left when traveling south on Terry's Plain Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Terry's Plain Road, Simsbury CT 06070, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley,

in Greater Hartford,

and in the Knowledge Corridor.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Constitution Oak (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First House and Ferry (approx. 0.4 miles away); Militia Training Ground (approx. half a mile away); Simsbury (approx. 1.2 miles away); This Elm Tree (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Landmark Building (approx. 1.3 miles away); Simsbury Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Eno Memorial Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simsbury.

Regarding First School House. At a December 17, 1701 Town Meeting, a special committee approved the building of the first schoolhouse in Simsbury. The school would teach the town’s children reading, writing, and arithmetic. There was much discussion as to the location of the school, since the Town is divided by the Farmington River. The decision was to have the first school open on January 1, 1702 on Terry’s Plain which is located on the east side of the river. From April 1 to July 1, 1702 the students would attended a second school house located in Weatogue on the west side of the river. The schoolmaster would

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, August 28, 2016

2. First School House Marker

The marker is located at 116 Terry’s Plain Road.

be paid 40 shillings for this school year.

The Terry’s Plain School continued until 1930, at which time the students were transferred to the new Tariffville School that was built in 1925. The Tariffville School is also on the east side of the river, located about 2 miles to the north. Simsbury’s first school busing contracts were approved in 1929.

This schoolhouse is located in the Terry’s Plain Historic District which in 1993 became listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also see . . .
1. Terry’s Plain Historic District. (Submitted on March 17, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Simsbury, CT. (Submitted on March 17, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 952 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.